The Braw and The Brave Meet....Martin Corcoran

Meet Martin Corcoran, Senior Tutor at the community music charity, Reeltime Music in North Lanarkshire. I am already feeling rather guilty about labelling him with a singular job title, as in reality, what Martin does on a day to day basis would blow the minds of the busiest of multitaskers. Martin has grown up with the charity and indeed, Reeltime with him. From humble beginnings in the late nineties, Martin and Project Manager Ryan Currie invested the blood, sweat and tears required to elevate what started as a room with a drum kit and some amps, to the multifaceted organisation which sees literally 1000s of young people each year being supported and given opportunities through the arts. Music tuition, song writing, recording and music video production, Reeltime’s goal is to spark confidence within their participants to explore their own potential within a safe, friendly, relaxed and encouraging environment. Their story to date is extremely inspiring and the success of Reeltime and in particular, its youth work, has been possible because of the drive and determination of those who believed in it enough to make it a reality.

Martin’s love of music started at a young age and although it was sport he had initially considered as a career path, when his best mate’s dad had given him a handful of guitar lessons, told him to "bugger off and learn the rest yourself!" , he soon realised where his passion and a natural talent lay. Immersing himself in learning to play guitar riffs and the chords to his favourite songs, Martin could usually be found in the school’s music department or at a local youth music group (later named, Reeltime) devoting much of his time to being in bands and creating music.  With his heart set on studying Electronics with Music at the University of Glasgow, the slight, if not vital issue of not having a qualification in music didn’t faze him. With his eye on the prize he was given the go-ahead by his school to crash Higher Music in his final year, achieving the ‘B’ he needed to get on to the course. His appetite to learn everything there was to know and to hone his skills saw him use his student loan to buy all the equipment he needed to have his own set up at home. “Studio techniques were my thing, I’d record anyone and anything just to get the experience!”

Martin’s commitment to his studies and his craft is impressive but it’s his relationship with Reeltime, spanning almost 20 years and his dedication to the cause (particularly in the early years) that is truly inspirational.  Throughout his time at university, Martin became Chairperson of Reeltime’s Management Committee and with the group’s determination, the formation of new partnerships with other organisations and endless funding applications resulted in Reeltime finally being able to build a recording studio in 2003- coincidently the same year Martin graduated from university. Enthused by their achievements thus far, Martin made the bold decision to continue working at the charity unpaid for a further year, helping to steer them towards further growth and success. Martin, Ryan and joining staff over the years have developed a strong bond and have equally invested their time, energy and life’s work to making Reeltime a place for young people to be creative and become more confident in their abilities, providing endless opportunities to try new things, discover hidden talents and form relationships with like-minded people. Closely collaborating with the local council, as well as organisations such as Creative Scotland and The Princes Trust, tailor-made projects are created to suit the needs of the participants to ensure they are providing a service that does more than just tick the boxes- Reeltime’s work touches lives, makes a difference and gives young people a chance.  “My job has completely changed over the years and will change again. Now it’s more about working with young people to get them engaging and building on their skills and organising projects.....every day is different and I love that!”. Speaking with Martin it’s evident that his love affair with Reeltime has never wavered. He is immensely proud (quite rightly so!) of what the ever-growing team has achieved and he clearly gets that same kick out of the job that started out as hobby aged 16.  “It’s really unique. Other organisations now come to us to model their forms of practise on how we do things at Reeltime! I’m so proud of our reputation and what we’ve been able to do.”   

As with any demanding career, it’s often difficult to make time or muster the energy in your precious downtime for hobbies or interests and Martin admits that up until recently he’d been finding less and less time to practise his instrument. All that changed when he received a phone call from an old school friend 2 years year ago looking for a guitarist for his Thin Lizzy tribute band, Still Lizzy. “It was the kick up the backside that I needed. I hadn’t played in bands for about 5 or 6 years and although it was such a busy period in my life I was determined to do it….and learned 17 Thin Lizzy songs in the space of 3 weeks!”. The band have enjoyed great success playing gigs up and down the country and getting the opportunity to perform and work with fellow musicians is something which Martin considers a real source of inspiration. Mentoring, tutoring, planning, facilitating, recording and delivering are momentarily laid carefully to one side as he is given the chance to step on stage and relive his earlier years of being a musician and it only being about the music.  He recognises the benefits of taking time out to do something he enjoys and to be creative. “It’s about trying to keep a balance! It’s difficult but you almost need to force yourself to take that time to do something for you creatively!”

