task 2d: relflective inquiry

For me, the thing that makes me most enthusiastic about my practice is finding unexpected positive qualities within individuals. I love meeting and getting to know new people and discovering how each and every person can have a positive impact on the creation of theatre both creatively and 'socially'. I find it so interesting that everyday both new discoveries are made and old ones are being pushed. To see the development of positive skill within any individual is in my opinion why the work and practice of inclusion is so important.
What can be frustrating, however, is the ignorance of inclusion that some people have, even within and inclusive setting such as Chickenshed. The frustration is usually heightened when it comes to shows and casting. Often people are so caught up in the bright lights and 'main' parts that they forget or do not acknowledge that the reason Chickenshed is so amazing is that every part has exactly the same value and importance and is influenced by every individual within it. Although this is frustrating I completely accept that inclusive performance practice is a minority compared to the 'mainstream' majority. When I feel frustrated I admire the work of Dina Williams, Associate Director of Chickenshed/Dancer, who completely shares my belief in hard work and that every section should matter. She pushes and stretches positive skills and seems to balance her direction as firm but fair.
I love to watch the practice of inclusion within creation, especially within the children’s theatre. I love to watch the complete innocence that children share and their open attitude with no inhibitions. The fact that the work they are producing within the environment that they are working is a set up that I admire greatly. One of the most talented men I have ever met, Paul Morral, Chickenshed's Director of education and outreach, shares this belief with me and this is reflected in his writing:

Making new worlds (Chorus)

Eat all your heart our destiny, we're making plenty new worlds
stirring up old humanity, creation is in a swirl
stretch out your countries, flex up your seas
link up your people, bush up your trees
we're making it slowly 'cos there no doubt..
when we get in our new world..when we get in our new world..
when we get in out new world we wont come out!

These world were written for a song performed by the Children’s theatre; ‘Making new worlds’.For me this sums up the ambition and beauty of a child’s imagination, something which Paul has shown massive passion for in his words.

At Chickenshed, I often find myself not understanding why any sort of negativity would be present within our working environment. I often struggle to understand why attitudes towards achievement or success can be negative. I suppose as I expressed earlier, there can be a certain ignorance that is notorious within the performing arts and the opinions that someone else’s success makes you experiences and achievements less valuable.  Louise Perry, Director of Performance at Chickenshed, is someone who also shares this non-understanding, however her opinion of ignorance is that it isn’t the individual concerned that has the issue it is often the uncertainty and influence of their environment. She has often said that it is up to us as practitioners of inclusion to convey our understanding and reason of practice so that each individual we work with can utilise the practice and know why certain decisions are being made.  This is a woman that I admire and aspire to because of her openness to not only asking questions but also not knowing that answer, she accepts and acknowledges that inclusion is an ongoing process that with forever be adapted and evaluated.

The workshop I delivered at the BRIT School (as described in my earlier blog ‘BRIT’) has sparked and interest within me to push inclusion further within the arts. It has made me want to discover more about how this can be achieved and on what scale inclusion can be used in an already established environment.