Discover Central

For this special, bonus episode of the Discover Central podcast, we’re joined by Central students and alumni Will Sebag-Montefiore (Just These, Please) and Adwitha Arumugam, Sam Law and Aadar Malik (The Situationalists) to discuss the process of taking their shows, ‘Honestly No Pressure Either Way’ and ‘Dreamliner’ to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

‘Honestly No Pressure Either Way’ plays at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe through 29 August at 19.00 at Gilded Balloon Teviot.

You can find out more about Just These, Please at their website or by booking to see their production, ‘Honestly No Pressure Either Way’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Website.  

Follow Just These, Please and Will Sebag-Montefiore on Instagram.

‘Dreamliner’ plays at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe through 21 August at 18.30 at C ARTS.

You can find out more about The Situationalists by visiting their website or book to see their production ‘Dreamliner’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Website.  ‘Dreamliner’ will also play as a part of the C ARTS Digital programme in December 2022.  Find out more on the C Arts website.  

Follow The Situationalists on Instagram.

** You can access a Dyslexia friendly version of this episode.**

Discover Central is hosted by Shaun Northover and produced and edited by Megan Hunter, Shaun Northover and Scott Bellamy.  Main podcast image by Patrick Baldwin.  Theme music ‘Emotive Technology’ is by High Street Music and has been used with permission thanks to Premium Beats.  With thanks to colleagues, students and alumni of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Discover Central Host Shaun Northover 

Just These, Please - 'Honestly No Pressure Either Way'

The Situationalists - 'Dreamliners'

On the final episode of the third series of Discover Central host Victoria Edwards, Central's Access and Participation Manager, interviews alumni Tim Chaundy and Maame Atuah to talk about all things Central Outreach.

Tim Chaundy is the Curriculum Leader in Performing Arts and Music at City and Islington College, which is part of Capital City College Group, the biggest group of further education colleges in London. City and Islington College offers an extensive range of academic and vocational courses for all ages, including a range of courses in performing arts, music, art, design and fashion. City and Islington College - and Tim - were one of the Central's first Outreach partners. Over the last five years, they have worked together to provide City and Islington College students with a range of workshops, free auditions and tickets to Central's productions. Tim is also an alumnus of Central, having graduated from the BA (Hons) Drama, Applied Theatre and Education Course.

Maame Atuah is an alumna of Central's BA (Hons) Drama, Applied Theatre and Education course and now works at Central in the Student Recruitment and Outreach team as Student Recruitment and Access Administrator. As part of her role, Maame works closely with Victoria Edwards to deliver the School's Outreach programme. She also recently helped to run the Outreach project Small Axe: Big Talks, which encouraged participants to critically explore themes from Steve McQueen's Small Axe films 'Lovers Rock' and 'Education' through their participation in movement, creative writing and devising workshops. Outside of Central, Maame is the Co-Founder of Diversity School Initiative, a nonprofit organisation that was set up to tackle under representation and diversity in UK drama schools.

You can find out more about City and Islington College by visiting their website.

You can find out more about Central's Outreach Programme by visiting the Central website, where you can also read about recent activities including Small Axe: Big Talks.

**You can access a Dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode.**

Discover Central is hosted by Victoria Edwards and produced and edited by Megan Hunter and Scott Bellamy.  Main podcast image by Patrick Baldwin.  Theme music “Emotive Technology” is by High Street Music and has been used with permission thanks to Premium Beats.  With thanks to colleagues and students at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Host Victoria Edwards

Tim Chaundy

Maame Atuah

For the fifth episode of our third series of the Discover Central podcast, we’re joined by Mairi Hayes and Jake Harders, both graduates of Central, who now work across the School's diploma and short courses to find out more about their work.

Mairi Hayes graduated from Central's BA Acting course in 2008, and is now the School's Community Drama and Diploma Manager with responsibility for overseeing the entirety of Central's short course provision. Beyond Central, Mairi has worked extensively as an actor and theatre maker with companies including the West Yorkshire Playhouse, the Roundhouse, the Lowry Theatre in Manchester, the National Theatre, the Southbank Centre, the UK Film Council, BBC and ITV. She has also worked in a broad range of arts community and educational contexts, including work in schools and colleges, youth clubs and theatres, and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

Jake Harders graduated from the BA Acting course in 2003, and alongside his co-course leadership with Mairi of the online acting diploma, he is also a Visiting Lecturer across several of Central's short courses. Jake has travelled the world working as an award winning professional actor in theatre, television, film, and radio. He has also studied with and has been profoundly influenced by many of Jerzy Grotowski's original actors at the Grotowski Centre in Poland. Alongside his extensive teaching schedule, he is currently undertaking research for a PhD on the contribution of Grotowski to UK actor training. 

