The Braw and The Brave Meet..... Greg Robertson

Greg Robertson has always been a bit of a song and dance man. From the tender age of 4 he was pestering his mum to allow him attend dance classes with the girls she child-minded and tagging along to the local amateur dramatics club to watch her tread the boards. He caught the performance bug early on starring in many a school show as a teenager growing up in Cumbernauld. Seizing any opportunity to perform Greg, over the years, has been involved with a variety projects and in 2014 was delighted to dance at the Commonwealth Games Opening ceremony in Glasgow. "I loved the large-scale formation work. We rehearsed on a football pitch which was all marked out. That kind of choreography work fascinates me".

 He soon became a triple threat enjoying singing and acting as well as dance, joining a local am-dram club and it was there he found his passion for choreography. "When I was with the Apollo Players I remember watching John Carlyle choreographing a number and I was amazed". Whilst studying a Community Arts Degree, Greg started singing with a community choir in Glasgow, Musichoir Scotland and eventually took on the role of choreographer for both their Glasgow and Ayrshire branches. 6 years on Greg continues to work with Choir Master Neil Thomson to create full-scale, lively productions. "At first I wondered just how much I'd be able to achieve working with non-dancers but over time I have become a lot more confident in my abilities to get the best from them. They are always so grateful for your support!"

Musichoir Scotland

As a freelance artist, Greg has had to create his own opportunities approaching amateur clubs to work on their productions. Teaming up with Runway Theatre Company in 2015 for the show Evita,  Greg admits "They took a chance on me as I'd never choreographed a full-scale musical before!". But it was a chance worth taking and having just produced a show-stopping dance extravaganza  with their sell-out run of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, it's a certainty the club won't be looking back on their decision to hire him. Not one to do things by half, he also stepped back in to limelight and in to the (sky-scraper high) shoes of one of show's leads and with 25 musical numbers to choreograph it was no mean feat juggling the two tasks in hand. "On opening night I actually felt sick. The show had had so much buzz surrounding it, I just wanted it to go well". And indeed it did, with standing ovations and rave reviews cementing that they had produced something quite spectacular. With energetic, fun-filled performances, Greg's choreography brought each number to life with verve and vigour. 

Runway Theatre Company's Priscilla Queen of the Dessert, 2017

The creative process for Greg starts with the music, continually listening to a song whilst commuting helps to get a basic outline of the number in his head, adding the detail latterly. Picturing formations, changes of level and the ebb and flow of a piece initially helps to shape a blueprint version of the choreography without having to delve into the intricacies from the get-go. He draws his inspiration from the music and his performance background and although he respects how others may have preciously produced a number, he feels it important to not be too influenced by what has come before. "With some numbers in certain shows, there are those movements or moments where you'd be doing it a disservice if you didn't reference something that is seen as iconic but mostly I prefer to do my own version".  Like any good practitioner he is ever-prepared but leaves enough wiggle room within his work to allow the rehearsal room the freedom to breed it's own steps. When a creative blockage arises it can be a real stumbling block when you're working to a deadline. Rather than risk producing something that doesn't feel right Greg explains, "When I think "Right, I need to get this choreographed today" and then nothing seems to come to mind, in those scenarios I find it's best to step away from it momentarily and come back to it at a later time".

In the Heights 

Working with his performers Greg is able to also draw ideas from how they move and interact. Playing to everyone's strengths is a vital part of directing amateur performers of all ages and abilities and it's Greg job to produce choreography, however simplistic or intricate, that everyone involved can achieve and bring to life on stage confidently. Your teaching style and the support and encouragement you give is what can make or break the final product. "When I first stepped off-stage to choreograph a show, I wondered if I'd get the same buzz as I did performing.....it was actually better! I sat in the audience on the opening night balling my eyes out. I was so proud". Over the last year or so he has worked on a a number of musicals, including In The Heights with Glasgow Music Theatre, The Addams Family with Eastwood Entertainers.

