OUR 2020 SPEAKERS & CONTRIBUTORS
More information coming soon…
2018 SPEAKERS & CONTRIBUTORS
WELLBEING FOR THE ARTS – ‘WELLBEING FOR THE ARTS’ (SESSION 1), ‘WELLBEING FOR DIRECTORS’ (SESSION 2) & PANEL MEMBERS FOR ‘MENTAL HEALTH IN THE ARTS’ PANEL DISCUSSION (SESSION 3)
Wellbeing for the Arts is an initiative created especially for the Arts Industry to provide an escape from the fast-paced & often stressful industry we work in. We welcome anyone within the performing & creative industries looking to dedicate an hour to relax, connect & boost their overall wellbeing. Whether you’re on stage, backstage or working in film/television these sessions have been designed to promote relaxation, provide tools to assist with stress management & align the mind & body. ‘Wellbeing for the Arts’ is absolutely free and aimed at creating a supportive, safe & uplifting space for like-minded people right in the heart of London’s West End. You can find us at The Dominion Theatre every other Wednesday from 11AM – 12PM. We are thrilled to be working with UNBROKEN this year to give you a taster of what we offer.
STAGE DIRECTORS UK – ‘WELLBEING FOR DIRECTORS’ (SESSION 2) & PANEL MEMBERS FOR ‘MENTAL HEALTH IN THE ARTS’ PANEL DISCUSSION (SESSION 3)
Stage Directors UK is the professional trade organisation for stage directors across the UK. We represent the interests of stage directors, championing their role, advocating their interests and campaigning for better rights and working conditions. As a membership organisation we offer support, training and professional development. We provide a sense of community and a unifying network for our members. We believe in moving the directing culture towards a greater spirit of collaboration and mutual support. Stage Directors UK – by directors, with directors and for directors.
RICHMOND BOROUGH MIND – ‘BOUNCE’ WORKSHOP (SESSION 7), ‘MINDKIT’ WORKSHOP (SESSION 9) & ‘THE HEALING POWER OF WRITING’ (SESSION 11)
Richmond Borough Mind is rooted in the local community & exists to meet local mental health needs. Through our various projects, staff & volunteers, we provide high quality, individually tailored services so people can live full lives & be connected to other people in their communities. We work with others – from small local community groups to the Mental Health Trust – to minimise the impact of mental health problems & in partnership we aim to improve people’s experience of mental health services. In collaboration with local & national organisations, we raise awareness of the importance of mental health & recovery & tackle the discrimination faced by people who experience mental health problems.
BARNES FILM FESTIVAL – UNBROKEN SHORT FILM PRIZE (SESSION 5)
Barnes Film Festival celebrates diversity, passion and creativity, and connects young filmmakers – and anybody interested in film – with industry professionals. This year, BFF is excited to announce their 2018 film competition. Filmmakers of all ages are invited to participate. As well as their film making competition, the 2018 BFF will host inspiring film events for all, including workshops, discussions, screenings and gatherings, with leading figures from the film, documentary and animation industries. We are delighted that the BFF has offered free entry into their 2018 competition to all of our Shortlisted filmmakers & that their Festival Director Sam Cullis will be serving as an UNBROKEN judge this year (see below)!
SAM CULLIS – UNBROKEN SHORT FILM PRIZE (SESSION 5)
Sam has been making films since he first picked up his parents’ video camera as a child. His love of film continued into adulthood; studying Film and Media at University in Wales and later in America. Sam has been teaching Film and Media Studies for over thirteen years, and has been Head of Media at the Harrodian School for over eight. He continues to make his own films, producing educational shorts as well as short films. He is Director of the UK wide Barnes Film Festival now entering its third year and we are delighted that he will be serving as one of this year’s judges for the UNBROKEN Short film prize.
CLAIRE BUENO – UNBROKEN SHORT FILM PRIZE (SESSION 5)
Claire Bueno is an experienced Presenter and Interviewer having hosted BAFTA Academy Circle events, moderated Q&As at the Apple Store, Regent Street and hosted Comic Con panel talks to audiences of 300 people. She has interviewed high calibre artistes such as Tom Cruise, George Clooney, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sigourney Weaver, James Cameron and Andy Serkis and we are thrilled that she will not only be conducting the Q&As with our filmmakers at the UNBROKEN Short Film Prize on Friday 31st August but will also serve as one of this year’s judges!
