Wednesday 27 July 2016

CollaboGREAT!






Us mere mortals are forever in life trying to 'make the team'. As a kid on day one of primary school scanning the playground for a buddy, to being a twenty-something newbie at the local gym's spinning class, hoping a friendly face will look your way-we all want to be part of the gang! It's human nature to gravitate towards other like-minded individuals who you feel bring out the best in you. Those folks who just 'get you' and allow you to express yourself, experiment and explore without judgement. 

As a freelance dance artist & choreographer,  I'm often working & creating alone. Yeah, I may be teaching up to 250 people in just one day and meeting heaps of new folks every week but I'll be out there, most of the time, delivering sessions on my own with only my ideas, knowledge and experience in the mix. Of course the freedom is very liberating, with no one to question or quash your decisions but in the same light, when creativity grinds to a halt, you're left feeling like you've asked me, myself and I one too many times to expect to get any pearls of wisdom in reply! The light-bulb moments at times will dwindle, where you've spent the last hour staring a blank piece of paper hating every single idea that has floated to the surface of your muddy pond water of a brain. The struggle is real and sometimes you wish could just go fishing some place else! 

This is where collaborating with others saves the day. Teaming up with fellow Creatives will inspire and motivate you to beyond what you thought was possible. Their input can conjure up ideas and offer moments of clarity that would have never come to fruition on a solo mission. I can safely say that in every collaborative project I have worked on, there has always been that stroke of genius moment, a new lesson learned or validation of my work that I needed. That's not to say that plain sailing is guaranteed- too many cooks may not spoil the broth entirely but it sure can throw the odd spanner in the works along the way as creative differences become apparent. However, hurdles aside, the pros of working collaboratively arguably out way any potential pitfalls in my opinion. 

 Like a chain reaction, someone else's decisions or actions help you steer your own plans for a project, with that common interest in making something tick beautifully at the heart of everyone's agenda. A Director's specific vision for a scene in a production, a designer's urge to use a glitter ball or a choreographer's signature style is bound to assist your own creative process. Peering out of your comfort zone and opening yourself up to the unknown feels a lot less scary when you're in the company of others who are willing to do the same. Venturing into a new project can be like the first day at university-it all seems a little less daunting when you take a mate along who is in the exact same boat as you are. When there's someone to say 'yes, that works!' Or 'yeah, me too!', the doubting Thomas in your head is less likely to be heard or adhered to! 

Recently I've had the privilege and pleasure of working more and more collaboratively which actually helped inspire the creation of this blog! I'm sure I'm not alone when I admit that I often feel the initial pang of inferiority when presented with the opportunity to team up with others. My self-doubts of 'not being good enough' or 'being found out as an imposter' are a given- it seems near impossible for me to approach any new venture (solo or collaborative) without a hint of self doubt and that's something I have come to expect but realise I can overcome. Being on a team is exciting and inspiring but it's blooming terrifying too! 'What if they don't like my ideas?' 'What if mine clash with theirs?'. These are quickly dashed when you get to work and discover that your counterparts are scarily similar to you- they too have their own self doubts and creative demons to deal with and they don't have all the answers that you thought they would! You soon realise you're in a gang of peeps just like you and all your strengths and weaknesses compliment and support each other's. Questions and answers are often met with considerable ease when there's more than one brain in the mix and you all provide a safety net for everyone to try stuff out without fear of failing miserably and having no where to go but down in to the black hole of 'No Ideas-ville'. 

Collaborating with others is a real highlight for me! It makes me feel that I'm not out there on my lonesome. That this freelance malarkey has achievable squad goals and I'm safe in the knowledge that I'll be saved from running out of inspiration, as long as I make an effort to team up with others to create things. You're bound to learn and grow with each new encounter and your own input will have undoubtedly inspired others! 

My advice to any Creative is to take a leap of faith when it comes to working with others. Don't go in there with pre-conceived ideas of how it will all go down. Be open to new things, be confident in your own abilities and ideas and be ready to be inspired by others. Like any self respecting superhero alliance, individually the members are pretty darn great but together....they are KICK-ASS GREAT! 