In addition to playing guitar, his love of song writing from a young age had also fell by the way side over the years and pinpoints joining the Still Lizzy as the catalyst to him releasing his recently completed EP Background Noise Dusting off melodies and lyrics he’d written in his teens and early 20s, Martin decided this summer was the time to finally record and produce the music he’d planned to for several years but never quite found the time to make it happen. Past failed attempts to get other musicians on board, he made the decision to go solo, writing every part, playing every instrument and recording his 6 chosen tracks at his home studio. “The music I write isn’t the kind of music I listen to which I find quite strange! It’s more like the music I listened to when I was about 16. However my playing style has changed. When I was younger it was all about long, intricate guitar riffs…..now it’s more about a nice melody and meaningful lyrics”. What Martin aims to instil in the young people he works with day in day out is the importance of play and being creative- something which he’d forgotten to allow himself to do. “The Picasso quote ‘Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up’ is so true. Everyone wants to play, whether you’re 3 or 63! I just had to get it done, get it out there and let people listen to it!”.

Martin is a grafter and will be ungrudgingly generous with his time, energy and expertises to assist others in their creative journey. He adores music and values the power it has to literally change and shape lives.  As a Creative, however difficult it can sometime be, he continues to dedicate time to his instrument and maintains an element of play to keep those all-important juices flowing. He loves what he does and he does what he loves! Now, if that’s not inspiring, I don’t know what is! 

What’s on you iPod right now?

“Recently I’ve been listening to Spotify’s ‘Discover Weekly’ playlist when I do the dishes. That’s where I discovered Zervas and Pepper- their sound is reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac”

Favourite Scottish word/phrase?

“Aye man! I say it all the time!”

What would you like to overhear someone say about you?

“He’s a good guy!”

Biggest pet peeve

“Untidiness”

Who is Braw or Brave?

“My idol Bruce Lee-it’s amazing what he was able to achieve in his short life. What he had to overcome in his life to achieve what he did is just unreal”

Favourite Smell?

“Playdo-I have a tub on my bedside cabinet. When I smell it takes me back to my childhood, in my aunt’s house aged 7 playing with my cousins. It has to be real Playdo though-not the fake stuff!”

I’m happiest when…..

“Chillin’….or when I’m playing!”

What advice would you give your teenage self?

“Push yourself more. I used to be a shy person and although I was confident in a practical sense I found it hard to speak up and give my opinion on things!”

Check out Martin’s EP Background Noise:

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/background-noise-ep/id1153272629

Check out Still Lizzy :

https://www.facebook.com/Still-Lizzy-1458591184453717/

The Braw and The Brave Meet....Ryan Moir

Photo by Scott Cadenhead

Meet Ryan Moir, a Musical Director, Composer and Performer from Largs. Coming from a very musical family, it’s no wonder he has fashioned himself an extremely successful career in directing musicals, youth theatre productions and pantos, as well as producing, composing and performing with his very own children’s theatre show, The McDougalls. From day dot Ryan was pinning up bed sheets as backdrops and charging his parents 50p to come see his shows. His love of music began at a young age and Ryan fondly recalls many a Hogmanay party at his Granny McDougall's house where everyone had a chanter, accordion or mouth-organ in hand or ‘took a turn’  belting out an old Scottish tune. He was destined to play an instrument but he explains, he didn't quite follow the family tradition,

“Every male, for generations, on my Dad’s side of the family have all played the bagpipes….I remember my Granda sitting me down when I was about 11, trying to get me to do scales but I wasn't really that interested”. His love of music saw him producing umpteen shows in his bedroom and back garden, his siblings and cousins in tow, with their parents being coerced into forming an audience on the sofa bed or garden bench. “There’s many a home video where I'm taking a strop because they aren't taking it seriously enough. This one time it started to rain halfway through our magic show and I was absolutely raging that they were all getting agitated, telling us to ‘hurry up!’”

