Guy O'Donnell joins Ciaran on this weeks episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Guy studied theatre design at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, before working as a set designer with companies such as Theatre Na Nog. Guy now runs Get the Chance, an initiative which supports people of all ages to review different kind of performances. Guy currently works for National Dance Company Wales, as their learning and  participation producer, also running their Dance for Parkinsons workshops. Here Guy talks about his varied career. 

On this episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Ciaran is joined by writer and theatre academic Emily Garside. After studying History and American Studies at Nottingham University, Emily has pursued a career in playwriting and theatre academia. As a playwright, Emily has written for Clocktower Theatre and The Other Room. Emily has written academic papers on theatre and its relationship to social and queer history, specifically looking at 'Angels in America' and 'Rent.' Recently, Emily has been working with the Sherman Theatre on their 'Heart of Cardiff: LGBTQ+ Stories' as part of their output during Lockdown. Here Emily reflects on her varied creative and academic career.  

Ciaran is joined on this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' is actor and writer Christian Patterson. Christian trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and has gone on to have a successful career both on stage and as a writer. Christian has written pantomimes for Theatr Clwyd, and the Regent Theatre in Stoke. Christian has also been treading the boards as a pantomime dame for the last few years. Christian talk to Ciaran about his varied career in the arts. 

Ciaran's guest on this week's episode of the podcast is writer Manon Eames. After studying at the University of Manchester, Manon worked for Theatr Gorllewin Morgannwg, which made theatre in education for the West Glamorgan Area. Manon has also adapted several novels for the stage and screen, and talks about her adaptation process. Having also written for Pobl y Cwm, Manon is an experienced writer across many mediums!

On this episode of the 'In Lockdown With' podcast, Ciaran is joined by Swansea-based actor Cara Readle. As a child, Cara appeared in the popular CBBC series 'The Story of Tracy Beaker,' and has gone on to study BA Performing Arts at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.  Cara has appeared in several productions with Taking Flight Theatre Company, including 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' and 'Real Human Being.' Cara talks about her career so far, and future ambitions as an actor. 

On this week's episode of 'In Lockdown With...' Ciaran chats to Miranda Ballin, artistic director of Sparc Valleys Kids. Sparc supports young people in the Rhondda in accessing the arts, and has provided incredible opportunities for the young people it works with. Miranda has pioneered partnerships between Sparc and the WMC and Tate Modern. Miranda and the Sparc Team have worked tirelessly during the pandemic to support the young people that they work with. Here Miranda talks to me about her career in the arts!

In the first 'In Lockdown With...' of 2021, Ciaran chats to theatre director Derek Cobley. Derek is a former artistic director of West Glamorgan Youth Theatre, and has worked extensively with young people across the arts in South Wales. Derek's work has also focused on the realm of arts education, ensuring adequate provisions for children and young people in Swansea. Derek is currently working on 'The Many Lives of Amy Dilwyn,' a piece in collaboration with Lighthouse Theatre.  In this episode of the podcast Derek chats to Ciaran about his career in theatre! 

On this Boxing Day edition of 'In Lockdown With...' Ciaran's guest is Cardiff based playwright Lisa Parry! Lisa trained and worked as a journalist before embarking on a career in playwriting. She founded Agent 160 with Sarah Bendelow in 2012 aiming to increase the visibility of female playwrights. Her play '2023,' was produced by Illumine Theatre. It tells the story of Mary, born via sperm donor, who seeks out her sperm donor parent. Lisa's play 'The Merthyr Stigmatist' was set to be performed at the Sherman in Autumn 2020, but was postponed due to Coronavirus.  She is also currently one of Theatr Clwyd's writers in residence. Here Lisa talks to Ciaran about her career so far!     

On this weeks episode, Ciaran is joined by actor Chloe Clarke. Chloe studied Spanish and Politics at the University of Bath, before deciding on a career as an actor. Chloe has worked with companies such as Taking Flight and Graeae, featuring in the latter's acclaimed production of 'The House of Bernarda Alba,' in 2017. Chloe has recently written a toolkit in connection with Disability Arts Cymru, with the aim of developing blind and visually impaired audiences in Wales. 

On this weeks episode, Ciaran chats to writer Peter Cox. Peter studied at St Mary's University in London, before starting his career at the Royal Court. Peter has written for the National Theatre, and also extensively for television. He wrote regularly for the TV soap Brookside on Channel 4. Peter has also been involved in community theatre in South Wales, working with a wide range of artists and young people as a director and playwright. Here he talks to Ciaran about his varied career in the arts