Sunday 17 July 2016

The Braw and The Brave Meet.....Kirsty McCabe





Kirsty McCabe is a Freelance Theatre, Set and Costume Designer based in Glasgow. A Royal Conservatoire graduate (formerly RSAMD), Kirsty has sculpted a very exciting, successful career for herself. Her mantra is "work hard and be nice to people" and she's living proof that this is sound advice for any budding designer, having worked with the likes of Tron Theatre, Scottish Opera, National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Youth Theatre on a variety of productions and projects. She designs and creates the most stunning sets and costumes and I personally adore her work....hence this interview! 

"To me education is a leading out of what is already there in the pupil's soul" (Muriel Spark, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie) 

 Body-swerving her dad's suggestion to become a dentist, Kirsty quite vividly remembers the moment she realised what she wanted to do. "I went to see 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' and I completely fell in love with it. I thought it was fantastic and the set was beautiful. I thought I could do that, it just clicked" . However her love affair with creating spaces didn't begin there. Much younger, at aged 8 she could be found, way past bed-time, rifling through Argos catalogues "designing plan views of homes and fitting in furniture to imaginary rooms". All through school she hadn't always realised or considered that her obsession with creating places and could be a career option. Deliberating over an Art School route vs a more practical Theatre production course in her final year at secondary school, it was a battle won by the latter, as Kirsty wanted to be around people and the initial idea of studying sculpture seemed potentially a rather solitary existence. Surrounding herself with like-minded people has been what Kirsty attributes to the success she's enjoyed thus far. Her studies introduced her to the world she was so keen to be a part of and she found herself, straight out of university, working at the Tron Theatre on her first design job. It's evident that Kirsty was meant to pursue a career in design. She'd been blissfully unknowingly preparing for it from a young age & her pockets full of stones & acorns were just the start of something beautiful.


A Present State. Photo by John Johnstone  johnjohnstonphotography.co.uk


'Here are a few of my favourite things....'

 Having worked with Kirsty on a few productions recently, I was interested to find out what exactly her creative process looks like from the get-go. As a Choreographer, I have came in to the equation in the later stages of the project where her vision and it's execution is already in full swing and so I haven't been privy to her work from the outset. Although each project will have it's own specific research and 'mood boards' of ideas to work from, Kirsty is on a constant collecting and creative adventure, looking at the world around her for inspiration. Taking photos, mental snapshots and picking up little treasures where ever she goes that she can keep and use as and when she needs them, it's something she's been doing all her life.  "When I was a child, I thought your 'collection' at Sunday School was your collection of things that you would show people, like everything in my pockets....". She works best in her studio, surrounded by her 'collection', sorting and sifting through everything she's gathered as inspiration, with a deadline but leaving things to the last minute. Personally, I can be the same with my work and can often be found apologising for the fact, when, as Kirsty says quite rightly, if that's what works for you, you shouldn't see that as a negative. If there's a hint of pressure that is often what can help you pick out the most attractive, best-fitting options from the jumble-sale of the ideas in your mind. They are all there, you just don't make your selection until you really have to. Kirsty calls this the moment when she feels like she's 'cracked it'. She knows what the language is and developing it now seems possible. Kirsty creates rules or parameters for herself, whether that be a distinct colour palette or certain materials used as a starting place and says it's all about finding the 'right' rules for the piece.

"If I can find that visual language...know the rules of the world I'm making then, it means that as things change, it's still what I want". Kirsty explains that her style is ever-changing with each project she works on but there are things she'll find herself going back to time and time again. Her love of a good pom-pom (who doesn't love a pom-pom?!) has meant she's been known to endure a repetitive strain injury to bring her vision to life. Talking to Kirsty, you can see she thrives on the creative process and is thorough in her practise to ensure the language she's created is clear throughout the entire design.