Ryan admits studying an instrument or learning to read music wasn't something he was that keen to pursue but he had such a thirst for music, he’d return home from youth theatre rehearsals, only then to sit in front of his Casio keyboard for hours figuring out how to play the songs he’d been taught to sing, as well as recording tunes he’d composed on his cassette player.  Eventually going on to study Music and Theatre Studies at Glasgow University, Ryan continued performing and creating work outside of his course. “If I think back, from the age of 17, I was probably trying to build up a career for myself”. Never wanting to be pigeon-holed, Ryan actively sought out opportunities to work with different people and organisations, tapping into other aspects of the theatre other than music. His ‘variety is the spice of life’ energy saw him start to work as a freelance artist after graduating as the next natural step for him to take, seemingly unfazed by the uncertainty of going solo. “I think I’d find it quite odd now to go work for someone else. I like the freedom…creating your own destiny!” 

The McDougalls. Photo by Laura Robbie 

Two years ago Ryan formed The McDougalls, the family friendly, interactive musical touring company who have enjoyed huge success from the outset. “Originally it started as a one-off show we created as part of the children’s’ summer programme at Irvine Harbour Arts. Instead of putting on your usual workshops I came up with the idea of making a show aimed at preschoolers”. Ryan explains that although he is Artistic Director, it is very much a collaborative effort from all involved. Home town friends of his, Ruaridh Forde and Colleen Garrett, join Ryan and his sister Angie Moir on stage as up to 10 different characters in the McDougall Clan and behind the scenes they all have an input in to the creation of each production. “Everyone has a voice and a responsibility. Everybody wants it to do well”. From Ryan’s point of view there’s a reassurance of working so closely on something he’s so passionate about with people he knows well and trusts. Ruraidh and Ryan attended the local youth theatre together and after years of putting on shows together at home, Angie was bound to end up alongside her brother on stage. The emphasis is on fun and making things magical as the McDougalls take children and adults alike on various exciting adventures with Max, Mollie, Maisie and Auntie Aggie. Plenty of madness, mayhem and sing-along moments ensue and their sell-out performances in theatres, schools and arts centres across Scotland prove how entertaining and engaging their shows are. The company’s creative process is one which everyone is invested in “After pinpointing the big moments and a loose structure, as the musical element is so strong, we tend to figure the songs out first and then write the dialogue to link them all”. Although they set aside time to brainstorm and work collaboratively on each project he admits, “it’s a bit of a messy process…I don’t think there’s a linear process to anything. We know when the deadline is and we've just got to get it all done”. Although essentially a children’s show, entertaining every single audience member and providing a family experience is at the heart of what the company aim to do, ”Music is a great way to span the generations…it’s got to be of a standard so that the adults can appreciate and engage with it too”.

In establishing your brand comes the conflict of taking every opportunity offered and the possibility of compromising your artistic integrity in doing so. Ryan wants what they have created thus far to continue to go from strength to strength and has a clear vision of how that can happen without jumping through unnecessary hoops, altering their act for that chance of that one-off gig. “There’s no harm in being picky about what you take on if it means you’re protecting your brand. Making decisions not to do certain things, from a financial point of view, in order to stick to what you’re ultimately aiming to be is something you become savvy to over time”.

With the expanding success of a company comes the need but uncertainty of inviting other creatives or specialists to help raise ‘your baby’ and help bring the vision to life. “Initially when you’re starting something you’re frightened of involving other people….but now we’re working with students and graduates and we’re getting work that is good quality, affordable and giving them the experience and a good opportunity”. Ryan’s ability to be so hands on with every aspect of the company and the shows they produce is the key to their continued success and although he claims “I’m not particularly phenomenal at anything but I like to have an interest in various different things” arguably this is what makes it all work. His passion, determination and the sheer enjoyment he gets from creating something he feels is his is the driving force behind it all. Supported by his fellow performers and collaborators, Ryan is someone who is keen to support others in gaining experience wherever possible. Having been a youngster grabbing every opportunity presented to him he recognises the importance of opening the doors to fellow young creators. “We recently realised that everyone working on The McDougalls, from the cast, to lighting and sound are all under the age of 26”. Ryan is not one to rest on his laurels, he acknowledges that certain pitfalls of putting your work out in the world are inevitable but what motivates him is the responsibility he feels to keep to going even when things are challenging “If I don’t just go for it I know I’ll let down other people. When you've put so much work in to step one, it would be daft to just give up on it”

