Participatory Drama Artist/Facilitator/Theatre Maker/Performer
Photo credit: The Listening Tree, eco Drama, 2021
ABOUT ME
I am a Scottish Theatre Maker, Participatory Drama Artist/Facilitator, Storyteller and Performer specialising in working with Children and Young People, Families, and Community Members of all ages. I use a combination of theatre, music, arts and crafts and collaborative practice in my work, which often has a focus on improving mental and emotional wellbeing, and opening up opportunities to all. I am particularly experienced in outdoor delivery, in using art within educational settings, and in working collaboratively with participants to create original performance works.
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I trained in Musical Theatre at New College Lanarkshire, graduating with a First Class Honours Degree.
I then trained in facilitation as a Creative Learning Intern at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh. My internship gave me the opportunity to explore collaborative Theatre Making and Directing which has become a true passion for me.
In 2021 I completed an MA in Applied Arts and Social Practice at Queen Margaret University, graduating with distinction. My practice-based dissertation project focused on exploring the role of adults as co-facilitators in artist led workshops for early years children.
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More recently my work with Eco Drama (2021 - 2024) has allowed me to explore traditional and interactive Storytelling practice as a tool for sharing ideas and inspiring learners. I have really been enjoying this opportunity to explore and develop as a storyteller, in a way which allows me to combine my practice as a performer with my practice as a participatory artist, and to draw upon my interests in traditional arts, our relationship with the natural world and anthropology. In 2024, I created a resource pack for educators and families titled Nature Stories for Children, which aims to make nature-based storytelling more accessible for all.
Learn more about the resource pack by watching the film here.
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PHoto Credit: Eoin Carey, Eco Drama
Current/Recent Projects
I have been working since July 2024 as a Creative Learning Worker with Paisley Museum, working in partnership with community organisations to co-produce the museum's public programme. My work has focused on developing Dementia Friendly services and resources, and developing the museum's volunteering strategy. Alongside this I have worked with Community Learning and Development groups, delivering creative sessions and co-producing cultural events.
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I am looking forward to returning to working with the Lyceum Youth Theatre in the Autumn term 2025.
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I have recently completed a project with Creative Spark Theatre Arts, working collaboratively with a group of young carers to create, script and shoot a short film.
I currently have space in my diary for new projects, so please get in touch via the contact form below if you have a project you would like to discuss with me.
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Photo Credit: Andy Caitlin. Rehearsal Image from Summer on stage at the Royal Lyceum Theatre company 2022
"Saffron Gillies' Cinders is destined for greatness. Her self-assured principal girl is as much a comic as doe-eyed prince eye candy, complete with a belting voice." - Braw Theatre review, Cinderella, Aberdeen Arts Centre 2022.
As Cinderella in Talegate Theatre's Cinderella at Aberdeen Arts Centre, 2022. Photo Credits: Ciro Art Studio, Talegate Theatre Productions,Aberdeen Arts Centre
Photo Credits: Rehearsal and Performance Images from "The Legend of the Haggis," PACE Fest! 2021
My CV
Participation
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Creative Learning Worker - Paisley Museum July 2024 - July 2025
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Community Arts Tutor (working with Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs) - Creative Spark Theatre Arts Spring 2024, and Spring 2025
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Creative Engagement Artist/Drama Artist - Eco Drama August 2021 - July 2024 (became Creative Engagement Artist in May 2023)
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Tutor - Creative Spark Theatre Arts, August - December 2023
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Outdoor Drama Facilitator - What Happens Now? Ltd. February 2021 - August 2023, including outdoor summer schools July 2021, and July 2023
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Workshop Tutor - Creative Spark Theatre Arts, Drama workshops for Save the Children and Aberlour's event Imagining a Future Without Child Poverty July 2023
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Drama Artist - The World Through My Eyes, Aberdeen Performing Arts, as part of Light the Blue 2023, in collaboration with Visual Artist Jenny Hood and pupils at Orchard Brae School, Aberdeen May - June 2023
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Artist, (drama specialism) Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity April 2019 - ongoing
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Early Years Musical Cafe Facilitator - Beacon Arts Centre, as part of Summer of Fun Programme June -August 2021
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Artist/Researcher - Let's Create Together, self devised and led dissertation project, consisting of workshops for early years children and their adults, with a focus on adult co-facilitation and shared experience of adult and child. Supported by and delivered at Beacon Arts Centre. June 2021
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60+ Acting Course Assistant then Leader - The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company January 2021 - June 2021 (Assisted Jan-March, Led March - June)
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Workshop Facilitator - Pantomime workshop for Barnardos Greenock Thrive Groups, Beacon Arts Centre December 2020
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Drama Worker - PACE Theatre Company September 2020 - August 2021
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Online Youth Theatre Class Leader - Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company September to October 2020
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Online Workshop Facilitator - Scottish Musical Theatre for Early Years for A Change of Pace, PACE Theatre Company July 2020
Workshop Leader - Musical Theatre and Acting Through Song for Young Actors, Lyceum Youth Theatre, Junior Classes. Royal Lyceum Theatre Company February 2020
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Workshop Leader - Exploring Evan Placey's Girls Like That for National 5 group, North Lanarkshire school on behalf of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company. February 2020
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Workshop Leader - An Edinburgh Christmas Carol, workshop for Women's Aid. Royal Lyceum Theatre Company December 2019
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Cover Youth Theatre Support Leader - Beacon Youth, Beacon Arts Centre Various dates October - December 2019
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Youth Theatre Class Leader - Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company September 2019 - March 2020
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Young People's Masterclass Leader - Scottish Musical Theatre. Horsecross, Perth September 2019
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Workshop Leader - Solaris: Stage to Screen. Royal Lyceum Theatre Company September 2019
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Drama Artist - Aspire Dundee, Dundee City Council August 2019 - June 2020
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Workshop Leader - Absurdist Theatre and Set and Costume Design. Royal Lyceum Theatre Company August 2019
