A teacher, a group facilitator, an actor and director.

Throughout my career I've been interested in how drama is used for entertainment, for education and for personal development.

I have taught acting and performance skills, and directed plays, both improvised and scripted. I have devised drama workshops through which people learnt about specific subjects ranging from science and health to social issues such as drugs and bullying. (Cockpit Theatre, HTV, Y Touring, Wellcome, Central YMCA)

 

Since 1983 I have been involved in training doctors and medical students in consultation and communication skills, both as a trainer and as an actor (role-playing simulated patients). This work not only taught me about the doctor / patient relationship and how feelings affect health, but co-incidentally about acting for camera (much of this work is recorded on video).

I attended a number of courses with Augusto Boal, including The Rainbow of Desire, which focused on using Boal's techniques to explore personal issues through drama. Following this I studied for a post-graduate Diploma in Dramatherapy at the University of Surrey at Roehampton (awarded 1999). This experience gave me a greater understanding of myself, and of the therapeutic nature of the arts.

Therapy is a loaded word in our culture and many people wish to separate 'Arts therapies' from mainstream amateur and professional arts activities. I believe that reading a book, painting a picture, playing a musical instrument, dancing or watching a play, all carry with them a hidden therapeutic value. We can choose to be aware of this or ignore it - it's still there.

Underlying all my work is the belief that each and every person possesses potential creative and expressive energy. It is my job to help people loosen up and let that energy flow.