Thomas Maller has gone from 6 people seeing his first show to creating some of the most internationally acclaimed experiences with well known titles such as 'Dr Strangelove’, ‘28 Days Later’, ‘Blade Runner’, 'Romeo + Juliet’ and ‘Casino Royale’ which opened in London 2019 and transferred to Shanghai 2020.

In this chapter, Tom talks about his process and how he forms a company when making such epic performances. He also speaks to how we all can continue to push the boundaries of whatever form we are working in.

- Founding a company

- Making a show with choice

- Creating Gatsby

- What makes great experience?

- Making work with audience at the centre?

- What is the rehearsal process like?

- How do you inspire your actors (during a rehearsal)?

- Working with big IP

- Time Fracture: The Official Doctor Who experience.

- Work/Life balance

- Advice to 18 year old Tom

Nick Moran is one of the trailblazers within the escape room industry. Having built some of the UK's most successful escape games this chapter pulls back the curtain to reveal what it was like to create such experiences.

This conversation, recorded in December 2021 is full of amazing insights into writing, specifically how to use structure within cinematic and theatrical storytelling.

Nick Moran: https://www.nickmoran.com

Time Run: https://time-run.sketchanet.com/

Sherlock: https://www.thegameisnow.com/

Sharon Watson MBE is CEO and Principal of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. Prior to this, she was the longest-standing Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre. Her journey with the company began when she was one of the first female Principal Dancers invited to join the all-male award-winning company.

The list of awards Sharon has won is staggering and endless. She has been and continues to be a guiding light not just for dance but for the industry as a whole. Here she talks about her journey into the industry and how she thinks about being a leader, both in the rehearsal room but also in a wider sense.

Sharon was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire. She also appears in the Yorkshire Insider Power 100 list 2022.

Bertie Watkins is the founder of COLAB. A London based Immersive Theatre company comprising of different theatre companies working together to create the first home for Immersive Theatre.

Bertie opens his diary here to talk about how he went from making a show on his own, to creating one of the most successful immersive companies in the industry who span different venues across London.

Season Two kicks off with a really special guest. Amy Letman is one of the most prolific producers in the North, if not the UK. Amy has recently been named as one of The Stage's top 25 people in the industry. She is also the Creative Director of Transform Festival which always hosts a wide array of ambitious national and international performance work.

Here Amy talks about how it all started for her, she opens her diary and reveals what it really took to build something like Transform.

https://transformfestival.org/

https://www.thestage.co.uk/features/the-stage-25-amy-letman

We are BACK! The diary flicks open and Season 2 of the podcast returns.

In this chapter we make a commitment to you for the future. Alex also talks about working from home and opens up his diary to share practical steps to make you more productive.

This season Alex is joined with an unreal list of special guests, who are all at the top of the industry.

Amy Leach is the Associate Director at Leeds Playhouse, here she reveals her journey from youth theatre to setting up an award-winning comany (En Masse) to her professional work.

Amy speaks openly about how she thinks about her work, the role of the director and how she runs a room.

Here Alex talks to two talented and ambitious producers. Simply put, this chapter is a must for any aspiring producer or theatre-maker.

Jo Crowley is the Executive Producer at 1927, a multi-award winning independent Performance Company that specialises in combining performance and live music with animation and film to create amazing experiences.

Rosie has worked with some of the most interesting organisations in the country such as 1927, The Young Vic, Cheek by Jowl and Headlong Theatre. Rosie Clark is currently the Producer at Riptide, and the Associate Producer at Cast in Doncaster running their talent development.

This week our special guest is Emma Beverley.

Emma is a Producer and Programmer of multiple artforms, who has made and presented award-winning artworks in a range of contexts: including the Royal Court Theatre and British Council Showcase, pubs, clubs, cafes and derelict storage units.

In 2021, she will join Leeds 2023 as Executive Producer, delivering a landmark year of culture for Leeds and the wider region.

In Chapter 14, we hear from Kate McGrath, Director at Fuel (@Fueltheatre) who are an independent proceeding company working with visionary artists to realise groundbreaking work. Artists such as Sound&Fury, Fevered Sleep and David Rosenberg.

In this episode, we uncover an unfiltered account of Kate’s journey from student to Director, from journalism to producing award-winning theatre. Kate also sheds light on what she has been doing since lockdown started, how it has affected her and her company, and what she and the Freelance Taskforce have done to support freelancers in the arts.