I’ve worked with young people throughout my career, and taught, lectured or mentored people of all age groups and abilities. I love how this keeps me continually re-thinking my own practice, and I get a real buzz from seeing people ‘click’ with new ideas or skills.
In 2024 I went back to SPID, the theatre company on London’s Kensal House Estate where I’d set up a youth programme in 2005. The occasion was a celebration of the re-opening of the community rooms after a major refurbishment. One of the young people from the estate performed his own poetry (brilliantly), and came to say hello afterwards. He gave me a massive hug and told me how in 2005 he was a 6-year old child and still remembers to this day the sting of not being old enough to join the theatre classes and shows I ran for his big sister.
Drama Schools:
Third year productions at Drama Centre, RADA, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and ASAD.
Hamlet scene study classes, and supervision and marking of dissertations for RADA’s MA Text and Performance.
King Lear and Jerusalem scene study classes for Guildhall School of Music and Drama Summer School.
Adult Workshops:
Acting and political theatre for the Tricycle Theatre’s MUJU Crew.
Mentoring:
SPID’s Outreach Director through directing, writing, and developing youth programmes
MUJU’s Co-director through script editing, directing and organisational development.
Lecturing:
‘Shakespeare and Directing’ for several years at The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford Upon Avon to undergraduates, postgraduates, teachers and general adult groups on plays including Othello, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, The Winters Tale and As You Like It.
Children and Youth:
Musicals in a week for Upstage Musical Productions in school holidays for large groups of mixed-ability (and mixed-behavioural ability) children aged 9-14.
Regular classes for young people (aged 8-12 and 13-21) at SPID Theatre Company in disciplines including acting, text and technical theatre. The picture at the top shows two participants in a weekly SPID session, and there are more pictures of my work with them here.
And I’ve directed, designed or mentored for several SPID Youth shows.