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 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.
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PHoto Credit: Dylan Blore/Oh Shoot
Current Projects
I recently became Creative Engagement Artist at Eco Drama, having worked with them since August 2021 as a freelance Drama Artist on their Out to Play project. In this role I am responsible for ensuring the creative quality of the Out to Play project, and support drama artists to design and deliver residencies, I also deliver myself; working across multiple schools and nurseries in Glasgow delivering outdoor, arts-based learning for sustainability sessions with a focus on promoting nature connection through storytelling, drama and experiential learning. I am currently working on developing a new resource pack for the project, designed to support teachers to implement storytelling into their outdoor learning practice.
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I split my time between Eco Drama and freelance opportunities, and have recently worked with What Happens Now?, Aberdeen Performing Arts and Creative Spark Theatre Arts.
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 Engagement Artist/Drama Artist - Out to Play, Eco Drama August 2021 - Ongoing (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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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/Content
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 from early years stages 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, 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 and research.
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I am a member of Disclosure Scotland's PVG Scheme. I am a member of Spotlight and Equity. I hold a current First Aid at Work qualification.
Photo Credit: Ciro Art Studio, Talegate Theatre Productions, Aberdeen Arts Centre