Snow Pals, Tron Theatre, Photo by John Johnstone  johnjohnstonphotography.co.uk


Navigating through the Dragon's Den of Theatre Design 

 Aside from her own artistic style, as designer working with a team of other creatives, Kirsty has the (at times!) unenviable task of taking either a Director's very specific vision or trying to make sense of vague ideas as to how they see the performance and then shaping these with her own ideas to make it work. This is something she has mastered through experience.  Inevitably this is where self doubt can rear it's ugly head, when her suggestion for the look of a show needs to marry up with what the Director thought they wanted or be the missing jigsaw piece that she has been entrusted to find. Critiquing and doubting your own work is tough going at the best of times but handing it over for scrutiny in it's infancy? Now there's the rub. Her explanation of the initial production meeting where she presents her design to the Director and Technical team makes it all sound positively terrifying. "In that meeting there's no room for praise. If you're worried about it, you're not going to be consoled. That meeting is purely for my ideas to be picked apart, will it work?" Doubts or excitement for what she has planned aside, Kirsty explains that this, however painful, part of the process is essential and you just have to develop a thick skin to shield you from what feels negative to move forward. Consideration of cost, time and manpower required, it's all about finding a balance of what is feasible without compromising her vision."The team are finding all the negatives for you....You need to do that as you need it to work". Getting the team excited enough to want to make it all happen can also make things easier, especially when it involves them "flame-barring endless bales of hay in a paddling pool". Standing your ground on the must-haves, yet having alternative options on stand-by to pull out of your magician's hat when the final answer is no, is all part and parcel of Kirsty's role as designer. "It's a lot of diplomacy but it's satisfying once you get to the end and you've come through all of that and it still looks like what you wanted it to". 

 Preferring to be on board from the beginning of a project, she can then have a constant dialogue with a Director to construct something they both are happy with, that works best. Communication from the get-go makes for a smoother and more enjoyable creative experience. "As the years have gone on , the process is of making something has become more important for me".



 #GirlBoss


 When your passion becomes your work it's difficult to power down from it all but this is something that Kirsty happily accepts. "I used to go see loads of theatre as a way to switch off.....now I go to see shows and most of the time I'm thinking about how I would have done it". The exceptionally long hours also aren't a problem when you love what you do and Kirsty just embraces the opportunity. "It becomes a piece of who you are as you spend so much time doing it and thinking about it". Aware that some family members and friends may not always 'get' what she does, Kirsty admits that it's only been in recent times that she has realised that she is, in fact, a business woman. Being immersed in what you are doing can often blind sight you as to the path you are on and who you are as a Creator. Acknowledging that she is actually running her own business has changed how Kirsty now sees her work. She advises that as freelancer it is useful to at points to "take your own personality out of the equation and think about what you can offer, what skills you have and how much value there is in that"When your personality and your life's work are so closely entwined it's important to view them as two separate threads and so when promoting your work, you aren't promoting you - it's your product. That's not to say personality isn't important in the industry and remembering that your reputation proceeds you will often be a key to your success. Kirsty is a lovely person who gravitates towards and values that in others. "I don't hire people, even if they're ridiculously skilled, if they're not good to work with. I'd rather hire someone who I can get on with"


Elf By Herself, Tron Theatre. Photo by John Johnstone  johnjohnstonphotography.co.uk



What About...?!?!


What’s on you iPod right now?
I just love 90's R&B! I'm loving the resurgence of Craig David..!

If you could have an unlimited amount of something, what would it be?
Extra Strong Mints - that's my complete go to.

 Favourite word?
Coorie! It's the nicest word!

Last book you read?
I'm reading Tennessee Williams' memoirs again at the moment.

Biggest pet peeve?
Rude people. There is just no need.

Favourite film?
Probably 'Clueless' right now!

Favourite smell?
Bread. All the bread!

What’s the best bargain you've ever got?
I got a brilliant leopard print pencil skirt for a £1 and I wore it endlessly.

Finish this sentence…. “I'm happiest when…..”
I'm in my bed....coorie in!

What’s the best invention ever?
Probably the coat-hanger..?

What advice would you give your teenage self? 
Chill out! Don't be so serious! 



@YouLuckyPanda. 

Kirsty is always willing and aiming to try new things and branch out. From teaching herself how to design her sets on Google Sketch Up to mentoring students, she's keen to constantly diversify. There's no big grand plan or one route she is following but there's sure to be many journeys and adventures as she doesn't pigeon hole herself or limit her imagination. With an abundance of skills and armed with enthusiasm, Kirsty is keen to learn, know and create more. Her social media handle may be @youluckypanda but it's purely hard graft, talent and passion that has got Kirsty to where she is today! She is mild mannered, always smiling and all about the PMA! She has time and interest for what you are doing and although passionate about what she does, isn't boastful. Her work is beyond beautiful and her drive, inspiring. I'm thrilled to have had the opportunity to meet and work alongside her in recent times and hope to continue to.  She deserves every success and I'm excited to see what she does next! 


