Working in youth theatre and educational contexts is an intrinsic part of my theatre making practice. As such, I work regularly with various creative learning projects with organisations across Scotland delivering workshops, leading masterclass series, and directing productions. Throughout all of this is a space created for exchange of ideas, histories, and aspirations. Pedagogically I am rooted in movement-based theatre using a multidisciplinary approach, and my facilitation style is playful, physical, compassionate, and inquiry led.
My work with young people balances equal emphasis between product and process.
Throughout, it is process of empowerment, compassion, and joy. Often, we work together creating a brand-new theatre production. Throughout, it is compassionate, encouraging, and celebratory through a process that is adaptable to respond to participants’ ambitions: there is room for new writers, directors, designers, or those who want to stretch themselves. The production’s content is decided by the participants based on their experience of the world, and I bring my experience of making theatre to help them put it together. Projects I lead principally deal in escapism rather than asking participants to perform themselves: I believe that inside a character is a great place to exercise empathy.
I have been working in Youth Theatre contexts since 2010, and most recently led the Beacon Youth Theatre and Young Company in Inverclyde from 2016-2020. In 2017, I joined the RCS Junior Conservatoire lecturing team where I now lead Acting Level 2.
In 2017, How To Solve The World…ish was selected for the Chrysalis Festival as one of two Scottish representatives as examples of engaging, challenging, and high quality work from young companies in Scotland and beyond. YTAS noted that the production “packed a pretty punch in a gentle but thought-provoking way”. The Hearld also reviewed: “In a rich and rewarding weekend of shows, the Greenock company demonstrates the power of a good story colourfully told.” You can read the full review here.
If you would like to discuss any of my work or check my availability then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Header photo: Tim Morozzo
Photos credits, top to bottom: Kevin Dundas,
Tommy Ga-Ken Wan,
Andy Catlin for YTAS
Marianne Yeomans
Nicholas Barton-Wines 