Learning & teaching
Once upon a time, I studied theatre and film at the University of Glasgow.
A few years later, as a Teaching Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, I taught playwriting to post-graduate students.
Sometimes, I coach musicians to play parts for specific projects. Other times, I guide singers through the process of practicing new songs.
I find a lot of pleasure in learning new things and am currently trying to gain more skills in graphic design, typography and printmaking.
Writing
I first learned playwriting at uni, which lead me to join the Traverse Young Writers group and start writing plays of my own.
Writing is thinking. Often, I don’t know how I really feel about something until I’ve set pen to paper.
Turning ideas into fiction, or even non-fiction, is a journey that involves a lot of investigation and reflection.
I write words for people to speak aloud because that requires the performers to go on a journey too, hopefully making lots of interesting discoveries along the way.
Currently, I am an Associate Playwright with the Playwrights' Studio, Scotland.
Making music
My first instrument is guitar, second is piano, but I like to try my hand at making sounds with various other things.
As a music producer, I often create my own sample instruments and incorporate field recordings into my compositions.
I love arranging songs, plus recording and shaping live performances. Right now, I’m obsessed with close harmony singing.
Dancing
Dancing is a big part of my life.
Not just working alongside dancers and choreographers, or physical-theatre makers, but social dancing too.
I’m don't go out clubbing much these days, but I do still dance tango and enjoy being a beginner at other partner dances.
When I can, I go along to contemporary classes, and can't resist a good ceilidh!
I guess moving our bodies is a kind of embodied thinking. A way of placing ourselves within our environment and communicating without words.
