On 16^th March 2020, I was en-route to Joker Anna, a Mind the Gap forum theatre production and workshop exploring pregnancy and parenthood in people with Learning Disabilities, for an audience of trainee social workers at Huddersfield University. That morning, as I arrived at Manchester Victoria, I received a phone call. We needed to postpone the show due to COVID-19.

That was the first show postponed for me personally: it foretold the challenging times that were to come, but none of us could have guessed how long our entire worlds as we knew them would grind to a halt for, or the myriad challenges we’d face in our industry. The adaptability, drive and commitment to ensuring theatre still reached audiences and people who may not typically be able to access the arts from arts organisations and freelancers has been commendable.

I’m proud to be Associate Artist at Mind the Gap and looked on with admiration as the company shifted rapidly, ensuring Academy students were still able to access provision digitally, developing Creative Doodle Book and adapting work to be engaged with digitally.

As the pandemic continued and it seemed we were in for the long haul, many of us began to think creatively about how theatre can still reach audiences. For those of us specialising in Theatre of The Oppressed, about how Theatre can still be used to create meaningful dialogues. Theatre as a rehearsal for action.

That’s the Purpose of Anna. Part of a series of work, Daughters of Fortune, exploring pregnancy and parenthood in people with Learning Disabilities, and grounded in five year’s research, the play was written and produced to tour to a range of non-theatre venues. Pre-pandemic, Anna toured country-wide, everywhere from universities to local authorities, to explore with professional and trainee midwives, social workers and others, as well as with audiences with Learning Disabilities, how we can overcome the complex barriers many parents with Learning Disabilities face.

How would we make sure this important work still reached audiences and acted as a vehicle for important dialogues and positive change to take place, in the midst of a pandemic that wasn’t showing any signs of defeat?

We would need to adapt. To find new and exciting means of engaging with audiences.

In August 2020 I received a call from Joyce, Mind the Gap’s Resident Director, explaining that Mind the Gap would like to turn the Anna anti-model into a film and digital Forum Theatre workshop. Joyce’s initial vision excited me. I’d been thinking deeply about film and theatre, having just made and produced a film in lockdown which was grounded in theatre practice. This wasn’t to be theatre filmed, from two or three static camera angles; this was to be theatre brought alive through film – there’s a difference.

As the Joker/Facilitator and on-tour director for Anna, could I direct this film/theatre hybrid? At the point I was asked, I had no idea quite how we’d make it happen, but I believed we could and would. I jumped at the chance.

Fast forward to January 2021 and we have an incredible team on board.  Designer, Caitlin Mawhinney has brought Anna’s world to life in three dimensions in our studio theatre, but geared for that world being experienced by our audience through the lens of a camera. Film Maker Brett Chapman and I have been working to plan how we bring this story to life through film: storyboards have been completed. Deborah Dickinson, Senior Producer, is working hard to ensure shooting can take place, to ensure it’s a COVID-safe environment for all. Production Manager Ben Pugh has made our vision a technical reality. Charli Ward, Anna’s creator and Academy Director has been overseeing the work, supporting myself and the cast. Stage Manger Luke James is on board, taking on a dual SM/Script Supervising role to ensure everything runs like clockwork. Myself and our brilliant cast, Zara, Daniel and Alan, supported by the wonderful Leah, have re-blocked and adapted the play for film, socially distanced, but set in a non-Covid world (mind blown!)…and then…we’re postponed again!

Fast forward once more to March 2021 and we’re rehearsing again. There’s a palpable sense of willing this shoot to go ahead. Shoot Day 1 arrives: PCR and lateral flow testing is complete. We’re ready to Roll! Standby….action.

Four days later, after a stellar effort from the entire team (including our Designer re-training to do the Clapperboard), we wrap Anna.

For many of us, this has been the first time we’ve worked in a room with other people, doing our jobs in a shared space, for a very long time.

There have been countless challenges to overcome, not least shooting and blocking socially distanced. Perhaps the most bizarre overcoming-Covid-challenge moment was a spontaneous idea to ask the cast to use a stick (a bamboo cane measuring exactly 2 metres, which we re-purposed for socially distanced blocking) to poke Brett with, all in the name of art (sorry Brett). We were shooting Point of View takes, meaning the camera had to ‘become’ the eyes of a character,  so I asked the cast to poke Brett with the stick on the corresponding shoulder when they felt their character would look in another direction… thankfully Brett rolled with the idea in good faith, despite the wackiness of it all.

