We are thrilled to have been in conversation this month with Sam Marsden. Sam has recently published a couple of books to support Drama teachers and theatre practitioners within the rehearsal room/classroom studio.

We've reviewed the books on our blog and you can read more here: https://opendramauk.org/2024/05/07/878/

We hope you will be able to join us at our 'Illuminate North' conference in June where we will be giving away Sam's books; you can book your tickets here: https://lipa.ac.uk/whats-on/illuminate-north-drama-teachers-conference-2024/

This month Holly Barradell is in conversation with Anne Langford, co-creator of Helen Crevel’s original audio piece Seedling – that focuses on potential motherhood, environmental responsibility and consumerism – will be installed alongside a new audio piece for children and young people under 12. Housed in a specially designed space, audiences are once again invited inside to hear the piece, feeling like they are entering a domestic space, someone’s home, with the dome-like shape covered in textiles and fabrics. 

Co-created with Years 3 and 4 at Cottesmore Academy, Rutland, the project captures and amplifies intergenerational stories of multicultural family heritage. Seedling also aims to make discussion around the climate crisis more accessible and more easily understood.

Follow these links to read more about content referred to in the interview:

Understanding Dramaturgy.

Finally, read more about Carbon Theatre and the project here: https://www.carbontheatre.org.uk/seedling

In this month's episode Holly Barradell (ODUK Co-founder) is in conversation with Liam Shea, National Outreach Manager at National Saturday Club.

In this warm and jovial conversation Holly and Liam discuss the performance, theatre and screen strands of the National Saturday Club's offer, why access is so crucial and how we need to engage with student voice for us all to benefit from the next generation!

You can read more about the organisation here: https://saturday-club.org/

You can sign up to their newsletter here

You can email Liam here: [email protected]

Holly Barradell and Alex Duarte - Davies, Director of Get into Theatre talk all about what Get into Theatre is and how it provides support and information for Drama teachers.

This conversation was recorded in person at Mast Mayflower Studios on Friday 13th January 2024 during the Illuminate 24 conference where Get into Theatre were on hand to support delegates and share information.

If you are interested in finding out more about their work click here: https://getintotheatre.org/

Get Into Theatre is the essential website to help you find all the information and opportunities you need to pursue a successful career in theatre in the UK. From backstage to performing, training to apprenticeships, you will find up-to-date theatre jobs information and advice. 

In this month's episode, Ali Warren is in conversation with

Talking all things Backstage, roles and opportunities because "A career in the creative industry especially theatre is niche and the number of Global majorities working within that is a niche group. We want to change the narrative on both aspects."

We are looking forward to Sylvia joining us for the ILLUMINATE 24 conference at MAST in January 2024 too. Don't miss it!

In this month's episode, Ali Warren is in conversation with Helen Barnett, Creative Director of Trestle Theatre Company.

Helen and Ali talk about the power of mask work not only from a Drama academic perspective but also for pastoral and community benefit.

Trestle will be running a workshop as part of the ILLUMINATE 24 conference in January 2024, you can book your tickets for this event here.

In this month's episode, Holly Barradell is in conversation with Fourth Monkey's, Steven Green and Charleen Qwaye, the Fourth Monkey co-founders. 

Steven is the Artistic Director and Charleen is the Director of Training.

They founded Fourth Monkey in 2010 with the mission of revolutionising drama training. The Fourth Monkey Ensemble theatre company gives their actors the opportunity to graduate directly into professional work and their charitable arm provides hundreds of hours of free drama training to young people across the UK. 

Their North London drama school offers accredited undergraduate and postgraduate courses with their unique approach to training.

"Fourth Monkey started life as a revolution. We are grateful to all of those who have been part of our journey and those we are yet to encounter." Charleen Qwaye, Director of Training

In this month's episode we are in conversation with Amit Lahav, Artistic Director of Gecko which was founded in 2001. Their latest production, Kin, which was commissioned by the National Theatre, toured in late 2022 and early 2023 and it takes to the road again this autumn and will be performed at the National Theatre in January 2024. Amit talks with our Champion, Carl, about all things Gecko, family, migration and the story of his life that has shaped the work that Gecko produce.

"...when I make something it has to be personal... everything I make is deeply personal..." Amit Lahav, Artistic Director, Gecko

Read more about Gecko here: https://www.geckotheatre.com/ and their new creation space: https://www.geckotheatre.com/the-creation-space

Read more about their tour of Kin here: https://www.geckotheatre.com/kin

Welcome back to Series 4!

To begin this series, this month Holly is in conversation with Sharon Studer, Chair of theatre works!, a charity that provides theatre tickets to disadvantaged children.

The charity, theatre works!, has been operating since 2021 and has given or committed to give around 4000 tickets to school children aged 7-16.

They target schools and theatres that have the most disadvantaged children; schools must have at least a minimum of 20% Pupil Premium to apply for a grant. Patrons of the charity are Sir Tom Stoppard and Sir Nicholas Hytner. 

Sharon and her husband, Graham Beckett, want to bring the joy and wonder of theatre into the lives of children. They believe theatre can have a transformative effect on children’s lives. 

If you are interested in learning more and engaging with their work then:

Learn more about theatre works! on their website: www.theatreworks.global and through their social media. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_theatre_works/ 

Twitter https://twitter.com/_theatre_works

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/theatreworks.global

In this month's conversation, the last episode of the academic year, Holly Barradell is in conversation with Isla van Tricht - writer, lyricist and sex educator, (More info about Isla and her work here) and Christine Bacon - playwright, producer and Co-Artistic Director of ice&fire theatre. ice&fire theatre was founded in 2003 and explores human rights themes through performance. The Sex Ed Musical was conceived in response to comprehensive sex and relationships education becoming a statutory requirement in UK schools and the growing consensus round sex education being key to fulfilling a cluster of human rights. 

For more info about their touring show The Sex Ed Musical and how to book: https://iceandfire.co.uk/project/in-our-own-words/
The show is an ice&fire production with script and lyrics by Isla van Tricht and music by Guy Woolf.

All material in the show is verbatim, drawn from and extensive interview process and 'listening exercise' with young people across the UK, representing a huge diversity of backgrounds and identities. The show is 60-70 minutes long and followed by an interactive workshop/discussion. Target audience is Year 10 and 11 students.