Community Theatre - Who Need It?

A conversation with Rachel-Jane Morrison currently working with the Buckhaven Players.

Rachel-Jane is such a positive advocate for the value and the importance of Community Theatre.  She has worked in the prison system, with organisations such as the Lyceum Theatre but has also started her own projects such as the Young Quines (now based in Kirkcaldy) and the Buckhaven Players.  
This is that last episode of this series and I cannot think of a more fitting and positive ending.

A conversation with Jo Sharp

My conversation with Jo Sharp covered her influences and education that led her to work in Community Theatre, her time with the Lyceum Youth Theatre early on, and  LYRA currently.  In between she has worked all over the Central Belt and also set up her own Company 'Orbit of the Moon'.
Jo also published a number of excellent podcasts during the pandemic - I have a lot to learn!

A conversation with Kenny McGlashan of Youth Theatre Arts Scotland

Kenny talks about how he was inspired to work in the field of Community Theatre, his training at the Royal Conservatoire fo Scotland, his time working with Catherine Wheels and in his present role as CEO of YTAS.  We discuss how Youth Theatre has changed over his time with YTAS and what the organisation offers young theatre makers.

A conversation with Taylor Dyson and Callum Kelly of the Elfie Picket Theatre Company in Dundee.

Taylor and Callum speak about theatre in the Community, how and why they started the Elfie Picket Theatre Company and their work with Artangel.

A discussion about the value of collaboration in Community Theatre - both small and large scale

This podcast is a discussion about collaborations in Community Theatre.  The contributors are Simon Sharkey, Martin O'Connor Clara Bloomfield and Alan Cameron.  We talk about the meaning of collaboration, the value of cross-Arts collaboration.  the importance of collaborations within a project and the cultural value of exploring international collaborations.

Conversation with Gavin Crichton

Gavin Crichton's 'Active Inquiry' is a community based Forum Theatre Theatre Company based in Leith, Edinburgh.  His Company works with local Community Groups and his ambition is that the process of Forum Theatre should be used as a part of the democratic system, essentially, advising the Scottish Parliament on the vieww of community.  

A conversation with Nick Fearne

Nick Fearne has worked in Scotland for many years now but started his journey as a teacher in England.  He has worked at Cumbernauld Theatre, has written and directed a number of Community Plays, and has been an Arts Officer in various Scottish regions.  He has also had a long association with the Dingwall Players, and therefore has a really useful take on the differences between amateur and professional community theatre.

A conversation with Martin O'Connor

This conversation with Martin O'Connor covers his background and training, why he became involved in Community Theatre, his practice and involvement with both Toonspeak and the Tron Youth Theatre, and how his skills have developed and adapted to the environment of Community Theatre.

best bits of series one - a summary

As a preparation for series two, I have put together some of the particularly interesting moments from series one.  I hope that this also encourages you to go back and listen to some of these episodes.  
These extracts cover the background of how contributors became involved with Community Theatre, their training, their practice and their ambitions for Community Theatre.  
If you value these, and would like to make any comments or suggestions or are a practitioner who would like to be involved in a future podcast - do get in touch, I would genuinely like to hear from you.  My e-mail address is alanc658@aol.com.
And thank yuoui for listening.

A conversation with Andy Cannon

This conversation covers how Andy's life led him towards Community Theatre and performing.  He speaks about his time at Theatre Workshop in Edinburgh, his Company Wee Stories and how his storytelling has been educated by his Community Theatre Practice.  It is a truly interesting journey  told well by an experienced storyteller.