Get involved!


Kirsty is teaching Set & Costume Design Classes which start in the Autumn at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow.
The term starts on the 6th of September and runs on Tuesday nights, 7pm-9pm, until the 29th of November. 
Open to any adults interested in theatre design-no previous knowledge or experience necessary! The term costs £110 (£100 concession) and includes all materials. 
Secure YOUR place by getting in touch with the Tron Box Office on 0141 552 4267 or to find out more, contact lisa.keenan@tron.co.uk 



Go follow Kirsty on Twitter @youluckypanda

Sunday 10 July 2016

What’s LOVE got to do with it?





Arguably what every songwriter, poet and on-line dating applicant is motivated and inspired by, love and the pursuit of it can be no mean feat, yet it drives so many of us through life as we receive it, give it away and sometimes fend it off when we should embrace it. If loving yourself is the key to eternal happiness and the loving of another is best served when that love is reciprocated, then when do you find the time to love what you do? Isn't that also important and life fulfilling? 'You're a long time dead' they say but you're also a while living, so it's vital we all reap some pleasure from this journey called life that we are all on.   

Earning the big bucks and owning everything your heart desires may sound nice but in the long slog to achieving success, if you dread, loathe and positively fear the pang of the impending Monday morning blues, are you really ‘making it’? Clock watching longing for home time, finding yourself mumbling obscenities and expletives at your co-workers, your boss and the printer may feel like part and parcel of the working world, but does it need to be that way? Could you be doing more of something you love? Could you even earn a living doing it?


My parents always encouraged me to pursue what I loved to do. I was given boundless opportunity to experience the things I enjoyed and ultimately htis led me down the path to where I am now. Teaching dance and choreographing for a living was never something I considered to be a career option for me and not that anyone had told me otherwise, I just didn't put the thought out into the ether to allow it to develop into some form of a reality. I promptly quashed the idea and opted for what I thought was my destiny-studying something sciency! I dabbled with the notion of doing prosthetics, optometry and psychology applying for a variety of courses.  I was academic at high school and so was encouraged to aim for university which I happily did- got in, got the degree (of the English Studies variety (not science!) and then realised I still wanted to dance! So I did and several years down the line I'm doing what I love but NOT regretting that path I went down one bit. 

Sounds simple but it hasn't all been a walk in the park. Working in the Arts can often bring uncertainty as postilions are often not permanent and as freelancer it's a constant search for the next job.   'Find something you love and you'll never work a day in your life' is a  load of cack-a-lacka! Excuse me but just because it makes getting out of bed in the morning a little more bearable, does not mean that it cannot be called work! The hard work is real and the long (sometimes unsociable) hours a given. The  lengthy commutes and the inability to switch off (EVER!!) will always be a factor but any negatives are outweighed immeasurably by the positives and that's what makes me go on. Love, since the beginning of time, has always presented the good with the bad; the highs and the lows and every contradiction in the book but the joys of love always prevail. I'm willing to go the extra mile for what I love to do. 

All the cliches and mantras aside, finding love is for everyone-you just need to be open to it. A little bold and brave at times and ready for the prospect of rejection, you must not settle and you must never give up. The work-life balance can be a battle won, as both merge and each one compliments the other. 

Approaching it like an on-line dating application (which I actually have no prior knowledge of. Just surmising!), you: 

1. Have to be open to suggestion but always go with your gut instinct. 
2. Be yourself and confident in what you have to offer.
3. Seek the help of others in your search. Those around you will know you well and want the best for you. 
4. Don't panic when it seems to be going right!!!! It probably is all good and you should be happy with that!!!

Love takes guts and grit-it even hurts (according to Nazareth) but we're told with every love song that it's all we need. It's something you can't hurry, it's a battlefield and it's all around (Sorry, enough of the song lyrics!) but it's always worth aiming for. It may seem unrealistic to consider the notion of pursuing 'the dream' but a little of something you fancy can go along way, so why not start with doing more of what you love every day?! I'm not suggesting you quit the 9-5 tomorrow-my freelance dance tutor/choreographer's ass has got to pay the bills each month so I totally get it! You have commitments and obligations to uphold but ask yourself, "Could I do a bit more of what I love?". Dance around the house more, join an art group, start that blog....whatever it is, inject your life with that creative edge that's always been there but has been afraid to come out to play. If it never turns in to more than a hobby, is all lost? God no! Immersing yourself in creativity softens all of life's blows-that Monday morning alarm won't grate just as much if you know by 6pm you'll be shakin' your thang at dance class or losing yourself in writing a new song , guitar in hand!

