multi-disciplinary artist ✳ community focused ✳ play centred
Below are some projects I have worked on alongside fantastic creative teams. I provide consultation and support for theatre companies, venues, art centres, community settings, and museums as well as individuals. You can keep up to date with my most recent work on Instagram.
'Alice's Adventures in Aerialand' by The Dot Collective
November 2022 & June 2023
Role: Sensory Consultant
The Dot Collective’s Aerial circus adaptation is for all ages and abilities, especially adults, reminding us of that time growing up, when everything is contradictory; when you move into a world that seems unfair, with absurd rules and regulations which seems pure madness...still growing up it seems
A story of wonder and nonsense laced with lethal wit, of games, of riddles and conundrums, of questions with no answers, but above all of magic and adventure in which everyone can lose themselves and revel in the nonsense.
A universal tale that reaches out to everyone. Thrilling, exciting and full of wonder (and aerial!)
Alice’s Adventures in Aerialand is a family show that has been developed to be accessible for all.
Oily Cart: Space To Be Redevelopment
January 2022 - March 2023
Role: Associate Director
Space To Be is an ‘at home’ project which combines sensory objects delivered to young people’s homes throughout the UK, with a supporting component. Over the course of a week, families will be guided through a slow, hand-held, tactile performance.
Over the early months of 2022, Oily Cart will be working on the redevelopment of Space To Be, to enable it to take place in hospice and hospital settings, led by Natalya Martin, for a tour starting in 2023.
'Back and Forth and Forth and Back' by Aby Watson
November 2021
Role: Sensory Consultant
'Back and Forth and Forth and Back' is a relaxed dance performance of joyous neurodivergent embodiment, as a dyslexic, dyspraxic and ADHD mind-body dances itself into being – and outside of neuronormative values.
Through an environment that feels like a cross between a nightclub, your living room and a sensory space, a series of performative portraits come in to focus as neurodivergent lived experience bounces, rocks and articulates itself through compositions of dance, object and text – underscored by a groove-inducing soundtrack that won’t keep anyone still. Energetic, off-kilter and wonderfully weird, brut embodies dancing as an act of joy and a practice of neurodivergent radical acceptance.
Outside Wellbeing
May 2021 - June 2021
Role: Workshop Leader
Working in conjuction with the SENsory Atelier programme at Attenborough Arts Centre. Sessions were delivered part live on zoom, part prerecorded materials.
We explored nature in new ways, and the goal was... to have no goal! This project was about gathering, and exploring our materials and environment - and seeing what it lead us to make, and I think some beautiful things came out of that simple freedom.
Nature is proven to be a positive force for our wellbeing, and after a year where lots of people have had little access to being outside, it felt magical to bring a little bit of nature indoors.
Sensory Sounds in Nature (My Sensory Adventures)
June - November 2021
Role: Sensory Activity Manager
Sensory Sounds In Nature. Through outdoor listening and material gathering, working with Babies (under 2s) and Inclusive Families (welcoming
disabled children and their families) to create sounds, rhythms, and music to sample in a finished piece working with
composers to finesse the creations.
The young participants will spend some time outdoors in different environment recording sounds and also gathering
materials to bring back into a shared indoor space to explore and play - creating sound and music that will contribute to a
co-created composed piece of music.
Seedling
May 2021
Role: Pre-Show Materials
Seedling is an exciting new audio installation by Northampton artist Helen Crevel focused on potential motherhood, environmental responsibility and consumerism. As you wander around Grosvenor Centre, Northampton, we invite you to take the time to stop and reflect; to consider the changes you would like to see in the world, and to ask yourself 'How do we live with hope?'
Image designed by Strelka.
Flying Fantastic: Creative Residencies.
April 2021
Creative Inclusion R&D at The Young V&A
December 2020 - March 2021
Role: Commisioned Artist
I worked with The V&A Museum of Childhood as a commissioned artist supporting The V&A MoC, IMAGINE gallery, with research and development into the potential of the new Museum of Childhood as an engaging and accessible learning setting for young neurodiverse visitors, with a focus on sensory approaches to learning and engagement.
Sense: Golden is The Morning.
November - December 2020
Role: Sensory Practitioner
Inspired by the statements and imagery within the Sense Arts Connect Manifesto created by Tanya Raabe-Webber - I wrote a poem called "Golden is the Morning", which draws on the experience of mental health and wellbeing. From this, I developed and produced visuals to go alongside the poem, and two sensory-based experiences for people to try at home.
Role: Mentor / Consultant
Two weeks spent mentoring two companies on behalf of Oily Cart as part of Flying Fantastic’s Creative Residencies. Exploring making accessible theatre through circus, aerial, clowning, mime and much more.
Magical Moggie A Musical Adventure
May 2020 - December 2020
Role: Producer and Director
Magical Moggie A Musical Adventure is a playful treat for children with complex needs aged 0-12. It will take you on a magical journey through music and real-life sound. Co-developed with Little Havens Hospice, with support from The National Lottery Community Fund.
Illustration credit: Genevieve Edwards
Oily Cart: Space To Be
September 2020 - June 2021
Role: Associate Artist
Space To Be is an ‘at home’ project which combines sensory objects delivered to young people’s homes throughout the UK, with a supporting component. Over the course of a week, families will be guided through a slow, hand-held, tactile performance.
Peer Productions: Generation Girls
June - August 2020
Role: Sensory Consultant and Practitioner
Generation Girls is a project made for Autistic girls and girls with Learning Disabilities. The project is all about empowering, educating and encouraging girls to learn about topics including relationships, bodies and wellbeing using theatre and creativity!
Illustration credit: Ananya Rao-Middleton
Carbon Theatre: My Sensory Adventures
June 2020 - September 2021
Role: Sensory Consultant
My Sensory Adventures is an online and at-home sensory project by which families and young people can access content digitally. Each video will be based around the themes of the ancient elements (Water, Earth, Wind and Fire). There will also be 4 accompanying musical soundtracks.
Illustration credit: Evie Grace Caldwell
All For One Theatre: Off Goes Stan R&D
September 2019
Role: Sensory Consultant
Off Goes Stan is a new piece of children's theatre based on the book of the same title. The show incorporates elements of Makaton, sensory play and music aimed at audiences aged 5 - 10.
Ros Norford and 20 Stories High: The Lost Adventures of Fenella Von Hoop R&D
June 2019
Role: Sensory Consultant and Dramaturg
The Lost Adventures of Fenella Von Hoop is a new piece of family theatre incorporating elements of circus, storytelling, sensory interaction and audience participation.
Carbon Theatre: Sea Girl R&D
November 2018 - January 2019
Role: Sensory Consultant and Performer
The original idea for Sea Girl had been to explore the achievement of Laura Dekker, who holds the world record for being the youngest person to have solo circumnavigated the globe.
The nature of the adventure story means we are able to communicate the story through sights, smells, sounds and textures - perfect for children who best experience and learn through different senses.