In spite of the challenges we faced, both inside and outside of the Studio, this production has been a joy to make: from the entire cast and crew bellowing “Egg! Egg! Egg!” together in unison during warm – ups (don’t even ask), to the warm and focused environment every person in the team helped create for us to work in, to Caitlin’s tiny model of our clapperboard for the 100 slate moment. I’ve felt privileged to creatively lead such an incredible team, and beyond proud of the work we’ve created in the face of challenges we’d never before encountered. Above all, I’m delighted that this first venture back into creating work together in shared spaces has been such a joy, from start to finish. We have every single amazing person who helped make Anna online happen to thank for that.

As I write, we are nearing completion of the edit for the film, and plans are being made to launch the work online, with a digital workshop with students at Royal Holloway. We can’t wait to share it with you, and to celebrate Mind the Gap’s important work with Daughters of Fortune still being able to reach audiences, spark important conversations, and hopefully impact the lives of parents with Learning Disabilities for the better.

Keep an eye for more details from us about Anna Online coming soon!

The post Making ‘Anna’ Online appeared first on Mind the Gap.

It’s time I face up to it: After 14 years, I have left Mind the Gap. 1-week before what should have been my leaving do, the country went into lockdown, and I still firmly state that I haven’t officially left until that leaving do happens! But it’s time I face that at some point that party will happen, and I until then, need to stop convincing myself I’m still there.

I had 14 incredible years at MTG. The company saw me grow from Project Administrator – Project Manager – Marketing Officer – Business Development Manager – Senior Producer. And of course, the company also saw me grow my three beautiful children. And where so many women face appalling discrimination when becoming parents, I was unbelievably fortunate to be faced with flexibility, support, kindness, understanding and often promotions! How many companies can boast such opportunities for staff progression and such family friendly ways of working? It’s one of the reasons I stayed with the company for so long: I wanted to pay back the generosity I was shown (employers – take note!). I will be forever grateful.

I am unbelievably proud of what the company has achieved in those 14 years, and of the part I played in its development. Highlights will always be Irresistible (which I not only booked the European tour for but got to go along with as a singer in the cast!), Stig of the Dump, the talented and hard-working artists, the amazing Academy students, the Daughters of Fortune project, including what became my swan song – ZARA, an epic outdoor production with a giant baby puppet and hundreds of people in the cast and team. And of course the freelancers, companies and partnerships involved along the way; the fantastic Access All Areas and Hijinx, the Creative Minds network, L’Oiseau Mouche in France, Moomsteatern in Sweden, Walk the Plank, Emergency Exit Arts, and venues like The Albany in Deptford who have programmed, backed and supported MTGs’ work for literally 20 years. Another of those venues is Square Chapel in Halifax, and I just can’t believe it’s closed down due to this crisis – somebody save it, please.

When I come on board to administrate the Capital development of MTG Studios (which btw will always be mine – I reckon I’m the only person who knows where every wire, connection, switch and facility is and what they do! I digress…), when I came on board in 2006, we were a company of about 6 staff, 8 students and 8 artists, and we reached around 3,000 people per year. Leaving in 2020, we are a company of 26 staff, 70 students, 15 artists, and we reach around 20,000 people per year. What a ride.

It wasn’t always an easy one, there were some really big bumps in the road, but I’m so glad I stuck it out, and I’ve got the incredible leadership and friendship of Julia Skelton to thank for that.

And the people… this is where the admitting I’m leaving / have left becomes so hard. You can’t work for 14 years for a company that is all about supporting the development and growth of talented individuals, and showing the world what people can do, without growing some really deeply connected relationships. You can’t help to support people every day through discrimination, prejudice, abuse, battling for equality and respect, basic rights, social services, benefits traps… and somehow still laugh with those same people all the time, without that becoming deeply ingrained in your life, ways of thinking, behaving, and being. I am changed and better because of this company.

It’s so corny, but MTG truly is a family, and even if you move away you can never really leave a family. I am happy to be leaving them in the very safe hands of MTG’s new Senior Producer, Deborah Dickinson – enjoy the ride Deborah! And anyway, I live 10 mins down the road, so if the alarm goes off in the night, don’t worry – I’ll be there.

The post Blog: Lisa Mallaghan – Leaving Mind the Gap appeared first on Mind the Gap.

Alison Colborne, nee Short, talks about her experience of living with Aspergers, and her work with Mind the Gap.

“My sister Pippa and I are both on the autistic spectrum. I’d always been quite interested in the arts and theatre. Pippa had heard about Mind the Gap’s work with people with learning disabilities including autism, and we went to a few taster sessions together. So I auditioned for the Making Theatre training course in 2007 and was accepted straight away.”

