I kicked off our fringe experience with Captivate Theatre’s exuberant and joyful Sunshine on Leith. A large company of Edinburgh-based performers and musicians who first presented the show back in 2014.
Your chance to be in the room where it happens with creative producers of theatre
So many amazing inspiring potential entrepreneurs have been in the room at Chris Grady’s workshops, networks and CGO Institute events, but now I want to look out for a much broader ‘audience’ of people who have never come across one of my workshops or networks
‘We were involved in decisions’: Chris Grady pays tribute to influential theatre manager Gordon Stratford
What made theatre manager Gordon Stratford special for me, as a boss, was his passion for the theatre, his quick understanding of potential audiences, and his willingness to give his marketing team the chance to challenge him on proposed prices, deals, and even show choices.
How to find the energy we need in our industry to move forward
I was talking with a client yesterday, who is a theatre-maker and wanting, like so many, to get back in front of a live audience and to work close with fellow creatives to make work happen. We decided to focus on a few areas – not least because we have no idea how long we are going to be in the current state of lockdown and reliance on digital platforms.
‘At the darkest moments I have to believe there is a future for our industry’: Why the arts are viable
At the darkest moments I have to believe there is a future for our industry. I have to believe we will defy our government and prove to be viable. I absolutely believe the way that this will happen is through the invention and enterprising energy of creative producers making stuff happen.
New opportunities in the world of Zoom Zj-ing
Over the last few months I have moved so much of my life and work online, often using Zoom, as so many of us have. Yesterday someone decided I should now call myself a Zj…which sounds fun.
Looking for trainee unicorns: Planning a diploma in creative producing
It is a strange time to predict a new world. But I hope that the planned Diploma in Creative Producing will come at the right time for a re-emergence of creative practitioners across the globe.
‘It feels like an immense effort to even walk’: River in the Sky’s cast, Lindsey Cross & Howard Horner, on grief & stories
As River In The Sky opens at The Hope Theatre for three weeks, Lindsey Cross and Howard Horner, who play Ellie and Jack, talk about their experiences during rehearsals and what it means to show this new play about dealing with grief to an audience. Book your tickets now!
“Fringe venues don’t just make shows, they make memories!” Lita Doolan on taking Mary Blandy’s Gallows Tree to Brighton Fringe
An unusual first Brighton performance and a keepsake perfect for a storyteller; as she brings Mary Blandy’s Gallows Tree to Brighton Fringe, Lita Doolan tells us about her love for the Brighton Fringe. Read on, then book your tickets.
Tea, vodka & art in Russia
My recommendation to any theatre producer and creative reading this is grab any opportunity to make these kind of trips. Open your eyes to everything that you see.
The mystery of musical theatre writing
I am bemused. Last night I was at a show which has been an immense hit in its lifetime and has been described as masterful by the press.
In creative business I like to say yes to the unexpected
So along with my declared New Year’s Resolution to see at least one piece of theatre in Scotland every two weeks, I will also try wherever I can to say “yes” to the unexpected.
New Year’s Resolutions – sensible settings, hopefully
I’m a coach with years of experience of helping others to set achievable goals, so I know how to do it. Tonight I decided to ensure I saw an average of one theatre show a week across the Scottish professional scene (excluding the Edinburgh Fringe) for 2019. Easy. Just do it.
If only I was famous… then I could reach playwrights around the UK
My challenge is to bring an opportunity to British playwrights who have a play which deserves to be published and licensed around the world.
Thank you for the power of the word ‘we’
This weekend I was part of an extraordinary workshop which was a first of its kind in Europe, or so I am told. A chance to work on the consciousness explorations of Patricia Albere developed in her practice and her book.
Help me get out of my bubble…
As I get older I network less. As I look out of my view across the Firth of Forth from my tiny office window, I don’t get the urge to go to the membership meetings and first nights which are out there for me to attend (and I can’t afford to).
It’s painful to bang your head yet again against the money tree trunk
This week I was turned down by the Arts Council for a project I have been nurturing for three years. I clearly did not manage to capture the imagination of the assessors.
‘At its heart it is about listening & asking questions which open up your thoughts’: The ups & downs of coaching
Time to get the word around that I am a coach – and then the most wonderful email dropped in my inbox from a past client as they tried to describe me to another person:
The tiredness of readiness: Waiting for the green light
I’m really tired this week, and it has taken a while for me to realise (or maybe remember) this particular freelance syndrome which I get when a certain mix of situations arise. Anyone get the same feeling? Let me explain.
Red squirrels, Goblin calls, a wedding and a birthday
It has been quite a week with two significant celebrations – my coming of bus-pass age and celebrating the wedding of my daughter Anna to her amazing partner Jonny – who live on a Dutch Barge named Nancy when not on honeymoon.