We’re also delighted to welcome Sonny Kong and Luke Fox, graduates of Central's diploma courses who tell us more about their experiences of studying at Central.

You can find out more about Central’s range of short courses and diploma offerings by visiting our website.

You can also find out more about Access All Areas theatre company, with whom Central partners to run the Performance Making Diploma course, by visiting their website.

**You can access a Dyslexia friendly version of this episode**

Discover Central is hosted by Scott Bellamy and produced and edited by Megan Hunter and Scott Bellamy.  Main podcast image by Patrick Baldwin.  Theme music “Emotive Technology” is by High Street Music and has been used with permission thanks to Premium Beats.  With thanks to colleagues and students at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

Discover Central Host Scott Bellamy

Mairi Hayes

Jake Harders

In March, we sat down with Dr Katharine Low for our fourth episode of Series 3 and a discussion about her research, her newly published book and the work that she and her students have been undertaking over several years and in collaboration with partner organisations in South Africa.

Dr Kat Low is a Senior Lecturer in Community Performance and Applied Theatre at Central with teaching and supervisory responsibilities across the schools undergraduate and postgraduate Applied Theatre courses, as well as research degrees. A research-practitioner in the field of applied theatre and sexual health, she has worked transnationally in South Africa, Tanzania, Europe and the UK. She has a deep commitment to feminist-led research, arts in health and theatre-making in urban settings, and the role of women in theatre.

We were also joined by Alexandra Netea, a final year Contemporary Performance Practice student, who discussed her worth with Kat and artist Erica Lüttich on a project in South Africa.

More information on Kat's work can be found on the Central website or by visiting her website where you can view examples of her work and find a list of her publications, including her new book "Applied Theatre and Sexual Health Communication: Apertures of Possibility". You can also read an interview with Kat on Central's site. 

Information about the Global Challenges Research Fund can be found on the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) website.  

Learn more about Kat's work with Gerard Bester and the Outreach Foundation.

**You can access a Dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode**

Discover Central is hosted by Scott Bellamy and produced and edited by Megan Hunter and Scott Bellamy.  Main podcast image by Patrick Baldwin.  Theme music "Emotive Technology" is by High Street Music and has been used with permission thanks to Premium Beats.  With thanks to colleagues and students at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.  

Host Scott Bellamy

Dr Katharine Low

On our third episode of Series 3, we're joined by Dr Sylvan Baker to discuss his recent appearance on the BBC'S Small Axe: the Podcast, which focused on his experience of growing up in the British care system. We discuss how these experiences have shaped Sylvan's work and research, both inside and outside of Central, including his support for care leaver students.  

We also chat about Sylvan's work with the Verbatim Formula, which he co-founded with Dr Maggie Inchley, a Senior Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London. The Verbatim Formula is a collaborative participatory arts project that has developed verbatim theatre techniques to share the voices of care experienced young people, care leavers and adults responsible for their care and education.

Dr Sylvan Baker is an artist and an academic, a practitioner and researcher working across the fields of applied theatre, socially engaged arts and social justice for the past 30 years.  At Central, he is a Lecturer in Community Performance and Applied Theatre, teaching on both the undergraduate and postgraduate Applied Theatre courses.  Beyond Central, his practice has taken place across the UK and globally in sites in Brazil, the USA, in a diverse range of contexts and communities, and has a specific interest in international interventions in sites of conflict and transitional justice.

We're also joined by Isabelle Kirkham and Sophie Scarlett, final year BA Contemporary Performance Practice students who tell us more about their project with Action for Children, 'My Time in Care'.

And Central's Access and Participation Manager Victoria Edwards provides more information about Central's Care Leaver Support Scheme, which she oversees.

More information on Sylvan's work can be found on the Central website or by visiting the website for The Verbatim Formula.  You can also listen to Sylvan's interview with Ashley John-Baptiste on the BBC's Small Axe: The Podcast or read the accompanying feature on the BBC Website, 'Home and Safety: what the Covid-19 pandemic reminds us about a life in care'.

