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Marc Brew, Internationally renowned and award winning disabled artist and Artistic Director of the Marc Brew Company, joins me to discuss his powerful new performance An Accident / A Life. Inspired by the car accident that changed his life 27 years ago, the work weaves dance, theatre and live projections to tell a deeply personal yet universal story of resilience, humour and intimacy. Developed in collaboration with Belgian Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, the piece has grown through residencies, creative tasks and ongoing refinement, and will premiere at Sadler’s Wells East, London, 25 to 27 September 2025.

 Marc reflects on the challenges of performing semi-autobiographical material night after night, the importance of maintaining emotional honesty, and the role of humour in connecting with audiences. He shares how the work honours not only his survival but also the memories of friends who did not, creating a conversation with audiences about vulnerability, strength and care.

 My conversation with Marc also explores wider questions of inclusivity and opportunity for disabled artists, from training access to the need for more representative spaces in the arts. Looking ahead, Marc talks about future projects such as Boys Don't Dance, which challenges gender stereotypes for young audiences, while continuing to advocate for diversity and collaboration at the heart of his practice.

 If you want to experience this extraordinary performance in person, tickets for An Accident / A Life at Sadler’s Wells East, London, 25 to 27 September 2025, are available now. Don’t miss the chance to see Marc’s powerful story brought vividly to life on stage. Thank you Marc for your time.

Book tickets HERE!:

https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/marc-brew-sidi-larbi-cherkaoui-an-accident-a-life/

Marc’s links:

Website - marcbrew.com

Applied Theatre Podcast:

X - @Apptheatrepod

Instagram - @AppliedTheatrePod

Email - [email protected]

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#theatre #appliedtheatre #appliedtheatrepodcast #podcast #marcbrew #sadlerswellseast #dance

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts and YouTube (w/subtitles) - Applied Theatre Podcast

Professor Sarah Saddler explores her groundbreaking research on the role of Applied Theatre within corporate settings, particularly across India, South Africa, and the UAE. Drawing from her book Performing Corporate Bodies, she discusses how theatre techniques, such as role play and improvisation are used not just for team-building, but as tools to instil corporate values, promote behavioural development, and align employees with company ideologies.

Sarah challenges the traditional view of Applied Theatre as solely activist or liberatory, arguing that in corporate contexts, these methods often blur the lines between empowerment and control. Through ethnographic case studies, she highlights how theatre is employed in tech firms, luxury brands, and even post-apartheid workplaces sometimes reinforcing hierarchies, other times offering cathartic release or subtle resistance.

Our conversation unpacks how this evolving practice reshapes ideas of community, identity, and agency, particularly in neoliberal work environments. We chatted about navigating the emotional complexity for both facilitators and participants, raising significant questions about the ethics of theatrical interventions in profit-driven spaces. Thank you Sarah for sharing your thought-provoking research exploring the power and politics of Applied Performance in unexpected places.

BUY Sarah’s Book HERE!:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Performing-Corporate-Bodies-Multinational-Performance/dp/1032421428

Sarah’s links:

Website - https://baruch.cuny.edu/profiles/faculty/Sarah-Saddler

Applied Theatre Podcast:

X - @Apptheatrepod

Instagram - @AppliedTheatrePod

Email - [email protected]

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#theatre #appliedtheatre #appliedtheatrepodcast #podcast #SarahSaddler #PerformingCorporateBodies

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts and YouTube (w/subtitles) - Applied Theatre Podcast

Mattea and Lydia form Balancing Act, a theatre company focused on playfulness and storytelling for all. They share their approach to devising theatre that creates inclusive, supportive spaces where participants—regardless of background, age, or experience—can express themselves freely.

They discuss the power of theatre in fostering community. With backgrounds in drama, psychology, Mattea and Lydia reflect on how play can be a tool for well-being, particularly for neurodivergent young people and older adults. Their work brings together diverse groups, from corporate professionals to retired women, emphasising that creativity is for everyone.

The duo shares heartwarming anecdotes of participants forming friendships, supporting each other, and embracing silliness as a form of self-expression. Ultimately, Balancing Act champions theatre as a socially prescribed necessity—an accessible, joyful space where everyone can benefit from play. Whether through improvisation, movement, or devised storytelling, their work proves that creativity has a profound impact on mental well-being. Thank you both for your time.