She continues, “I tried other organisations for possible employment but down to a lack of qualifications and having to disclose my disabilities, I couldn’t get work.”

However, Alison’s versatile skills as a performer and creative artist were recognised by Mind the Gap, and she was invited to join the acting company in 2010.

She says, “Mind the Gap welcomed me with open arms and it has really boosted my confidence. It’s just wonderful! One of my biggest achievements was learning a 13-page script for a show called Never Again in one night. The day after I only had to glance at the script a couple of times.”

Alison has gone on to be one of Mind the Gap’s most successful and in demand performers. Since 2016 she has been one of the principle cast members in Mia: Daughters of Fortune, a project and production inspired by a story very close to her heart. Her sister Pippa’s experience of becoming a parent to her daughter Rayne, and the challenges she has faced as a learning-disabled parent, was the catalyst for this project.

Alison explains, “it is an honour to be in the show to be portraying the message that Mia brings”.

She was also part of the ensemble cast of 9 performers in CONTAINED, which toured nationally and internationally in 2015 and 2016. This project sparked the development of a band that now gigs independently, in which she plays the flute – alongside fellow artist and the band’s leader – versatile composer and musician Jez Colborne. Who since May 2017 has been Alison’s husband.

“Yes, Jez and I are the first artist couple at Mind the Gap to get married. We met through our work at the company, and our relationship is one of the reasons Jez moved from Nottingham. It allowed us to spend more time together. Which led to us getting engaged in 2016 and married last year. So as you can imagine it’s been a pretty hectic few years for me!”.

The post Alison Colborne – Artist Case Study appeared first on Mind the Gap.

On the 30^th November 2017, I delivered a Digital Dance Workshop for Mind the Gap Academy’s Dance students.

During the workshop, students learnt about the creation of my recent piece of work called ‘Moving Memories’, which I created during a week long Artists Takeover residency at Kala Sangam Arts Centre in August 2017

Moving Memories explores the principles and notion of ‘immersion’. The theme of Moving Memories is exploring human emotions and the tension in humanity and its effects on the body, using dance theatre, motion tracking, sensory scent, visual projections and 3D printed sculpture. This is first in a series of works with theme ‘state of mind in Relaxation to Progression’.

Following a whole body warm up, students moved through the space and improvised with their movements using different levels and dynamics. Dynamics are very important when working with the motion tracking system Kinect. Students had to be able to identify the different rhythmical scores such as slow, medium and fast. As we were working with the theme of ‘Relaxation’ the movements had to be calm and slow.

During the next part of the workshop, students used their hand to create pathways in the air, like they were ‘drawing’ on a large piece of paper in front of them. Once they were used to doing this, students created a short sequence, which utilised different levels with a calm and slow tempo.

The workshop finished with students presenting their short sequence using Kinect and projection. As they moved Kinect tracked their motion and projected it on screen using 3D lines. It was a brilliant day and fantastic to see the students demonstrate their creativity and enjoyment of drawing with their bodies.

***

Lucie Lee’s work is funded by Arts Council England, Kala Sangam and Bradford Council; and supported by Mind the Gap and Bradford College.

The Moving Memories installation is at Kala Sangam until December 2018.

Lucie Lee Dance Company is an emerging professional Dance Theatre Company, which embraces the use of digital technologies in their dance performances, combining contemporary dance techniques, improvisation and dance digital practice.

The post Lucie Lee Digital Dance Workshop appeared first on Mind the Gap.

Background

Following conversations with venue programming, marketing and local companies, it was decided that the key focus for CONTAINED: The Conversations at The Albany would be ‘Excellence in Learning Disability Live Performance’.

The London location of the venue, and the concentration of a number of London based professional learning disability companies, lent itself to The Albany being an ideal central opportunity for them to come together and share their work.

Through conversation with Heart n Soul, Spare Tyre and Access All Areas it became apparent (and surprising) that there is not currently a strong network between London based learning disability companies. The Albany, in partnership with Mind the Gap, wanted to create an environment where the companies could come together, meet, share and play.

Aligning the event to happen at the end of Heart n Soul’s Allsorts – a weekly drop in opportunity for people with learning disabilities to engage in creative arts – provided an ideal opportunity to reach individual aspiring artists as well as attracting professional companies.

We created an event called Tea & Trailers:
“A fun and friendly afternoon where you can share your work / plans / projects / ideas that show the brilliant diversity of disability arts, and work by disabled people. Tea & Trailers is open to anyone; maybe we can start a revolution, with biscuits.”