I am fully aware that I may not always get to do what I love for a living-that's why I cherish it so dearly and never take anything for granted. I am extremely lucky to be doing what I love and building my career, but in the same breath, I've worked bloomin' hard and made many sacrifices to make it a reality. Low paid jobs, long commutes, redundancy due to lack of funding have all played a factor along the way but I guess that's what has made the journey more of an adventure. I'll always dance...that love affair will never fizzle out, even if it is no longer part of my work-life. 

What has LOVE got to do with it? 
Everything and I'm delighted with my love story thus far! Now, go start yours! 

Peace out x

Love


Friday 8 July 2016

The Braw and The Brave Meet.......Deborah McArthur




Meet Deborah McArthur, a Drama Facilitator, Director and Theatre Maker from Glasgow. Her passions are theatre and people and when you meet her you get that. To date she has worked, and continues to collaborate, with a variety of organisations across Scotland, including the Tron Theatre, National Theatre of Scotland, Random Accomplice Theatre Company, Horsecross Arts and Youth Theatre Arts Scotland.  She speaks of her work so eloquently and with an infectious energy that it's evident she is doing exactly what she loves and what she was born to do. Currently based at the Tron Theatre as a Drama Officer, Deborah is also working freelance with the Scottish Opera. 

After graduating with an HND in Acting and Performance, she headed South to study Drama at The University of Sunderland. Working in theatre hadn't always been the plan per se, but her involvement in a high school production where she played a granny had sparked an interest. A Community Arts module within her college course prompted an interest in devising and directing, and in turn helped her select the degree she wished to apply for. However, her experience of the course confirmed she wouldn't be pursuing a career in acting, but she didn't view it as a wasted opportunity - "I don't think it was a waste of time. I think to work in theatre it's good to know more. The experience you've had shapes what you do in the future. Unless you push something away or are negative towards it, I don't think anything can be a bad experience" . 
 Deborah is a fantastic storyteller. From on stage with the wonderful works of theatre she creates, to when you're sat right in front of her where she's telling you about the time her brother told his friend at a party (unbeknownst to Deborah!) that she was a mime artist on Buchanan Street, or the awkward moment when she was gifted a voodoo doll from a young person at the end of a project (which turned out to be a voodoo doll for being so AWESOME!!), you are engaged and feel like you are right there.  Recounting a story of a former rather quirky physical theatre coach she had at college, she remembers him stressing the importance of embodying a character when acting- not to scratch or fidget as you are then only ever  "half doing it". This is a theme that  Deborah has embraced wholeheartedly- she doesn't do anything by halves. 




I first had the pleasure of meeting and working with Deborah a number of years ago on the child protection and internet safety project Artsnet in primary schools, and she was a dream to collaborate with. Friendly, engaging, organised, a team player and an outstanding facilitator with an abundance of skills and ideas, we clicked and I was so appreciative and motivated by our time working together. Recently we teamed up for a second time when she kindly invited me to work on some choreography for her Youth Theatre show 'Imagine That' at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow. Again being creative with Deborah in the room is made so much more possible- she offers ideas but clears the way for her fellow Creatives to explore and devise their work in the way they want to. Her energy is never intrusive or overbearing-it's ever so encouraging and inspiring. 






The People

For Deborah her focus is on others-the participants come first and they are at the forefront of all her planning and delivery.  "For younger participants it's about giving them a voice. Everybody's comments and ideas are valid. Whereas with older participants, they have loads to say but when it comes to getting up and doing it that's where their inhibitions come in."What is always a given when working with non-professionals is the opportunity to help boost self-confidence and provide a platform for people of all ages to explore their potential. "Seeing them understand something...or the penny drop....there's something really beautiful in watching people". Deborah is ever-eager to share her knowledge of theatre with her participants. She sees having a passion for education as a catalyst to unlocking inner confidence. "I don't dull down the language...making sure that they can use that language. Knowledge brings confidence."