**You can access a Dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode**

Discover Central is hosted by Megan Hunter and produced and edited by Megan Hunter and Scott Bellamy.  Main podcast image by Patrick Baldwin.  Megan Hunter's photo is used courtesy of Lydia Keen.  Theme music "Emotive Technology" is by High Street Music and has been used with permission thanks to Premium Beats.  With thanks to colleagues and students at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.  

Dr Sylvan Baker

Host Megan Hunter

On our second episode of Series 3, we're joined by Ben Naylor, the course leader for MA Acting Classical, to discuss his research, his work as a director and the recent productions staged at Central for his students, including Hamlet, which will be available to stream on Central's YouTube channel in May 2021.

Ben Naylor is a Senior Lecturer at Central and the Course Leader for MA Acting Classical. After studying ancient history and theology at Durham and Oxford Universities, Ben trained as a director with Sir Peter Hall at the National Theatre, with John Caird at the Caird Company, and with David Lan and others at the Young Vic. Ben has directed numerous productions, readings and workshops, and regularly works internationally in Israel, the United States, Spain, Germany, Greece and New Zealand. Beyond Central, he has taught at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the Young Vic, LAMDA, the Shakespeare Centre, Cambridge University and more. As a practitioner and a researcher, Ben specialises in Shakespeare and the theatre of the English Renaissance, and in acting traditions derived from Stanislavski, European expressionism and the American Method.

We're also joined by Aaron Lynn and Ella Faye Donley, recent MA Acting Classical Class of 2020 graduates and members of the cast of Hamlet, who tell us more about their work on the production and the course.

More information on Ben Naylor's work can be found on the Central website or on his own website.

**You can access a Dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode**

Discover Central is hosted by Megan Hunter and produced and edited by Megan Hunter and Scott Bellamy.  Main podcast image by Patrick Baldwin.  Megan Hunter's photo is used courtesy of Lydia Keen.  Theme music "Emotive Technology" is by High Street Music and has been used with permission thanks to Premium Beats.  With thanks to colleagues and students at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.  

Ben Naylor

Host Megan Hunter

Aaron Lynn

Ella Faye Donley

For the first episode of Series 3, and to commemorate International Women's Day 2021, host Megan Hunter sits down with Dr Naomi Paxton.

Naomi is Central’s Knowledge Exchange Fellow, a Parliamentary Academic Fellow, and an Associate Fellow of the School of Advanced Study, University of London.   Her research focuses on feminist activism, the suffrage movement, and the cultural histories of political and feminist theatre. 

Naomi was an Arts and Humanities Research Council and BBC Radio 3 New Generation thinker, and she continues to speak regularly on BBC radio and television, as well as in other media and at festivals and events.  

In 2018, she was nominated for a Parliamentary Diversity and Inclusion Award for her work with the Vote 100 team, a collaborative project with the University of Lincoln and the University of Plymouth to commemorate the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act. 

Naomi is also an award-winning performer who has appeared on the West End, in national and international touring productions, cabaret, magic, physical theatre, radio drama and comedy.  

Central’s Students' Union Women's Officers Celeste da Palma and Lauryn Jackman also feature to discuss their work with the SU and activities they've planned for International Women's Day. 

More information on Dr. Naomi Paxton's work can be found on the Central website or on her own website where you can also find details about her book and links to her upcoming events, performances and public engagement workshops.

**You can access a Dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode**

Discover Central is hosted by Megan Hunter and produced and edited by Megan Hunter and Scott Bellamy.  Main podcast image by Patrick Baldwin.  Megan Hunter's photo is used courtesy of Lydia Keen.  Theme music "Emotive Technology" is by High Street Music and has been used with permission thanks to Premium Beats.  With thanks to colleagues and students at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.  

Megan Hunter

Dr Naomi Paxton

On this special episode of the Discover Central Podcast, host Scott Bellamy is joined by Central's Lead Admissions Tutor, Charlène Segeral and audition panellist Nathan Armarkwei Laryea, who offer their advice, guidance and insight into the undergraduate audition process at Central.

If you're thinking of joining us for entry in 2021 on one of our undergraduate Acting courses, this episode is packed with practical information that you'll find useful when making your application.

Charlène Segeral is an actor, devisor, and Central's Lead Admissions Tutor. She graduated from the BA Acting Collaborative and Devised Theatre course in 2014, and alongside her professional work as a performer acts as a school's industry liaison. As its lead admissions tutor, Charlène is responsible for coordinating all of the school's undergraduate acting auditions, which is no mean feat.