The freelance life can sometimes be a solo venture, so getting the chance to team up with other creatives wherever possible is so rewarding. Both Greg and I had the pleasure of co-choreographing Theatre Royal Glasgow's Stage Experience production of The Wizard of Oz last summer and personally, working with Greg was a real highlight of what was a wonderful (crazy busy!) two weeks. Being open to collaborating with and learning from others is something that all creatives should embrace. Greg has worked with directors, musicians, other choreographers like myself and has appreciated every opportunity he has been given thus far to grow as an artist. 
"I'm the first person to congratulate another choreographer when I've enjoyed their work. I'll also happily recommend someone else for a job I can't take on".  There are always new lessons to be learned along the way and with experience comes the confidence to go with your instincts and believe in your strengths as a creative. "If I had any advice when creating something from scratch, it would be to trust yourself. When something feels like it may not work, try to stick with it and see what the outcome is". Greg endeavours to be supportive and encouraging to fellow performers and colleagues. With every project he undertakes he faces it with great enthusiasm and a drive to produce the best work he can. He has a passion for musical theatre and it's one he enjoys sharing with others. "You just have to enjoy it and always remember you're really lucky to be doing something you love". 

First single you ever bought?

Britney Spears' 'Hit Me Baby'. I had posters of her all over my room"

If you could have an unlimited amount of something, what would it be?

"Time to go see more shows. It's so hard finding the time to go and support other amateur productions" 

Most commonly used word?

My girlfriend says I say 'Okay' a lot. She says I use it at the start of sentences even when it doesn't make any sense!"

Hidden talent?

"I can play the trombone!" 

Favourite musical?

"That's a difficult one....it changes all the time. I love WICKED! But if I had the chance I'd love to choreograph Chicago"

Keep up with Greg via his Facebook page!!

https://www.facebook.com/GregRobertsonChoreography/

How to La La Land your Happily Ever After

I'm no film buff, nor am I an avid frequenter of my local multiplex, lining up to bag the best seats in the house for the latest blockbusters the second they are released.  I feel my admission of being a novice excuses any opinion that I may be about to put out into the ether that 'experts' may find fault with. Going to see La La Land, starring the Hollywood powerhouses, Emma Stone & Ryan Gosling, I had formed an idea of what the film would be. Wrong move right there! Why I chose to decide what it was all about (or what I thought it should be) in advance, I do not know. Was I  let down? No, not at all. Just surprised I guess and with surprise, there's always that moment of questioning the whos, whys, whats and wheres....which led me to writing this. 

I think La La Land challenges what a movie musical once was and has been up until this point. Tipping it's oh so dapper, yet modern hat to the golden era of film, not only does it juxtaposition the vintage with the shiny new but creates an entire uncharted version of what a movie musical can be. I could complain that I expected more dance scenes or that the dream sequence wasn't long enough or that there weren't as many songs as I'd hoped for but in doing so, I'd be saying there's a correct way of doing things and well, maybe there's not. Where's the instruction manual or mould that all movie musicals should adhere to in order to be classed as successful? I doubt they exist, or at least, I believe that they shouldn't. The attention to detail was impeccable throughout, with the cinematography, set design, wardrobe and choreography alone all harmonising beautifully to have you comfortably suspended somewhere between the past and the present. There's no way that all of those choices were flippantly tossed in to the mix without careful consideration. So if i were to question the integrity and intentions of Director Damien Chazelle, I'd framing his decisions as bi-products of laziness or lack of imagination. I think my preconceived ideas being unfounded left me a smidgen shell shocked and in limbo state of loving the film for challenging what I thought it would be and feeling uncomfortable with it's body swerve away from what we know and love of the classic movie musical.

As the credits started to roll, my mum's first words to me were "Well that was weird!" and yeah, it was, if by 'weird' you mean bold and somewhat brave. Without spoiling it entirely for those who haven't seen it yet, in harking back to a time that we often look to through rose tinted spectacles of idealism and romance and placing it in the here and now, the film reminds us that much of what we consume as entertainment via TV, film and the Internet nowadays is reality. We are obsessed with turning the mirror on ourselves and analysing every fragment of our being. You can't move for reality programmes and I wonder, what is all this real life stuff doing for the soul? We no longer crave escapism and have forgotten how to dream the impossible dream. Floating on clouds, tapping dancing at sunset and your eyes meeting over a crowded room as you fall head over heels in love are all possible in a movie musical and in the cynical, downtrodden, disillusioned reality we often face day to day, we should be seeking out the wonderment and whimsical worlds that the expressive arts can capture and transport you to. I love a real life story turned box-office smash as much as the next person but as La La Land lifts you off to a place where you dare to dream real life doesn't seem so appealing anymore. 

