Freelance Director
Hello! I’m a Cardiff based Director, Dramaturg and Creative Practitioner, originally from the Cynon Valley. After studying Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University, I now work in the theatre industry and have worked predominantly on women-led new writing for plays and musicals. As a Welsh speaker, I’m also interested in developing new bilingual pieces, that push the norm and boundaries of Welsh medium theatre. I’m a queer, disabled artist and I’m looking to work to achieve more representation and access for artists who need it. My work is centred around nurturing and platforming marginalised voices and unheard stories.
Any art should be like the perfect packet of salt and vinegar crisps; packs a punch and can be intense, but also has a sense of comfort. Maybe I just really like crisps.
Over the last few years I have worked with a number of companies such as National Theatre Wales, Wales Millennium Centre, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Goodspeed, Kiln Theatre, Sherman Theatre, Theatre Uncut, August012 and The Other Room. I’ve most recently been the Literary Associate and Acting Literary Manager for the Sherman Theatre. I also work as a practitioner within drama schools and youth/community groups.
In 2020, I founded BolSHE; a creative collective led by women, for women. The company is currently working with Associate Artist Tori Lyons on her debut play, ‘It’s An Epidemic, I’m Afraid’, and Gwenan Bain on a storytelling project which received funding from Theatr Clwyd through their Micro Bursary scheme.
Find BolSHE:
Instagram: @Bolshetc
Twitter: @Bol_she
www.bolshe.co.uk
Freelance Dramaturg
As a Director working with a lot of new writing, dramaturgy was a natural fit. I started as a dramaturg predominantly working on Welsh language pieces with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru. I have now worked with a variety of writers on actor-muso shows, new musicals, screen-writing and one act plays. I’m most interested in developing structure and tone, exploring women-led, queer or disability led stories and bilingual works.
I have set up a pay-it-forward scheme for my dramaturgy, where you can donate a dramaturgy session for underrepresented writers or writers in financial need. Through this scheme I have supported writers to achieve further commissions and prepped for rehearsal/further development.
Creative Practitioner
I’ve worked over the years with community and youth theatre groups as a facilitator and practitioner across Wales. I love working with young people and watching them develop as creatives, getting them excited about experimenting and playing in theatre.
I have worked with school groups in association with Theatr Iolo on their Playhouse project. Training and supporting teachers to become directors, putting plays together with their pupils to be performed on professional stages, like The Riverfront in Newport. I also run online and in person sessions with youth groups to develop their skills as actors, directors and writers. I have also worked with young people auditioning for drama school to develop their audition technique.
As Literary Associate/Acting Literary Manage of the Sherman Theatre I also ran writing workshops, developed commissions, ran residency retreats and have facilitated the development of two writers groups and our Unheard Voices programme.
Alice Eklund 