A STATEMENT ABOUT WORK WITH COMMUNITIES



'Creating work with communities, in particular communities of young people, has always been an intrinsic element, at the core of my practice and underscoring all of the work that I make.

I have a particular personal interest in creating work with non-professional artists and an ongoing research project exploring the line between “professional” and “not-professional”.

My work harnesses the experiences, ideas, abilities and vision present in the individuals engaged in making it and, through this, communicates emotionally with the viewer.

It is my contention that some of the most affecting and entertaining performance works are created in communities, by communities, for communities.'





'Congratulations on the show. I enjoyed it immensely... they did themselves and you proud. It made me laugh and cry – that’ll be theatre then!' (Audience comment on Each Of Us)
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MY ARTS PARTICIPATION METHODOLOGY

My passion for socially engaged art practice has three strands:

ONE - The first is my belief that non-artists can create work that is vital, relevant and dynamic - by virtue of relating from the heart, without being tied to traditional conceptions of what makes “good art”.

TWO - The second is a belief that practicing art can enhance daily life for anyone.

THREE - The third is that by offering individuals a means of expression, we can encourage opportunities for social comment and public debate.


My methodology stems from the belief that successful artistic practice must meaningfully affect both the viewer and the creator.

I also believe that all art should be uncompromised. Therefore, my approach to creating work in a community setting aims to challenge any [pre-] conceptions of the communities (and myself), whilst working with what the participants offer me.

My work with communities has spanned ages, genres and politics – from creating a live Christmas shop with eight year olds, to presentations about female genital mutilation with the Somali Women’s Action Group.


My overall aim is to: develop and create imaginative, charming, emotionally affecting, intellectually rigorous performance based artworks that have a positive effect on the participating artists and spectators; and a contemporary relevance in both form and content.



'A uniquely conceived and innovatively executed piece of verbatim theatre.' (Audience comment on The Other Red Shoes)
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I CAN CREATE A BESPOKE CREATIVE PROGRAMME FOR YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY


I am an expert workshop leader with an excellent track record and have worked in a multitude of ways with a wide variety of organisations and with participants aged 3 - elders.

My specialisms are contemporary devised theatre, physical / visual performance, new writing, working with participants own personalities and ideas and cross artform working (i.e. working with visual art, dance and music).


Increasingly I also deliver CPD to professional artists and people / businesses not working in the arts but looking to develop their communication skills.


My workshops offer everything from creative play to intensive one to one acting training and creating material from our own stories. My practice is constantly evolving but generally centres around a belief that we get the most out of people when they are relaxed and having a good time.



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Contact: mail[at]mynameisxana[dot]co[dot]uk