What really impresses me about this film is, just as you give yourself over to the song and dance, La La Land flips everything on it's head and shows us that, whilst we can get lost in nostalgia and romance, we are indeed living our #reallives with not so picture perfect, happily ever after endings. Sounds depressing, eh? But in selecting the best of what films like Singing in the Rain and The Sound of Music have to offer, it then marries that with something we can relate to in the present day-something more tangible. In combining both worlds, it encourages you to consider the the what-ifs and pipe dreams we often suppress but also forces us to consider the Hollywood ending to not be the be all and end all-that finding our destiny, even when it looks very different to the one we'd hoped for, can still be a triumph. It teaches us that maybe there are struggles, disappointments and difficult decisions to be met with but if we allow our imaginations to soar and our inhibitions to dissolve, we'll find those moments of pure joy that will have is dancing in the rain. 

Will You #brawitbraveit?

Hey there 2017ers!

The Braw and The Brave NEED YOU...... to get CREATIVE! 

I want the blog and it's social media sites to be a place where EVERYONE can be creative so I introduce to you BRAW-IT BRAVE-IT- an invitation for you to SHARE YOUR CREATIVITY! 

A doodle on an electricity bill envelope; a photo of that really nice building you saw on your way to work; your first attempt at origami; a wee poem your wrote on a birthday card! Anything goes! The beauty of being creative is that you can do no wrong! I'm not looking for masterpieces....just having a go! 

If being creative/arty/'one of those folk that makes stuff' seems alien to you, why not be brave and give it a bash?! Taking time to lose yourself in creating something from scratch can be good for the mind and soul! Sharing this with others can open up a world of possibilities! 

Share your BRAW-IT BRAVE-ITs on our Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag 

#brawitbraveit and I'll be sure to share them with others to inspire conversation, appreciation & more creativity! 

Happy creating peeps!

Lis x

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad......YOU?!

As a Creative person fervently working away, honing your craft and attempting to make an honest crust in the process, it’s often difficult to find the time or the inclination to pop your head up out of the rabbit hole every once in a while to assess what it is that is making (or indeed breaking!) a success of the career you’re lovingly carving out for yourself.  It’s inevitable you’ll be in a constant state of changing, challenging and tweaking your skills, practice and end product but taking in to consideration what your other selling points are can be a real eye opener….and hopefully, will ultimately involve opening some doors too.  Yes you want to deliver the best possible body of work you can-one that you’re certain your audiences/clients/fans will devour and delight in. However what I personally have found is a real key in the world of freelance and being a Creative is your personality. Credentials and accolades aside, what gets your two feet in the door and under the table is the YOU in it all. Allowing your personality to come through in every aspect of your creative life I think is essential to achieving those successes you aim for. 

‘People buy people not products’ is a phrase that resonates with me. Yes I can dance, choreograph and teach well but a lot of the feedback I receive is not always focused on the content of my lessons or the work I present but how I was received by others when I was delivering that session or that particular project. If I allow myself to be the truest version of me, even in the most professional of situations or environments and remain confident in who I am, I know I will be better equipped to deliver the goods. This also rings true in scenarios where I haven’t even got the job yet. If I go to a meeting or interview about a potential choreography job, yes my knowledge and prior experience is paramount but of course, they will have been the driving force behind me getting the interview in the first place. The next step is to let my personality and the drive and excitement I have for the work I do shine through. If someone is considering working with or hiring you to do what you do best, they want to feel like YOU are the one they need, as well as your work being the perfect fit.

