I’m writing this on the train, and I love train travel. I’m writing this with a coffee, and, you guessed it, I love coffee! Today is a very good day. I’m heading off from the West Country to the wonderful North East. I’ve only really been to the North East before on holidays, so there is a great sense of excitement for me: theatre, train-transport, coffee and a holiday feel. Things can’t get much better!
Except I am certain they will. Thanks to the fabulous Theatre Bristol, who are supporting me as a Theatre Bristol Agent, I can go and experience TakeOff Festival, England’s leading festival of theatre for children and young people. I am looking forward to seeing loads of amazing theatre, being truly inspired and meeting some fantastic people through the delegate events during the festival. These are the sort of events that aren’t always viable for self-employed theatre-makers like me, so this is a great opportunity.
I call myself a middle-aged, emerging artist, as I have only been making theatre for the last few years. I taught Drama and English for almost 16 years before theatre though, so I definitely don’t fit into the usual categories of new and emerging artists – well not the age bracket anyway! The support from Theatre Bristol means I can take 4 days out of work and get myself up to TakeOff festival, so I am intending to grab this opportunity with both hands and make the most of it.
As part of the funding for Theatre Bristol, I have to disseminate information back to Bristol-based artists, so I am running a session for Mothers Who Make: Bristol on the 20th November all about what I’ve found out and also including some fun with improv. So, if you’re a mother-maker take a look at Mothers Who Make: Bristol’s Facebook page and pop the date in your diary.
If you’re not a Mother Maker, but would still be interested in finding out more about TakeOff and what I learn, then I will be hosting a Facebook livestream on Monday 4th Nov and adding to this blog throughout my time at the festival.