After nearly eight years with Speakeasy Theatre Company, I recently took the decision that it was time to explore new pastures. Not an easy choice, especially given the closeness I felt to the Company members of Movers, a group of Learning Disabled performers whose growth, and self-awareness has developed rapidly in the time I have known them (something I’m sure any of their previous Directors would have felt too), but a decision I felt I had to make nonetheless, in order to explore new challenges, and to continue my own development.
My passion for theatre as an art-form, coupled with my interest and expertise in accessible or disability arts (neither terms I’m particularly fond of) are still areas I would like to explore, but I decided to take a bit of a sideways step. I have been aware of the fantastic work of Pedestrian for most of my time in Leicester, and jumped at the chance to join their team in the role of Project Coordinator. Pedestrian are a charity committed to high quality education projects in areas of social deprivation, exclusion, and non-educational settings. Their work focusses mostly in achieving tangible results, accredited qualifications etc… through multiple art-forms, primarily music. Their work, and this role, had many appealing factors for me: witnessing first hand how another highly regarded and successful arts organisation operates; exploring further work in the field of education, particularly in re-engaging disengaged young people; discovering new skills and approaches to education via multiple art-forms; as well as looking for opportunities to use my expertise to help develop and strengthen the charity’s work further.
I’m already experiencing a fantastic wealth of challenge and development from just a few weeks in my new role, and am lucky enough to have freelance time to explore other passions and projects, as well as maintaining relationships with companies such as Speakeasy.
Alongside these changes, I’ve been lucky enough to be selected to be a part of Performing Arts Leicester’s NextGen Leadership Development scheme, a fantastic series of workshops, training sessions, coaching, and action learning sets. A great opportunity, and something I intend to make the most of as I look to expand my skills, and share my constantly developing expertise.
Change is definitely the keyword of the moment…
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