TECH SCARED TO TECH SAVVY
With DYCP funding, my goal was to:
Add and embed new digital and multimedia skills into my practice as a Queer Neurodivergent self-producing performance artist to increase accessibility, innovation & ambition of my work…
Between December 2023 and November 2024, I had the opportunity to explore new digital tools to expand my creative practice. I began tech-scared! For the first time, I used cameras, editing software including editing tools on social media (I finally got on TikTok), captioning tools, gaming software (such as Twine), and shadowed Chronic Insanity’s VR show, and EVEN took part in their R&D with a robot dog!
Whilst I doubt I will ever program a VR experience or a robot dog, I am eager to write, direct and produce stories and build worlds that can inhabit different digital spaces.
Joe Strickland and Robyn Winfield-Smith were my Digital Theatre mentors, as well as, Paula Varjack, who invited me to take part in Headlong’s Digital Theatre project with Associate & Project Manager, Iskandar إسكندر R. Sharazuddin in Feb 2024.
This DYCP also enabled me to see AMAZING new work that used digital tools effortlessly and accessibly including top favs:
- Exit Pursued by DWP by Benjamin Wilson
- FAMEHUNGRY by Louise Orwin
- Odds On by Dante Or Die
- 1884FM Experience
- iMelania by Paula Varjack.
My big takeaway about digital tools in theatre was that I found tech is best used as a tool to bring people together and rarely in theatrical experiences does tech hamper connectivity, but rather amplify the intimacy.
In a 2 day R&D on an eco Choose-Your-Own-Adventure script by award-winning writer, Emma Zadow at The Broadway Cinema, Nottingham in Aug 2024, I worked with new collaborators including Actor/Deviser, Rachelle Grubb & Nikki Charlesworth (Puppetry and Stop Motion Consultant). Paula Varjack supported me as Dramaturg and Critical Friend. See my Project page Second Nature for more information about the new Digital Live experience I am working on.
Thanks to this DYCP, I have a greater grasp on my access needs and more tools at my disposal, including digital technologies, to mitigate burnout and improve my mental well-being. Adding to my creative toolbox in this way has re-invigorated my creative practice, and got me excited to work in new ways!
Fundamentally I have learnt how to better advocate for myself and my access needs when collaborating with other creative practitioners and working within arts organisations. I have experienced ableism as a result of this, but largely I have found that through role modelling transparency and advocacy, I am inspiring and benefiting other Queer and Neurodivergent artists to get tech-savvy too!