Now reading this back to myself, I fear it may appear that I'm somehow implying it’s all about charming your way up some career ladder or indeed that I consider myself to have this awe-inspiring, totes amaze-balls personality that folks just can’t resist!. It’s not that at all!  Most Creatives will tell you that they aren't preoccupied with any manner of climbing apparatus, after all what goes up, must come down. There is no ladder, no end point nor final goal for creative types and so, a life’s work is only about new experiences, new information and new connections.  In my experience, in order to take full advantage of one’s ability as a Creative it’s important to play to your strengths and worry less about what you consider to be your weaknesses. YOU are your own unique selling point and not being afraid to allow your personality stretch it’s (fabulous!) legs can be a real barrier between you and your potential. If you’re funny, caring, witty, whatever you feel is you at your best, it’s vital you don’t dull that sparkle for fear of appearing unprofessional or less committed or focused in a work setting. If you are being you, you are relaxed and feel more confident in even the most unfamiliar of settings. In turn, those around you will be motivated, inspired or comforted by how at ease you are and they will feel more able to be themselves. This creates the optimum environment for creativity to flourish! Simples!

We can all think of that one person that, whenever you're with them, they are always the same way. It's refreshing to be in the company of someone who is at ease and is confident that their unique personality will suffice in any situation. They don't feel compelled to mask or alter who they are for each new encounter and that's inspiring stuff right there. In a world that at time feels preoccupied with concealing who we are, in favour of a contoured, enhanced version of the truth, it's empowering to identify and celebrate what makes us the person we are. It isn't about nailing the interview, getting the job and making the big bucks- Que sera sera! Essentially,  if you be you, creatively sparks will fly and we all live for those kind of fireworks!  

Now go DO YOU! x

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

Human Jenga? and Other Questions

The Creative Process can be an tumultuous adventure peppered with so many contradictions. Moments of intense anxiety and stress find themselves in juxtaposition with periods of time where everything is plain-sailing and going your way. It can be a drawn-out, lengthy affair at points and then, all of a sudden, you find yourself moving from A-B quicker than you can say 'create'. Having an idea is one thing but what you do next to realise the vision is another. Every creative has their way of doing things and over time this evolves and morphs into something very different as we get to grips with what helps us get the juices flowing and what causes a draught. Looking to others for inspiration is a given and although we may not always seek out their advice and opinions (quite often you actively avoid it!), what they do, say, wear, think, produce can open up a world of creative possibilities or simply provide that tiny jigsaw piece that was missing. 

In my line of work, the creative process is always a journey that I embark on with others. Even when I'm alone, at home barefoot in my spare room attempting to choreograph the opening number to a show on a rainy Tuesday morning, I'm working with others. I have the dancers in mind-How do they move? What will they find challenging? What will excite them? Then there's the audience- What do they want to see? What do they need to see? Will they understand the story better through the choreography? Not forgetting other choreographers-What did they do with this number? What didn't they do that I could? And so, I start to make something that speaks to all of these people that I may have never even met before and might never and I think this is true for many creatives. Inspiration has to come from somewhere, something or someone- a painting, a song, a film, your granny's net curtains....whatever it may be, we all look outwardly at the world around us in the hope of igniting something inside. 

On the way back to my car today I came across this awesome piece of street art on the side of a Strathclyde University building. My initial reaction was 'oh that's cool' and I liked it enough to photograph it. But as I headed up the hill, I started to think of the artist's inspiration and the reasons why it was chosen for that particular wall. Art is meant to get you thinking and that's exactly what it did. Kudos to the artist for nailing that one! Looking at those 6 dudes in their black shorts and gym shoes, I started to wonder who in the scenario instigated this human jenga-like tableau.

The Dude Far Left: Did he do a handstand, begin to fall and the guy now supporting him ran in to catch his feet then decided to place them on his shoulders, thus starting off the entire piece? Et voila! A cool pose and a crisis averted. Or, did he fully intend to create this pose, instructing the other guy where to be exactly in order to acheive his vision. Does it matter how it happened? Is it not enough to say that this was the result? 

The Dude Standing, Facing Left: Was he the Hero as discussed above or was he the initial mastermind behind this set up? Is he afraid of heights or being upside down and so chose to be the base guy? His pose is pretty dull in comparison to the others but if we took him out of the equation, what would happen? 

The Dude Planking, Facing Left: Was it him that kicked it all off? Without the others he'd be doing his thing on the ground which certainly wouldn't be as impressive. But then again, he is arguably what makes this more interesting to look at, so is he the key to it's success? 

The Dude Planking, Facing Right: He's at the top, so maybe this was all his idea being the bravest one in the group. Again, if you took him out of the picture it would still be a spectacle but do you agree, he almost adds a hint of danger and excitement to it all?

