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.
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.
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.
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.
I am looking forward to returning to working with the Lyceum Youth Theatre in the Autumn term 2025.
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.
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
Creative Learning Worker - Paisley Museum July 2024 - July 2025
Community Arts Tutor (working with Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs) - Creative Spark Theatre Arts Spring 2024, and Spring 2025
Creative Engagement Artist/Drama Artist - Eco Drama August 2021 - July 2024 (became Creative Engagement Artist in May 2023)
Tutor - Creative Spark Theatre Arts, August - December 2023
Outdoor Drama Facilitator - What Happens Now? Ltd. February 2021 - August 2023, including outdoor summer schools July 2021, and July 2023
Workshop Tutor - Creative Spark Theatre Arts, Drama workshops for Save the Children and Aberlour's event Imagining a Future Without Child Poverty July 2023
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
Artist, (drama specialism) Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity April 2019 - ongoing
Early Years Musical Cafe Facilitator - Beacon Arts Centre, as part of Summer of Fun Programme June -August 2021
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
60+ Acting Course Assistant then Leader - The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company January 2021 - June 2021 (Assisted Jan-March, Led March - June)
Workshop Facilitator - Pantomime workshop for Barnardos Greenock Thrive Groups, Beacon Arts Centre December 2020
Drama Worker - PACE Theatre Company September 2020 - August 2021
Online Youth Theatre Class Leader - Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company September to October 2020
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
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
Workshop Leader - An Edinburgh Christmas Carol, workshop for Women's Aid. Royal Lyceum Theatre Company December 2019
Cover Youth Theatre Support Leader - Beacon Youth, Beacon Arts Centre Various dates October - December 2019
Youth Theatre Class Leader - Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company September 2019 - March 2020
Young People's Masterclass Leader - Scottish Musical Theatre. Horsecross, Perth September 2019
Workshop Leader - Solaris: Stage to Screen. Royal Lyceum Theatre Company September 2019
Drama Artist - Aspire Dundee, Dundee City Council August 2019 - June 2020
Workshop Leader - Absurdist Theatre and Set and Costume Design. Royal Lyceum Theatre Company August 2019
Drama Facilitator - National Play Day Event, Capall Dorcha Ensemble August 2019
Choreographer - "Greatest Show" Summer School, Capall Dorcha Ensemble July 2019
Creative Learning Intern, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company August 2018 to June 2019
Schools Workshop Facilitator, One Day Creative June 2018 to December 2019
Directing/Making
Director - Pathways, (short film) created collaboratively with a group of young people, Creative Spark Theatre Arts May 2025
Director - I spy (devised), Lyceum Youth Theatre Summer on Stage 2024, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company
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
Director - Wild and Free (devised), Lyceum Youth Theatre Summer on Stage 2022, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company July 2022
Director - Alice in Wonderland, PACE Youth Theatre, as part of FEST! August 2021
Director - The Legend of the Haggis (original, devised), PACE Youth Theatre, as part of FEST! July 2021
Assistant Director - Seuss Stories, PACE Youth Theatre, as part of FEST! July 2021
Director - Play in Two Days inspired by Fantastic Mr Fox, Beacon Youth, Beacon Arts Centre, as part of Summer of Fun Programme June 2021
Musical Director - Heavy Weather by Lizzie Nunnery. Digital Performance, Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company April 2021
Creative Collaborator - Radio Drama Recordings Inspired by Sherlock Holmes and War of the Worlds, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, 60+ Acting Classes, March 2021
Director - A Case for Happiness, (Devised) "Curtain Raiser" performance, Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company TBC due to Covid-19
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
Assistant Director - Teechers by John Godber. Lyceum Youth Theatre Summer on Stage 2019, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company July 2019
Director - Capsized (Devised), Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company June 2019
Director - How to Build a Perfect Den (Devised), Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company June 2019
Assistant Director - Cake (Devised), Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company June 2019
Director - The Night We Met (Devised) "Curtain Raiser" performance, Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company February 2019
Assistant Director - New Edina by Jenny Lindsay as part of The View from 2038, Lyceum Youth Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company November 2018
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
Cinderella - Cinderella, Talegate Theatre Productions, Panto in the Park (touring) August 2023
Cinderella - Cinderella, Talegate Theatre Productions at Aberdeen Arts Centre November - December 2022
Voice - Space Academy, Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity (further recordings) September 2022
Storyteller - Harvest Stories, Eco Drama for Dandelion Festival Events in Wick, Thurso and Inverness August 2022
Princess Aurora - Sleeping Beauty, Talegate Theatre Productions at Aberdeen Arts Centre, November - December 2021
Sithy - The Listening Tree, Eco Drama June 2021
Digital Storyteller - Goldilocks and The Three Bears, Hansel and Gretel, The Ugly Duckling for Storytelling Sessions - Beacon Arts Centre February 2021
Pre-recorded Craft Tutorials for A Change of Pace; Paper Hand Puppets, Articulated Dragon Puppets and Magic Wands, PACE Theatre Company July 2020
Voice (Performer and Writer) - Space Academy, Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity May 2020
Kirsty - The Journey, Baldy Bane Theatre Company January to May 2018
Hope - Hope, The Takeaway Theatre Company October to December 2017
Sam - Let's Talk About It, One Day Creative August to October 2017
Sadhbh/Flora MacDonald/Faery Maiden - The Misty Island, Kapow Theatre Scotland July 2017
Yonah - Children of Eden, NewClan Arts June 2017
Avatar - Lift: A New Musical, NewClan Arts, December 2016
Deb - Ordinary Days, New Clan Arts, December 2016
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.
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.
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