 Working with a people of all ages, abilities and from all walks of life is a real highlight of the work she so beautifully describes. From Early Years classes where the phrase 'out of the mouths of babes' was almost certainly coined, to her more recent work with dementia patients directing Scottish Opera's 'Memory Spinners' project, the diversity is evidently something that she both enjoys and is comfortable operating within. "Rolling about the floor with a bit of blue fabric over me making some sort of animal noise. I completely lose myself!"Deborah's ability to cast aside any inhibitions to provide the best experience for her participants extends to outside the workshop or rehearsal space. Although a seasoned pro, Deborah is ever keen to expand her knowledge and understanding in order to better herself as a Creative. Next week she is off to London to take part in a full-day workshop on creating with people with Alzheimer's in the Arts. Having a thirst and a willingness to never stop learning is clearly what has steered her to success and she is driven unselfishly by her appreciation and consideration of the people she works with. 


 Her partner Stuart, family members and friends have always been supportive, with her parents being "proud as punch as they see me doing something I love".  Despite some people not always fully understanding what it is she does, Deborah has the support of those closest to her. "Stuart's friends thought I was an actress and their reasoning behind that was that I was very confident and they knew I worked in theatre, so they put two and two together........whereas most of the actresses I know are such complex characters and that's why they are able to morph into someone else, I only know how to be me" 

The Passion for the Process  
 Armed with an initial idea, related themes and a workshop plan, Deborah embarks on the journey of devising a new piece with the intention to work collaboratively from the get-go. She admits "There is a lot of self doubt at the beginning of wondering, 'is the idea enough?'" but in the same instance, reassures her participants, "There's never a bad idea. Some ideas will make something that will be a minute, others will make something that is 5 minutes". It's refreshing to hear that, like myself, Deborah admits she is not immune to the odd creative inner panic and that you don't initially tap into the advice you so readily offer up to your participants. More recently, the reality of her show only being 36 pages of script ignited the fear. "I had heard years ago that it was a minute a page...so this show will only be 36 minutes long!! Then I started thinking really stupid things like we'll put it up 5 minutes late and we'll play the bows out for longer.....and in reality, it ran at 1 hour 16 minutes the first time we ran it!"
  
With over 10 years' experience, Deborah acknowledges that with that comes the ability and confidence to re-evaluate and adapt your own ways of working. " Creativity when working on a show is one thing.....but more recently I've gotten better at making sure participants understand the workshop experience is just as creative. Its not all about making a show, its about being in a room and being creative that's just as valuable.  Looking back at old notepads the workshops are all bullet points....and then I look at plans now and it's like I've written a story! I want us all to immerse ourselves in it and lose ourselves in the 2 hours! And I feel that has come with experience"Never one to rest on her laurels or be complacent, Deborah self-evaluates her facilitation and the work she produces. "It's not about whether it was good or bad because I always think what we make is good. I truly believe in what we do....ask yourself was it successful in delivering what you set out to do?

  Deborah considers herself a very visual person, seeing her work as a series of pictures, with emphasis on keeping things moving and interesting. Constantly sourcing ideas from the world around you and shifting them around in your mind's eye to get it just right means it's virtually impossible to fully switch off from the task in hand.  "It's not a job and that's the difference. It's always ticking away, even if I don't realise it. Although, I have gotten better at trying to take personal time which I didn't before. This has just happened....and this will be my 10th year doing this!!". In an attempt to find an unrelated hobby, as a participant in a 10 week fashion course Deborah inadvertently found herself right back at work. "I started to evaluate the facilitation in the session and think how I would have facilitated the workshop and that's when I knew I wouldn't be booking another 10 weeks!". 
 Fully accepting of the unsociable longs hours that come part in parcel of working in theatre, it's her passion. The fact that she can't fully switch off from it and that it takes up so much of her time just isn't an issue. She accepts the sacrifices made for working in the arts are and she considers them irrelevant when you adore what you're doing. "My brother will say to my niece and nephew as a joke...'Don't grow up and be like your Aunty Deborah. You'll never make any money and you'll spend a lot of your time in imaginary spaces!'". 
   