Nathan Armarkwei Laryea also graduated from Central in 2014 from the BA Acting course. As an actor, he has appeared extensively on stage where he has made multiple appearances on the West End and at the National Theatre, as well as in film and television. Since 2018, Nathan has also been a panellist for Central's undergraduate acting auditions.

More information on Central's three BA Acting courses (Acting, Collaborative and Devised Theatre, and Musical Theatre) can be found on the Central website, including details of how to make your application and prepare for your audition, as well as how you can check your eligibility for a free audition.  You can also find out more about Central's open days.

**You can access a Dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode**

Discover Central is hosted by Scott Bellamy and produced and edited by Megan Hunter.  Main podcast image by Patrick Baldwin. Theme music "Emotive Technology" is by High Street Music and has been used with permission thanks to Premium Beats.  With thanks to colleagues and students at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.  

Discover Central's host, Scott Bellamy

Central's lead admissions tutor, Charlène Segeral

Actor and Central Audition Panellist Nathan Armarkwei Laryea

For the final episode of Series two, host Scott Bellamy sits down with Shaun Northover, Central's Alumni and Events Manager, to discuss the benefits, events and networking opportunities available to Central's graduates.

Through his work in the Alumni Office, Shaun helps to run a variety of events throughout the year, from networking evenings and theatre outings to anniversaries and reunions for classes and year groups.  Throughout the past year, his work has also focused heavily on developing programmes of support for the recently graduated Class of 2020.

Central’s Students' Union President and recent Class of 2020 graduate Parker Hollants also features and shares a message of support and congratulations for the Class of 2020.

More information on Shaun Northover's work with the Alumni Office can be found on Central website, including details of the recently established Pay it Forward scheme, networking events, workshops, reunions and a dedicated programme of support for the Class of 2020.

**You can access a Dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode**

Discover Central is hosted by Scott Bellamy and produced and edited by Megan Hunter.  Main podcast image by Patrick Baldwin. Theme music "Emotive Technology" is by High Street Music and has been used with permission thanks to Premium Beats.  With thanks to colleagues and students at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.  

Discover Central's host, Scott Bellamy

Central's Alumni and Events Manager, Shaun Northover

For episode three of the second series of the Discover Central Podcast, host Scott Bellamy sits down with Ayse Tashkiran, a Senior Lecturer and Central's Co-Course Leader for the MA/ MFA Movement: Directing and Teaching course, to discuss movement direction and the array of work which is being undertaken to embed inclusive practice into Movement training.  In particular, the implementation of multimodal approaches which support dyslexic, dyspraxic and neurodiverse students are discussed.  

They are joined by MFA Movement: Directing and Teaching Alumna Christina Fulcher, whose work and research as a student on the course have carried over into her professional career as a movement director, choreographer, and teacher.  Christina is also the co-founder of Inclusion Collective and was recently awarded the Ivor Guest Research Grant, together with fellow Central alumna Ruth Phillips, by the Society for Dance Research to continue drawing on her research of disability and neurodiversity.   

Central’s Students' Union Disability and Dyslexia Officer Daniella Faircloth also features. 

More information on Ayse Tashkiran's work can be found on her professional website, the website for the Movement Directors' Association which Ayse leads with Diane Alison-Mitchell, and on the Central website.

You can find out more about Christina Fulcher's work on her professional website or by visiting the website for Inclusion Collective. 

Visit the Central website to find out more about Central, including the details of the MA/ MFA Movement: Directing and Teaching Course.  You can also find out about Ayse's colleagues and collaborators on the course, Co-Course Leader Vanessa Ewan and Senior Lecturer Debbie Green, both of whom were mentioned in this episode.

Follow this link to watch a special video about the MA/ MFA Movement: Directing and Teaching course which features an interview with Ayse Tashkiran.  

**You can access a Dyslexia-friendly transcript of this episode**

Discover Central is hosted by Scott Bellamy and produced and edited by Megan Hunter.  Main podcast image by Patrick Baldwin.  Ayse Tashkiran's photo is by Peter Simpkin.  Theme music "Emotive Technology" is by High Street Music and has been used with permission thanks to Premium Beats.  With thanks to colleagues and students at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.  

Discover Central's host, Scott Bellamy

Ayse Tashkiran

Christina Fulcher