Working in youth theatre and educational contexts is an intrinsic part of my theatre making practice. As such, I work regularly with various outreach projects with organisations across Scotland delivering workshops, leading masterclass series, and directing productions. Pedagogically I am rooted in movement-based theatre, and my facilitation style is playful, physical, compassionate, and inquiry led. Each session I lead will be nourishing, inspiring and assured.
My work with young people balances emphasis between product and process.
Throughout, it is process of empowerment, compassion, and joy. Often, we work together creating a brand new theatre production which platforms their voices and opinions. This project’s content is decided on by them, 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.
At the end of the process, the productions are tender, loud, and bold. I am very experienced in making full productions with young people from the ages of 4+ for small- and mid-scale stages. Filled with colour and life, typically these productions are ensemble-based, physical, and involve storytelling.
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.
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. Alongside this work, I regularly facilitate sessions for adults and young people for each outreach department at RCS, and work project-by-project at PACE, in Paisley, and Aberdeen Performing Arts.
I am also now very experienced in leading theatre workshops online, having continuously worked since March 2020 on audition prep, movement-based, and text-based, and devising workshops.
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
