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Hello,
and welcome to the Theatre Directors Scotland July newsletter! As we ease our way out of lockdown and rescue packages for the arts are announced, we at TDS have been busy running our buddy schemes and opening spaces for people to share ideas, opinions and concerns.
In addition to Friends for the End of an Era, our playwrights-directors buddy scheme, we have also opened Desert Island Designs to pair up directors and designers, in partnership with The Envelope Room. Niloo Far-Khan is one of the directors joining the scheme and here's what she said about it so far:
I’ve had some really interesting conversations with the designers I have been matched with from the Envelope Room. We have been talking about innovative set designs we have enjoyed so far and how we still aim to achieve something, be creative and safe with the restrictions in place. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to chat to designers as I’ve never had the chance before and I’m really looking forward to sharing new knowledge.
Directing Distantly has been re-branded TDS Thursdays. Every Thursday (unless otherwise stated), we will host a Zoom meeting which will vary in nature, responding to current events and needs raised by our members or other colleagues within the sector. Last Thursday we had the pleasure of hosting a Q&A with Jack Nurse, one of the members of the Freelance Task Force, working with the Citizens' Theatre and Pitlochry. You can read some of the main points discussed at this event here and an audio recording of the session will be available on Soundcloud in the coming days. For the next TDS Thursday, we are hosting a Zoom of Solace. If you need a space to just have a rant about anything, we'll be here to listen. Open to TDS members and non-members, register here to attend.
We still need a Treasurer! Our previously co-opted treasurer has had to step down so we need someone who can volunteer a couple of hours a week to give us a hand with finances. If that's you, please get in touch via email to directorsscotland@gmail.com and we will arrange a chat.
Finally, we have now sent out the report following from the Big Sector Meeting we held in October last year. The report has gone out to our members and the meeting attendees but if you aren't either and you would like to read the report, email us to request a copy.
Becoming a TDS Member
We want as many directors to access help as possible so we are extending perks to pending members, meaning if you sign up today we will not demand the full payment of membership but rather ask that you agree a payment plan with us. You will then become a pending member and enjoy membership benefits. We hope this means finances will not be a barrier for folk enjoying our services in these difficult times. Email us to request membership at directorsscotland@gmail.com
SEE OUR UPCOMING WORK
There has been an outpour of great content online live streamed or pre-recorded, all directed by fabulous talent, but we won't tell you about all of them. The entries below were submitted through our newsletter call out. Feel free to drop us a line if you want to be included in our August Newsletter.
The Den
Aimee and Joe are hiding in their homemade den, escaping from their over-zealously cleaning mum. She's having a Lockdown Meltdown. Outside, the world is bewildering and more than a little bit weird. But together in their Isolation Igloo, Aimee and Joe are superheroes cooking up a plan to defeat King Corona and his evil super spreaders.
Embracing the nature of lockdown, Christopher Schlechte-Bond’s score draws on the vigour and energy of librettist Fiona Williams’ childish themes, blending the musical voices of cellist Kevin Kirs Verstege, bassoonist Gillian Horn, and clarinettist Ozlem Celik, with his own synths and homemade percussion.
Available from 4th August here. Click here for full programme.
Directed by Jen McGregor
#SceneToSeen
An online series of new writing created under lockdown conditions, celebrating Scottish talent.
New episode released every Thursday at 7pm on Facebook and YouTube.
Various directors, produced by Interabang Productions.
Support Interabang Productions with a donation here.
OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT
Here's this month's opportunity:
Creative Lockdown Central Belters have a call out for creative to showcase their work through their social channels, offering support with content, promotion and connection opportunities. Get in touch via their social media or email.
TDS MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Kristofor Bate
Kristofor Bate was born in 1982 and has regretted it ever since, except for that one time he discovered a cocktail bar serving a drink called William Shakes Pear. His first foray into drama was at Cumbernauld Youth Theatre when he was five, and he is now the Artistic Director of Maskcraft Theatre. The time between was mostly spent gardening, but he also blagged a degree specialism in Community Theatre and built a set for a production of Godot.
Kris has directed Three by Harriet Braun, The Boat, co-written with Jonathan Whiteside, and his next project is a stage adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s Guards! Guards! He has also been known to act with credits that include Judge Brack, Pink Floyd and Minnie the Minx, the latter of which is the only role he can still remember the words for.
Kris is also the Deputy Secretary in the TDS Committee and loves a cup of tea.
Thanks for reading - hope to see you at one of our online events soon!
Theatre Directors Scotland
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