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Drama Facilitator - National Play Day Event, Capall Dorcha Ensemble August 2019
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Choreographer - "Greatest Show" Summer School, Capall Dorcha Ensemble July 2019
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Creative Learning Intern, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company August 2018 to June 2019
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Schools Workshop Facilitator, One Day Creative June 2018 to December 2019
Directing/Making
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Director - Pathways, (short film) created collaboratively with a group of young people, Creative Spark Theatre Arts May 2025
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Director - I spy (devised), Lyceum Youth Theatre Summer on Stage 2024, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company
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Assistant Director - Are You a Robot? by Time Crouch, What Happens Now? Ltd, as part of Wonderfool's Positive Stories for Negative Times festival July 2023
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Director - Wild and Free (devised), Lyceum Youth Theatre Summer on Stage 2022, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company July 2022
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Director - Alice in Wonderland, PACE Youth Theatre, as part of FEST! August 2021
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Director - The Legend of the Haggis (original, devised), PACE Youth Theatre, as part of FEST! July 2021
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Assistant Director - Seuss Stories, PACE Youth Theatre, as part of FEST! July 2021
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Director - Play in Two Days inspired by Fantastic Mr Fox, Beacon Youth, Beacon Arts Centre, as part of Summer of Fun Programme June 2021
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Musical Director - Heavy Weather by Lizzie Nunnery. Digital Performance, Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company April 2021
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Creative Collaborator - Radio Drama Recordings Inspired by Sherlock Holmes and War of the Worlds, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, 60+ Acting Classes, March 2021
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Director - A Case for Happiness, (Devised) "Curtain Raiser" performance, Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company TBC due to Covid-19
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Assistant Director - Opinionated, (Devised), "Curtain Raiser" performance, Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company March 2020
Director - performances by LYT Play and Mini youth theatre members for The Lyceum's "Family Arts Day" event 2019. Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, October 2019
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Assistant Director - Teechers by John Godber. Lyceum Youth Theatre Summer on Stage 2019, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company July 2019
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Director - Capsized (Devised), Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company June 2019
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Director - How to Build a Perfect Den (Devised), Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company June 2019
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Assistant Director - Cake (Devised), Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company June 2019
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Director - The Night We Met (Devised) "Curtain Raiser" performance, Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company February 2019
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Assistant Director - New Edina by Jenny Lindsay as part of The View from 2038, Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company November 2018
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Assistant Director - New Words by Rosanna Hall as part of The View from 2038, Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company November 2018
Performance/Digital
Presenter - Out to Play for Early Years CPD Training Films, Eco Drama/Urban Croft April 2024
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Cinderella - Cinderella, Talegate Theatre Productions, Panto in the Park (touring) August 2023
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Cinderella - Cinderella, Talegate Theatre Productions at Aberdeen Arts Centre November - December 2022
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Voice - Space Academy, Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity (further recordings) September 2022
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Storyteller - Harvest Stories, Eco Drama for Dandelion Festival Events in Wick, Thurso and Inverness August 2022
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Princess Aurora - Sleeping Beauty, Talegate Theatre Productions at Aberdeen Arts Centre, November - December 2021
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Sithy - The Listening Tree, Eco Drama June 2021
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Digital Storyteller - Goldilocks and The Three Bears, Hansel and Gretel, The Ugly Duckling for Storytelling Sessions - Beacon Arts Centre February 2021
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Pre-recorded Craft Tutorials for A Change of Pace; Paper Hand Puppets, Articulated Dragon Puppets and Magic Wands, PACE Theatre Company July 2020
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Voice (Performer and Writer) - Space Academy, Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity May 2020
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Kirsty - The Journey, Baldy Bane Theatre Company January to May 2018
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Hope - Hope, The Takeaway Theatre Company October to December 2017
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Sam - Let's Talk About It, One Day Creative August to October 2017
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Sadhbh/Flora MacDonald/Faery Maiden - The Misty Island, Kapow Theatre Scotland July 2017
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Yonah - Children of Eden, NewClan Arts June 2017
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Avatar - Lift: A New Musical, NewClan Arts, December 2016
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Deb - Ordinary Days, New Clan Arts, December 2016
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Ensemble/Dancer - Aida, New Clan Arts, June 2016
Skills
As a participatory artist, theatre maker and director I enjoy working collaboratively and creating work which makes use of traditional stories and arts forms to explore our modern world. I see my practice as being rooted in working with others to create, develop and nurture ideas.
My skills include working with Children and Young People aged 2 to 21, alongside working with community groups and adults over 60. I have worked within a range of settings and with participants with diverse needs. My recent work has focused highly on collaborative devising practice, heritage engagement and outdoor arts delivery.
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I am experienced in working in educational settings, and in line with the Curriculum for Excellence. I have worked extensively with teachers, early years practitioners and support for learning workers in CPD contexts.
I am highly skilled in Musical Theatre performance, singing, acting and dance. I play piano and ukulele. Other skills include arts and crafts, mindfulness, digital working including audio and video editing, and research.
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I am a member of Disclosure Scotland's PVG Scheme. I hold a current First Aid at Work qualification.
Photo Credit: Ciro Art Studio, Talegate Theatre Productions, Aberdeen Arts Centre