As if all that wasn’t enough to contend with, Ryan also runs Largs Youth Theatre, with 150 children between the ages of 3 and 18 attending classes every week. As well as acting, singing and dance tuition, the chance to delve into other mediums such as film making is also offered to aspiring creatives. Ryan over the past 3 years has also taken on the role of Musical Supervisor for some of Coventry based theatre company Imagine Theatre's productions, creating all the tracks, writing band parts and sourcing musicians for their annual pantos in various UK venues. It’s evident that he is hungry to work and engage with others and his talent, professionalism and work ethic serve him well. For someone so busy, spinning plates effortlessly left, right and centre, is there even time to reflect or allow self-doubt to creep in? “I’m always anxious about starting something new. Even when you know it’s going to be fine, you tend to lean towards that Scottish pessimism of expecting the worst but it doesn't hold me back….then in the end you’re often pleasantly surprised!”. Ryan is confident in his work and isn’t fazed by trying new things or asking for what he needs. That ‘if you don’t ask you don’t get’ attitude aligned with his positive outlook and friendly demeanour allows him to achieve his gaols and press on.  

 I had the pleasure of working with Ryan for the first time this summer on ATG’s Theatre Royal, Glasgow’s Stage Experience 2016 production of The Wizard of Oz and immediately warmed to his super friendly, laid back approach. I felt welcomed and supported by Ryan from the outset, as someone new to the organisation (Ryan also delivers weekly classes at the theatre) and thoroughly enjoyed a crazy-busy two weeks piecing together a full-scale production (starring 75 children and a real live Toto!) with him and the team. Ryan is a grafter in the truest sense of the word but he’s unassuming and appears to take everything in his stride. Going above and beyond the call of duty to produce the best work possible is an intrinsic to what he is all about but when you’re motivated by such love for what you do Ryan explains “you just kinda get on with it” 

What are you listening to?

“At the moment it’s all children’s songs…one’s from all over the world as I’m prepping for the McDougall’s Christmas Show ‘Chaos at Christmas’”

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

“Time! Everything is so fast paced-I’d like longer to think about things, reflect and plan.

Also time to be able to switch off”

Favourite word?

“Yes! I like yes people!”

Last film you watched?

I recently saw the new BFG film and really enjoyed it!

Biggest pet peeve?

“Waiting on people! Oh and people sauntering….I'm not a saunterer!”

Best song lyrics?

“’Let it Be”-I've always been a big Beatles fan.

Life motto/mantra?

“Just get on with it!”

Favourite musical?

From a sentimental point of view I would have to say,’Oliver’.  I played the part of Oliver when I was wee and it takes me back to that time whenever I hear the music from it”

Favourite place in the world?

“I like Scotland. Driving about in my car, I like looking at all the hills and the nice scenery….all my best ideas come whilst I'm driving around in my car!”

If you could do one thing to help the world, what would you do?

“Get them all singing! It’s the power in that 1 or 2 minutes of singing a song where people can forget all their worries. I'm not saying it’ll solve the world's problems but it can for that 2 minutes”



Be sure to get your tickets for The McDougall's fun-filled, magical festive production, 'Chaos at Christmas'.

