Brought up in Birmingham, I studied Drama at Manchester University from 1977-81.  I was introduced there to theatre-in-education, and a short time after graduating, in 1982, was involved in setting up Big Brum Theatre-in-Education Company, which took issue-based participatory TIE into schools in Birmingham. I stayed with the company for ten years, as its Artistic Director.

After leaving Big Brum, I became a freelance worker, combining writing of plays [mostly, although not exclusively for young people] directing TIE and theatre work, teaching and performing. 

Alongside this, I have been involved in a large number of arts education projects, sometimes as co-ordinator, sometimes consultant, animateur, director, depending on the nature of the project. In recent years, I have developed a strong and influential link with South Korea, and also a concentration of work in Early Years.  I was nominated in 1998 for a Creative Britons Award, for my contribution to arts for young people.

This record of work is structured so that you can look at my experience in any of these fields:

WRITING

ACTING

DIRECTING

TEACHING/LECTURING

CREATIVE BRITONS AWARD CITATION

PROJECTS

 

Qualifications

Born: 15/1/1959 Education: King Edward’s School Birmingham and Manchester University.

8 O-levels, 4 A-levels and BA [Hons] Drama.

 

General Experience:

1992-2007 Since becoming free-lance, I have been involved in a very large number of one-off or short projects, as workshop leader, facilitator, director, co-ordinator etc. Residencies in many schools, work with community groups and people with learning difficulties. Lecturing in TIE and Drama at Universities of Warwick and Wolverhampton, and three spells as Visiting Professor of Theate-in-Education at the Korean National University of the Arts. I have had ongoing attachments as Education Consultant to Birmingham Hippodrome and Birmingham Opera Company, and Early Years Development Worker at Birmingham REP.

1982-92 - Founder and Artistic Director of Big Brum Theatre-in-Education Company, a post involving a wide range of artistic, managerial, administrative and creative activities.

Member of West Midlands Arts/Birmingham LEA Panel for Artists in Schools. Founding member and Executive Committee member of Birmingham Education Arts Forum. Co-Founder of the Theatre and Health Education Trust. Active member of Big Brum TIE Co Management Committee, Trustee of Puppetlink.

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