SYCORAX COLLECTIVE – CREATIVE MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN (SESSION 6) & CREATIVE MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS (SESSION 8)
Sycorax Collective are a brand-new theatre company dedicated to creating imaginative and compelling work, unafraid to delve into the grotesque and taboo to tell enthralling stories and explore social issues. The Sycorax Collective is comprised of actress, poet, model, clown & director Holli Dillon, and actress, puppeteer & writer Kim Scopes. Their debut production is BLUE, an abstract fairy tale for adults which explores experiences with mental health and it was during the research of this piece that they developed and ran their hugely successful creative workshops on mental health for the local community in Slough. For further information about Holli and Kim, please see the ABOUT US page on their website.
www.sycoraxcollective.weebly.com
DEBORAH FREEMAN – CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP (SESSION 13)
DR AMIT SHARMA – ‘SEPPUKU: THE STRUGGLE’ – A MULTI-MEDIA ART INSTALLATION (SESSION 12)
Dr Amit Sharma currently works as a Speciality doctor in Psychiatry with a Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team in Essex. He graduated as a doctor in 2007 from University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Timisoara, Romania. He has worked in various surgical and medical rotations as a junior doctor and has been working as a Psychiatrist in NHS for more than 6 years. Born and brought up in India, he always had a keen interest in art and poetry as a child and was an active participant in poetry recitation competitions in school and used to make various science models and school artworks. Seppuku – The Struggle is his first attempt at combining those interests with an effort to cultivate awareness and reduce stigma around the perception of mental health. He hopes to continue his work in similar form to highlight some important social issues and has already started work on his next project.
2017 SPEAKERS & CONTRIBUTORS
CHARLIE SHEPPARD – ‘MENTAL HEALTH IN CURRENT CHILDREN’S LITERATURE’ (SESSION 1) & PANEL MEMBER FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE’S DISCUSSION PANEL (SESSION 3)
Charlie Sheppard studied English and Drama at Bristol University and went on to complete a MA in English at Cardiff University. She began her publishing career at Reed Books in 1995 (now Egmont) before moving to Random House Children’s Books, where she published the likes of Markus Zusak, Joseph Delaney, Mark Haddon and Matt Haig amongst others. She now works at Independent publishing house Andersen Press – where she is the Publishing Director and her books have won the Costa Children’s Book Award, the Guardian Fiction Prize and the UKLA award. She has three children and is passionate about the reading habits and mental health of young people.
ALI TAYLOR – AUTHOR OF ‘UNDER MY SKIN’ (SESSIONS 2 & 4) AND PANEL MEMBER FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE’S DISCUSSION PANEL (SESSION 3) & MENTAL HEALTH & THE ARTS PANEL (SESSION 6)
Ali is a playwright, screenwriter and teacher. His plays include: Goth Weekend (Stephen Joseph Theatre, Live Theatre), Cathy (Cardboard Citizens, UK tour), Conspiracy (RWCMD, Gate Theatre), Under My Skin (Pegasus Theatre, tour), Fault Lines (Hampstead Theatre), Sticks & Stones (Polka Theatre), A Little Neck (Goat & Monkey), Cotton Wool (Theatre503, Berliner Festspiele) for which he won the 18th Meyer-Whitworth Award, Overspill (Soho Theatre) and The Machine Gunners (Polka Theatre) which was shortlisted for the Brian Way Award.
Radio plays include Eight Feet High And Rising and Cinders for Radio 4’s Afternoon Play.
KATE MEADOWCROFT, INTEGRATIVE ARTS PSYCHOTHERAPIST MA (HCPC, UKCP)
Kate is a trained Art Therapist and artist, experienced in working on themes of managing mental wellbeing and trauma with both individuals and groups. As her work continually demonstrates, she is a deep believer in the profound role that artistic expression can play in empowering the individual and bringing about release from ‘stuckness’ and trauma. She has previously facilitated art therapy groups and workshops in partnership with voluntary organisations such as Centre for Better Health and Crisis UK.
PEGASUS THEATRE – ‘UNDER MY SKIN’ (SESSIONS 2 & 4)
Pegasus has sparked creativity and imagination in young people from all backgrounds for over 50 years. Young people are at the heart of everything we do and we offer a vibrant space for them to come together to create and experience great art, learn new skills and exchange ideas. We are an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) and receive annual funding from Oxford City Council to support our participatory work with young people.
Under My Skin – Addressing the Issue: This successful touring play by Ali Taylor has been commissioned by Oxford County Council’s Public Health Team and addresses the growing nationwide issue of self-harm in adolescents. This professional production explores the complex emotions, stress and mental health issues around self-harm, exposing the stigma that surrounds it whilst providing information and pathways to available support networks; for example the School Health Nursing service, counsellors and other local services that can help young people deal with this issue.
To find out more about Under My Skin please contact Nadia Rich, Programmes Coordinator: nadia.rich@pegasustheatre.org.uk
MANDY LEE BERGER – FESTIVAL EXHIBITION ARTIST
Mandy is an actress, writer, spoken word poet and artist. She has written many pieces about her battle with depression and anxiety, including last year’s Dear Depression, and also used art to help communicate her experiences with the illness. She is delighted to once again be part of UNBROKEN and to share her experiences with you.
JOSH GORDON – FESTIVAL MUSICIAN
After working with UNBROKEN last year, Josh is excited and keen to support the festival’s expansion in 2018. A training actor and a freelance musical director, composer, performer and sometime vocal & instrumental coach, Josh has worked with many top – & up & coming writers, performers, & companies to produce innovative & collaborative art. He firmly believes that art is often at the centre of positive change, which is one of the many reasons he supports UNBROKEN and its message so firmly and fondly.