On from 15th December at Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine 

C.R.E.A.T.E

Every Creative's process differs from the next. Carving out 'your way' comes with experience and with each creative encounter new techniques are formed, as you discover your potential & the many innovative ways you have up your sleeve for creating your work! There's no 'right' way of doing things and accepting that is a huge step in becoming the truest version of your creative self. Here are some tips that I find particularly useful when creating: 

Connecting with the world around you is vital to sparking those light-bulb moments when you need them most. Using all the senses to experience what life is offering you minute by minute, day by day will continually charge those creative batteries, without you even realising it. Being aware of what's available to you and what you can potentially tap in to is a gift from the universe ready for the taking! Go to a city and walk slowly down a busy street, observing and absorbing everything. The voices, snippets of conversations and languages you can hear; look high and low at the signs, window displays and architecture you can see; breathe in the scents and try to identify their source; take your hands to the varying textures and feel the rough, the smooth and everything in between. Sounds a tad creepy perhaps but slowing down to appreciate and take stock of your surroundings can enlighten the mind. If you get one tiny speck of inspiration, it's worth your time. We can't expect our poor creative brains to churn out masterpiece after masterpiece without refuelling it, now can we?! As Creatives we are preoccupied with constantly making something new to offer up to the world but you must remember that, in order to knit the jumper, you need the ball of wool. If you're switched on to your surroundings, you're speaking less & listening more, you'll be more likely to hear what you need to! 

Recycling is good for the environment- your creative environment, that is! Never be afraid to reuse what you have previously tried, tested and bought the T shirt of. If an idea has worked for you in the past and seems a perfect fit for your current project, it shouldn't be deemed a cop-out to slip in to that 'one size fits all' concept one more time. After all, you may be sporting the same T shirt but you can customise & accessorize to remodel any previously worn look, producing something very different from the original. We all endeavour to create unique pieces of work that have been born out of brand spanking new sources of inspiration each and every time  but if that's forced, you could be missing out on a golden opportunity to up-cycle. Sometimes it's okay to go with a 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it' vibe, if what you plan to do with it this time round is subject to  some tweaking. 

Experimenting is about taking risks, going with your gut and making mistakes that you can learn from. In the creative process a  'Try before you Buy' approach will ensure you get exactly what you are looking for eventually but, like with any new journey, you have to be willing to explore and potentially get lost before locating your desired destination.  An idea is one thing but in order to know if it's the missing jigsaw piece you've been searching for, you have to pick it up, play around with it and try to make it fit before you can know for sure it's the perfect match. Fear of failure threatens to stop awesome ideas in their tracks before they've even made it off the starting block. When an experiment goes spectacularly wrong, there's something to be learned from it, so you have to be up for trying it out. Where they say baking is an exact science, creativity is more like cooking- a pinch of this and a dollop of that won't always work out the way you expected but you're more likely to be able to cover up any mishaps with more spoonfuls of creativity. Who knows what you'll end up with and that's where the fun is! The power of the unknown is exciting & inspiring, so be more open to experimenting! 

Aim high! Pushing yourself and your work to be the best it can be takes hard work and determination but the rewards are worth the effort. It's okay to strive for what you deem 'perfection', as long as you enjoy the journey- there's no point in creating something beautiful if the process was damn  ugly, as it will be the latter you'll remember most. All your connecting, recycling and experimenting will help shape the ultimate goal you're striving for and then all that's left to do is more of the same to get it just right. The sky is the limit when being creative-so don't seek shelter when you have the chance to dance in the rain! 

Take time to create. Those light-bulb moments can be fairly sporadic so best not to expect to be able to turn your creativity on and off like a switch. Breaking the task in hand in to manageable chunks will avoid you feeling overwhelmed with the need to create something amazing on a deadline. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will all your masterpieces. When I'm choreographing a dance, I find myself working on it to a certain point but then having to step away from it for a while to take stock of what I've produced thus far, before being able to move forward with it. That's it to say I'm not lastminute.com with projects (I'm often found procrastinating over a To Do list until it's absolutely necessary to start creating!) but I know the process is more pleasurable when I can work at a leisurely pace & take pauses intermittently to mull over things.

Evaluating your work as you go will inevitably help create something you are happy with overall. Yes, there's always hindsight to flag up the 'what I shoulda/coulda/woulda done'  but if you're able to continually critique and question your creative choices as you're making them, the final product is more likely to meet or even excel your expectations. 

And there you have it, 6 pointers that may help you create more efficiently and effectively. I'd be interested to hear from you as to what your hints and tips are!

Lisa 

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