Balancing Act’s links:

Website - www.batheatre.com

Instagram: @batheatrearts

Applied Theatre Podcast:

X - @Apptheatrepod

Instagram - @AppliedTheatrePod

Email - [email protected]

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#theatre #appliedtheatre #appliedtheatrepodcast #podcast #balancingact

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts and YouTube (w/subtitles) - Applied Theatre Podcast

Episode Summary

Dr. Luke Allder, an applied performance and visual artist practitioner, joins me to discuss the Attune Project, a large-scale research initiative exploring creativity and mental health in adolescents with adverse childhood experiences. Luke, based at the University of Kent, collaborates with a multidisciplinary team across Oxford, Leeds, and Falmouth to develop innovative approaches to youth mental health support.

Luke shares insights into various strands of delivery, where creative workshops—including collage, animation, and dance—were used to engage young people in discussions about their mental health, identifying key protective and risk factors. These findings informed the development of "Validating Voices," a professional toolkit designed to help educators, charities, and healthcare workers foster meaningful conversations with young people about validation and well-being. Throughout our time together, Luke shared his challenges and successes of integrating creative methodologies into mental health support. The conversation highlights the power of creativity, validation, and lived experience in supporting young people through adversity. Thank you Luke for your time.

Lukes links:

Website - https://www.attuneproject.com/https/wwwattuneprojectcom/what-is-validating-voices

https://kar.kent.ac.uk/100356/

Applied Theatre Podcast:

X - @Apptheatrepod

Instagram - @AppliedTheatrePod

Email - [email protected]

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#theatre #applied theatre #podcast #LUKE ALLDER #ATTUNE PROJECT

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts and YouTube (w/subtitles) - Applied Theatre Podcast

Dr. Thalia Goldstein, an associate professor and director of the Applied Developmental Psychology program in the Department of Psychology at George Mason University, released a new book titled 'Why Theatre Education Matters' in the summer of 2024. The book delves into the examination of psychological processes involved when participating in theatre. Dr. Goldstein shares her research findings and provides practical applications for facilitators, educators, and actors. As the practice of Applied Theatre continues to evolve, Dr. Thalia Goldstein's research deserves recognition and consideration when advocating for the pivotal role of drama and theatre in the development of young individuals. Greatly appreciate your time, Thalia. Thank you.

Why Theatre Education Matters: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Theatre-Education-Matters-Understanding/dp/0807769983

Why Theatre Education Matters, published in summer 2024, is a psychological analysis and

description of the benefits of learning how to act and perform. This book looks behind the

curtain of theatre education to see how thinking on stage happens in real classrooms.

Thalia’s links:

Website - https://www.thaliagoldstein.com/

X - https://x.com/thaliagoldstein

Applied Theatre Podcast:

X - @Apptheatrepod

Instagram - @AppliedTheatrePod

Email - [email protected]

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#theatre #applied theatre #podcast #Thalia Goldstein #Why Theatre Education Matters #Psychology

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts and YouTube (w/subtitles) - Applied Theatre Podcast

London Bubble Theatre is situated in South London and primarily operates in Southwark. Marie Vickers, the Artistic Director, enthusiastically detailed the theatre’s exceptional community-facing programmes, showcasing their dedication to providing the community with genuine, adventurous, and thoughtful arts engagement. Their outreach programmes cater to children, young people, and their "Bubble for Older Adults" initiative, offering individuals over 55 opportunities to connect and create. London Bubble Theatre exemplifies how theatre can significantly benefit a community, offering valuable insights into effective community engagement. Thank you, Marie, for your valuable insights.

MAKING THEATRE FROM THE STORIES THAT MATTER TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO CREATE A FAIRER SOCIETY.

We care about creativity, connection and community.

London Bubble links:

Website - https://www.londonbubble.org.uk

Instagram - @bubbletheatre

X - @lbubble

Applied Theatre Podcast:

X - @Apptheatrepod

Instagram - @AppliedTheatrePod

Email - [email protected]

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#theatre #applied theatre #podcast #LondonBubble #Theatre

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts and YouTube (w/subtitles) - Applied Theatre Podcast

Discover the insightful world of "A Pocket Full of Drama" by the talented author Sam Marsden, part of their Drama Resource Book Series. Sam's firsthand experience of teaching in both regular and non-traditional education settings gives you a real feel for how these books are put together. They're written so well for teachers, facilitators, or anyone keen on adding drama to their skill set. Each game and exercise is explained thoroughly and laid out well to make sure the person leading the activity knows exactly what they're doing. I've tried out the books myself and can confirm that there are plenty of really fun, new games to discover. Thank you Sam for your time.

