Developing Your Creative Practice!
My Showreel – 3 Neurodiverse actors!
Above is the link to listen to the Audiobook on Bandcamp. Please support our work and contribute a small amount to help Neurodiverse artists find employment in the arts.
What is my creative practice?
My creative practice is producing work that is accessible to neurodiverse actors and allows them to enter the arts industry.
Aims of the project:
- To develop an accessible audiobook and Showreel using the talent of Neurodiverse actors.
- To take an idea from the page to the final product.
- To learn Business management skills such as branding and marketing elements.
On the 28th of June 2022, we braved the train despite the recent strikes, and we held a full-day theatre workshop in Birmingham. This was to choose which Neurodiverse actors would work with me to make the accessible audiobook of ‘When I grow up I want to be a cat.’ It was also to choose which Neurodiverse actors would work with me to create my Show reel. I hope the actors had a lot of fun; I know I did! Can you guess what’s going on in that scene?
From July 2022 – September 2022, I was able to live in Amsterdam to work with The Cauldron Musical theatre company. We explored getting an idea from the page to a finished production. I even got to do a spot of fundraising, and I performed ‘Climb Every Mountain’ from The Sound of Music at the company’s Karaoke night. The performance was so realistic that passers-by believed I was a real nun, and I nearly got interviewed for a Catholic magazine. I had to confess I was only an actor! To read more about my experience, please see my blog page entitled – The Cauldron Theatre Company – My fundraising experience.
In October 2022, some of the Alternative Voices actors and I got together with Bazan Talent Agency for a showreel development day. We had a great time and got to play roles we would not normally play. I played a King’s serving girl. Some passers-by even stopped to watch us and complimented our acting abilities. Great for the old ego, I can tell you!
Just when you thought we were busy enough it was time to fly out to Los Angeles for a four day business conference called MEGA SUCCESS in November 2022. JT Foxx taught me everything from developing a unique selling point right the way though to how to make connections with potential partners and clients. I was exhausted but the biggest thing I learnt at that conference was about having self confidence. JT Foxx taught me how to believe in myself and my capabilities and for that I will be forever grateful. Thank you JT.
We may have even spotted a few celebrities along the way.
Mike Slade
Steadman Graham
Hugh Hilton
Our audiobook
Most recently, we created The Audiobook version of my book entitled ‘When I Grow Up I Want to be a Cat. Surviving the education system with Asperger’s.’ This book is about growing up and surviving the education system whilst living with Autism and interviews nine Autistic adults about their school experiences. The book was voiced by Six Neurodiverse actors and was released in May 2024. It is available for purchase on Bandcamp.