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 ..read more

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: liam@saturday-club.org ..read more

In this month's episode, Ali Warren is in conversation with Sylvia Darkwa-Ohemeng, Founder and Company Director of Backstage Niche. 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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 und ..read more

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 D ..read more

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 ..read more

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 s ..read more

This month Ali Warren is in conversation with Mark Bishop, Participation Coordinator at the Natural Theatre Company based in Bath.  The Natural Theatre Company are street theatre specialists who produce 'surprising performances in surprising places' and have done so since 1969.   If their interactive, immersive and intimate theatre approach (with an anarchic vibe) sparks an interest making you want to learn more then please join us as we collaborate with the Natural Theatre Company to bring you face-to-face CPD once again, this November, in Bath.  Book your place at one of the w ..read more

This month, Ali Warren talks with Joe from Touchstone, a charity offering transformative workshops for young people with autism. Joe talks us through the principles the practitioners use to ensure every learner gets the most of out of their drama experience with Touchstone.  The company began nearly 20 years ago in 2001, formed by three actors from the RSC who have found 'marking space' liberating and a tool for empowerment rather than a COVID secure measure for drama teaching!  From beginning in residency at The Glebe School in Bromley, Kent to preparing for their future with Thomas ..read more