The Pitfalls 
Tackling the less positive aspects of being a Creative can be daunting for even the most experienced practitioners. Self-doubt is something most deal with and we all have our ways of coping and combating it when it rears it's ugly head. As someone who dreads what I consider the crippling, unproductive pang of self doubt, Deborah's positive spin on it makes me wonder if I should be as fearful as I am. "I think it's self doubt that keeps me right. I think it's needed when I'm working on something". 

 She fends-off any threat of creative blockages too by drawing on her training and the continued professional development she takes time to nurture, advising that workshop plans can be inspired by something someone else has tried and tested. She also believes that in recognising and focusing on your strengths rather than your weak spots encourages creativity. Many Directors have an angle, one viewpoint or a single statement that they are always selling to the world through their work, which Deborah admits she doesn't possess and initially considered this to be a flaw.  " I had a conversation years ago with someone who works in the industry and I had said to him, I don't know what my 'thing' is....if you were to give me money, I don't know what I'd make. And I think that is really telling that participation and working with groups and collaborating with them is where I'm meant to be"Pushing one idea wouldn't be conducive to her work and she is now more accepting of that. 
The Pointers
Deborah is such an open book and so giving of herself and her knowledge. The things she has learned and taken on board from others along the way she has exercised to suit her style of facilitation. She can now, with years of experience under her belt, pass on similar advice with confidence. She's got the T-shirt, has it in various colours and is wearing it daily. She stresses that it's important to trust your instincts which she feels she has been able to do more easily having worked in theatre for so long, but there's something in-keeping a hint of self-doubt "as without it you'll get lost in an ego". She has fine-tuned a balance of confidence-meets-self-doubt and they work harmoniously so as not to distract her from being the best she can be in her profession. 
 Something that struck a chord with me was her idea of creating a tag line or blurb for who you are and what you do. A way of explaining clearly and concisely what you have to offer whenever you're asked to without regurgitating your CV. "Something that means you don't have to over explain yourself". Seems like an obvious thing to do, but often we're so busy doing what we do, we don't take the time or forget to market ourselves as we would the product we are creating. 
   Deborah is ever the professional and clearly takes what she does very seriously, but she is still able to take a step back from it and get some perspective of the world she is immersed in, "What I do is really important and really meaningful for the participants that are experiencing it but I'm not curing some illness.....this is for enjoyment's sake and so if someone forgets a line and someone goes in the wrong direction the world won't end....and there'll have been something magical in that moment". 


  
The Penultimates
First single/album you bought?
"East 17's 'Stay Another Day' on tape"
If you could have an unlimited amount of something, what would it be?
"Accessories...I think I'd quite like to wear all black but it would be the accessories that speak"
Favourite place/city to visit?
"New York, without a doubt!"
Morning person or night owl?
"Morning person. The older I get the better I'm getting 
at being an night owl.
 Going to bed at midnight...that's Rock and Roll for me!"
Favourite word?
"Recently I've realised it's been 'lovely' "
Last book you read?
"Lena Dunham's 'Not That Kind of Girl'"

Biggest pet peeve? 
"People smacking when they're eating!"
Life motto/mantra?
"I don't think I've got one. I just try to be positive "
Coffee or Tea?
"Nada! No hot drinks, except hot chocolate but only from big chains where it's filled with chocolate powder"

Twitter or Instagram ?
"Instagram....I love a hashtag"
Last song that was stuck in your head?
" Red Red Wine'. 
Stuart bought me an 80s album but it's present day artists singing covers" 
"Roasted cheese" or "toasted cheese"?
"Toasted cheese"
Favourite time of year?
"Autumn. I love the colours and the excitement leading up to Christmas" 
Favourite smell?
"Bread"
If you could do one thing to help the world, what would you do?
"I'd give my time more. I think if everyone gave more time then we'd more considerate of everyone and more understanding" 
The Peroration 

Deborah is the kind of person who lights up a room when she enters. Her enthusiasm and zest for life is palpable and by being in her company you are simultaneously made to feel at ease but also energized. She has clearly found her niche in life and she excels and delights in every aspect of her work. A gorgeous Creative inside and out, Deborah was the perfect first collaborator for this blog and I will be eternally grateful for the opportunities I've had to work with her and her willingness to support and encourage this venture. Thank you Deborah!  

The Particulars 


Deborah McArthurDrama Facilitator | Director  | Theatre Makerwww.deborahmcarthur.com