Partners
Access All Areas, London 
Corali, London
Heart n Soul’s Allsorts, Deptford 
Hijinx, Wales
Magpie Dance, Bromley
Spare Tyre, Deptford
Under the Stars, Sheffield
Vital Xposure, Hackney
Plus a number of other independent artists and arts professionals.

Outcomes

Over 80 attendees, ranging from people who have trained, worked and toured in the LD Arts sector for many years, through to someone who had engaged in the arts for the very first time that day.

The floor was ‘open to anyone’ to share their art. The event began with professional companies and high quality performances, which helped to set the tone. Contributions ranged from pre- prepared presentations, to sharing films of work, to poetry readings, beatbox, solo and group dances and more. Leading to a spontaneous group dance at the end of the event, followed by cake!

The atmosphere was supportive and celebratory, a beautiful coming together of people and companies with a joint cause: to share and highlight excellence in learning disability live performance.

The event was ably MC’d by learning disabled Mind the Gap Student, Paul Wilshaw. He has since been approached by other companies to MC their events.

Conversations are ongoing between Mind the Gap and all the companies who attended to explore how we might continue coming together – including receiving each others work, workshop exchanges, attending as audiences to each others shows, and sharing expertise.

Continued engagement with Goldsmiths University through 2 fantastic student volunteers.

Almost 100% of attendees to Tea and Trailers converted to audiences for CONTAINED.

“It was a real pleasure to be there. The work of Mind the Gap’s artists and of your partner companies was excellent. It was even greater to be part of such an enthusiastic audience, the atmosphere was lovely and a real testimony to the success of your work. Let us know if you organise more events like this and if you think Vital Xposure could take part we would be delighted to.” – Emilia, Teglia Vital Xposure

“DJ did such a good job of talking about our work (of course), and he mentioned our most recent performance at the British Museum… I really loved Contained, and almost as much as the show itself, I enjoyed how much Corali dancers – DJ, Jackie, and Bethan enjoyed it. It would be so wonderful to formalise that connection at some point in the future and get together to exchange practise. Perhaps there is a way for us to plot for that to happen?” – Sarah Archdeacon, Corali

And other companies are still telling us they’re sad they missed it!:

“We were gutted not to be able to make it down to any of the events at The Albany in March. Bad timing with us being in Brighton that week with It’s My Move.” – Kat Gill, Blink Dance Theatre

“Thank you for your invitation to Tea and Trailers. I am afraid at the moment it does not look like anybody from Freewheelers will be able to get there, however we are grateful to be invited – please do keep us on your lists as we’d love to know about any similar events you are hosting in the future.” – Jenni Halton, Freewheelers Theatre Company

Take a look at a gallery of images from the event here…

The post CONTAINED: Tea & Trailers at The Albany appeared first on Mind the Gap.

My proudest moment so far was being asked to be an understudy for both Gift and Trickster in my first year of the course.

I first found out about Mind the Gap in 2009 when I took part in an outreach project that Mind the Gap brought to my school. I really enjoyed the project and I began thinking that Mind the Gap might be the place for me.

Since joining Making Theatre in 2013 my skills and confidence have really grown. I appeared in my first professional production within a month of joining the course as a Hobo in Irresistible at Bradford City Park, which I really enjoyed. It was great to perform all the songs in the piece.

In April 2014 we performed our Contained pieces inside a shipping container. I made a piece about being trapped inside. Once the audience went into the container, the doors closed and they were trapped inside for about 5 minutes. They then watched a film I had made of me being trapped inside and the piece finished with the audience seeing a skeleton I had created out of Paper Mache. I enjoyed having the chance to perform, use media and make the props myself. It was great fun recording my own sounds and music using the technical equipment and I felt really proud once the project was complete. It was a challenge and I gave myself a lot to do, but I was very happy with the result.

My proudest moment so far was being asked to be an understudy for both Gift and Trickster in my first year of the course. I was shocked! Being an understudy meant I got to go to London, Scotland and then Ireland in October with Trickster. One of my main roles was to help live stream the shows, which was nerve wracking at first but a good challenge.

I am excited to be on my second year of Making Theatre. We have lots of exciting projects coming up and Mind the Gap is like a second home to me. It feels like family.

Paul Bates – Full Time Making Theatre Student

The post Paul Bates – Full Time Making Theatre Student appeared first on Mind the Gap.

I love acting, I don’t get nervous, but Mind the Gap has taught me how to learn lines and project to an audience.

I started at Mind the Gap in 1999 and have done lots of shows and tours since. Back then Making Theatre was called Making Waves which I did for 3 years I then joined the Acting Company.