The Dude Standing, Facing Right; Was this where it all began? Like his counterpart, standing on the other side,  he may have been the initiating piece of the puzzle from where everyone then took inspiration. We can all agree that without him, the picture would look very different. Just because his role wouldn't be deemed the most exciting one, does it mean we can't consider him as valuable?

The Dude Far Right: Whether he is a confident gymnast or someone being supported in a position he cannot hold himself, this guy is adding to the interest of it all. He's upside down for a start (what's not to like?!) and he's creating an element of symmetry to the picture (with his hand standing counterpart) which we can all appreciate. 

Was this six-man, Cirque Du Soleil set-up the goal or was it created out of sheer mishap? Was it a collaborative project involving the ideas of all six involved or was their one choreographer calling the shots? If it were the latter, is he in the picture or is there a 7th member of the group who was overseeing the entire thing from humble beginnings to it's final flourish? What we can't deny is that without those 6 bodies (aside from the number of brains that may or may not have been involved) this would have remained an idea and not a reality.  Did the artist witness this in real life or did he or she draw inspiration from other stimuli, using university life and Strathclyde's motto,  'The Place of Useful Learning' as a catalyst to creating the final artwork? 

It is likely we'll never know the answers to all these queries but do we need to? Is it not enough, just to be asking questions that may inspire us to create something for ourselves? The creativity that could go into making that six man tower isn't tangible or measurable and that's what makes the creative process a place of awesome contradictions and stifling wonderment. It's what makes the thing you create....literally! A long and winding road at times, it is never one which you travel alone....us creatives aren't solo travellers. Sometime we need to call on some dudes in short shorts and plimsoles to realise our dreams. 

Fingers, Pies and Everything in Between

For those who know me and have taken the time to click the link and have found themselves here wondering, 'What's that Lisa Kennedy up to now?!' (that's what you thought, eh?!), I thank you kindly for being curious enough to dedicate a pocket of your valuable social media scrolling time to moi. For those who don't know me, the people that do would tell you that 'I'm always up to something!'. Not in a devious, scheming sort of way of course, but more and more often, I find that when folks ask me what I'm up to in general day to day conversation, it always results in them remarking on how busy I am and the variety of 'pies I have my fingers in' as it were. Sometimes it can feel more like spinning plates than delighting in baked goods if I'm honest but all my life (all 33.5 years of it) I have felt and followed the urge to create. Dance, music, events....a mess (as my husband would add!) and it's always resulted in something. Big or small, appreciated or unnoticed, life changing or a fleeting pastime, whatever the outcome of this surge of creativity I'm never left feeling that it was a waste of my time. There's something, however small, to be gained from giving in to that instinct to make stuff. 

I think that's the reason why I have always migrated towards others who are also creative and find them the most easy to connect with. I admire those who are bold or brave enough to make something and then put it out in to the world for others to chew on. For a lot of creatives, the process is enough and the final piece of work is a bi-product, a souvenir of all the fun, frustration and fervour. Some bodies of work never see the light of day and are for the creator's sole (and soul!) enjoyment. For others, they send their 'new baby' in to the big bad world fully aware that they risk coming up against the Negative Nancys of the world but do so anyway, basking in the pride of what they have produced with their personal stamp firmly on it. 

I salute those who create and savour every aspect of the journey. They take the rough with the smooth and power through to make things of beauty that they and more often than not, others can enjoy and be inspired by. Inspiration is born out of life's ups and downs and that's where the beauty lies. A rap about the passing of a dear friend; street art celebrating a city's diverse culture; a dance piece about modern society's obsession with 'the perfect body'. Creatives make sense of and in turn, speak to the world around them through that which they create. It's when their world sits up, takes notice and changes in some way, shape or form for the better that they feel that 'spark'! 

It's my initial intention to showcase some of the most forward-thinking, fun-loving, talented creatives that I have the pleasure of knowing. In time I hope that in doing so I'll get to know more of these fine beings and be able to share their stories, wisdom and everything in between with you. 

Information is key. No man is an island. Whit's fur ye won't go by ye.....whatever your mantra, there's something to be gained from joining the army that is, The Braw and The Brave. 

Stay tuned. 

Love and Light, Lisa