‘Sam's work hopes to empower and spark people's creativity, whether through her drama teaching, teaching resources, or fiction’

Sams links:

Website - https://www.marsdensam.com/

Instagram - @poketfulofdrama

X - @sammarsdendrama

Applied Theatre Podcast:

X - @Apptheatrepod

Instagram - @AppliedTheatrePod

Email - [email protected]

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#theatre #applied theatre #podcast #SamMarsden #Dramaresource

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts and YouTube (w/subtitles) - Applied Theatre Podcast

Computers & Theatre, led by Artistic Director Paul Sutton, revolutionises how participatory theatre is made, accessed and experienced. Our conversation explores their mission to make responsive Applied Theatre accessible to classrooms and participants globally. Their technology ‘Prospero’ is designed to enable access to creative learning in any space with a computer, it is also intelligent enough to complement the pace, style and decision-making of those participating with the hundreds of interactive workshops, performances and lessons available—a huge thank you Paul for your time.

‘C&T is a team of applied theatre practitioners, technologists and researchers, finding new ways of fusing drama and digital technologies. Our award-winning Prospero theatre technology is transforming lives and communities around the world.’

C&T links:

Website - https://www.candt.org/

Instagram - @candt_theatre

Twitter - @c_&_t

Applied Theatre Podcast:

Twitter - @Apptheatrepod

Instagram - @AppliedTheatrePod

Email - [email protected]

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#theatre #applied theatre #podcast #C&T #computers

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts and YouTube (w/subtitles) - Applied Theatre Podcast

Fallen Angels Dance Theatre is led by ‘Artist in recovery’, Paul Bayes-Kitcher. A former professional Ballet Dancer, Paul shared with me his highest highs and lowest lows, detailing how his own struggles with addiction led him to form Fallen Angels. The company which is Liverpool-based, provides outreach in both Liverpool and Chester for those interested in movement, expression and on a journey of recovery. Paul’s story is both inspiring and cautionary. Fallen Angels places ‘emphasis on the group experience, achieving something special together’, as well as combining both professional and community ensembles to produce professional performance. Thank you Paul for sharing your story and detailing the beautiful practice your company produces.

‘Fallen Angels Dance Theatre exist to support those in recovery from addiction and those living with mental health adversity to transform their lives, and share their recovery journey, through dance, performance and creativity.’

Fallen Angels links:

Website - https://fallenangelsdt.org/

Instagram - @fallenangelsrising

Twitter - @FallenAngelsDT

Applied Theatre Podcast:

Twitter - @Apptheatrepod

Instagram - @AppliedTheatrePod

Email - [email protected]

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Subscribe on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts and YouTube (w/subtitles) - Applied Theatre Podcast

The Wallis Annenberg Centre for Performing Arts, in Beverly Hills, California has a new Executive Director and CEO. Robert shared with me the already outstanding work the Wallis has produced to earn its reputable identity within the Beverly Hills community. Roberts vision, driven by the voices of not only those who pre date his arrival at the Wallis, now shifts outwards to his building civic responsibility, hoping to address the boundaries for engagement and re shape the Wallis into a learning, evolving space for the next generation of artists. Thank you Robert for your time.

Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, located in the heart of Beverly Hills, CA, is a dynamic cultural hub and community resource where local, national, and international artists share their artistry with ever-expanding audiences. Distinguished by its eclectic programming that mirrors the diverse landscape of Los Angeles and its location in the entertainment capital of the world, The Wallis has produced and presented more than 400 theater, dance, music, film, cabaret, comedy, performance arts, and family entertainment programs, boasting nominations for 79 Ovation Awards and nine L.A. Drama Critic's Circle Awards as well as six architectural awards. Since its doors opened in October 2013, The Wallis has been committed to robust and distinctive presentations and education programs curated with both creativity and social impact in mind.

Wallis Annenberg Centre links:

Website - https://thewallis.org

Applied Theatre Podcast:

Twitter - @Apptheatrepod

Instagram - @AppliedTheatrePod

Email - [email protected]

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple & Google Podcasts and Youtube (w/subtitles) - Applied Theatre Podcast