My favourite tour to date is Jekyll and Hyde where I played Poole the Butler. It was really exciting as it was my first tour with Mind the Gap.

At the moment I’m really getting into singing and doing stand up comedy. I write all my own songs and material. I did a stand up show at Mind the Gap and that went really well.

Like most performers I would love to do some TV work, a drama or a soap maybe. But for now I’m happy working with Mind the Gap and the rest of its talented actors.

Alan Clay – Resident Artist

The post Alan Clay – Resident Artist appeared first on Mind the Gap.

I love it when the audience interact with the shows, clapping and enjoying themselves. It makes our work really worthwhile. 

I’ve always loved acting, I was doing lots of plays at my school – Braithwaite – playing Calamity Jane, and Rose in Oliver so when Mind the Gap came to my school to talk about its Outreach Summer Theatre Schools I really wanted to give it a go.

After this I was asked to apply for Making Theatre in 2008 where I was asked to audition for Boo before I left school. I was only in Making Theatre for a year when I got the part! After this I joined Acting Company in 2011, which meant I could go out on more tours such as Stig, Irresistible and Treasure Island.

When I’m not acting or being at Mind the Gap I love to make name tiles out of Hama Beads and doing arts and crafts. Singing isn’t my strong point!

But I really love being on tour especially when the audience enjoy the shows, clapping and singing along sometimes too.

Mind the Gap has really boosted by confidence and now I really want to learn how to cook and be more independent so I can help my mum out more at home. I also wouldn’t mind being on TV – maybe Waterloo Road playing a cheeky character.

As well as going out on tour, I would really like to do more workshops and outreach, working with younger people so I can share my passions and hobbies.

The next big project I’m involved in is Trickster, with Jez Colborne who is creating a piece of music to be performed in on and around a shipping container using strange instruments. We went to Ireland, where it’s going to be performed, to do some research and we got stranded on Inisheer in a storm! That was pretty scary but an experience!

That’s what’s so cool about Mind the Gap, no day is the same and you get the chance to do lots of different things as a performer.

JoAnne Haines – Resident Artist

The post JoAnne Haines – Resident Artist appeared first on Mind the Gap.

Joining Mind the Gap has really boosted my confidence and has helped me grow as a performer. I wouldn’t mind being a Dingle in Emmerdale!

I first learnt about Mind the Gap through my teacher at Southfield School and immediately wanted to get involved as I love singing, dancing and acting. I  joined in 2009 through its Making Theatre course which gives you a really good start into what you need to know and do to be a performer.

Now I’m 26, I’ve been involved in loads of things from performing in workshops to going out on my first national tour – Treasure Island. I had to play 6 different roles in the show, which at times could be really challenging from remembering the different character’s lines to managing loads of costume changes! I loved being on tour with my fellow actors and friends Alan and JoAnne. The audience really liked Ben Gunn, the character who had been marooned on the island – they really liked his lines as they were funny – ‘I want some cheeeeeeese!’.

When I’m not at Mind the Gap I keep busy by helping my Uncle in his local pub, collecting glasses. I know the locals quite well and some of them come to see me perform.

I would really like to concentrate on singing as well as my acting; I would love to sing with the two Irresistible singers Lisa and Joyce in a gig or show.

I could never imagine leaving Mind the Gap, but if I did I would love to be on TV. I remember when ITV’s Katherine Kelly visited Mind the Gap to congratulate our director Tim on the success of the company so I would love to be on ITV, maybe playing a Dingle in Emmerdale!

Mind the Gap is a great place for those with a disability who want to get into acting, dancing or singing. They are really supportive and teach you how to be a professional.

Liam Bairstow – Resident Artist

The post Liam Bairstow – Resident Artist appeared first on Mind the Gap.

 Mind the Gap is the most vibrant theatre company I’ve ever encountered!

I was introduced to Mind the Gap by Theatre of the Oppressed NYC’s Artistic Director Katy Rubin. I came here to experience first hand how theatre can be used as a tool for social change in an environment, which understood that I still had a lot to learn.

As an acting student, I learned so much from the uninhibited, fearlessly creative, and strikingly present actors and students. I also came away with a better understanding of how the logistics of this kind of an organisation work.

For those looking to do a placement here, I would say to come ready to encounter all sorts of personalities. Don’t focus so much on how you can learn, but rather focus on how you can help others learn; you’ll learn far more yourself than you ever dreamed.

Talley Gale – International Placement (June 2013)

The post Talley Gale – International Placement USA appeared first on Mind the Gap.