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Different Stages Conference Report Federation of Scottish Theatre; Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; Scottish Society of Playwrights Different Stages Conference Report 11th & 12th November 2015 1 Contents 1. Introduction and executive summary ........................................................... 3 2. DIFFERENT STAGES DAY 1 – SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER ....... 5 3. Welcome to Different Stages from Hugh Hodgart, Director of Drama, Dance, Production & Screen, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.................................... 6 4. Keynote speech from Fin Kennedy, playwright and Artistic Director of Tamasha Theatre Company ...................................................................................... 7 5. Keynote speech from Julie Ellen, Artistic Director, Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling ............................................................................................................. 23 6. Presentation from Christine Hamilton Consulting ......................................... 25 7. Exploratory discussions ............................................................................ 32 7.1 Scotland: A Place for Playwrights? Fraser White from Christine Hamilton Consulting .......................................................................................................................................................... 32 7.2 Short Plays ........................................................................................................................................................ 39 7.3 Shared Authorship ....................................................................................................................................... 41 7.4 Development & Dramaturgy ................................................................................................................ 44 7.5 Scratch Performances & readings .................................................................................................... 49 8. Question & Answer session chaired by Hugh Hodgart, with Julie Ellen and Fin Kennedy ................................................................................................ 53 9. DIFFERENT STAGES DAY 2 – SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY 12 NOVEMBER ........ 56 10. Evaluation of Different Stages ................................................................... 57 2 1. Introduction and executive summary Different Stages was a two-day conference which took place in November 2015. It was the first partnership event between the Federation of Scottish Theatre; Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland; the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; and, the Scottish Society of Playwrights. The Federation of Scottish Theatre (FST) The development body for professional dance, opera and theatre in Scotland, bringing the sector together to speak with a collective voice, to share resources and expertise and to promote collaborative working. Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland The nation's only arts organisation exclusively dedicated to the long-term support, development and promotion of Scotland's playwrights. One of its key aims is to, “facilitate critical thinking about playwriting through encouraging and facilitating debate and discussion, and by advocating for Scotland’s playwrights.” Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) A national and international centre of excellence for performing arts education. Scottish Society of Playwrights (SSP) A membership organisation representing the interests of professional playwrights in Scotland. It is affiliated with the Scottish Trades Union Congress. Different Stages built on discussions and previous work between the different organisations. It was also requested by playwrights and other theatre practitioners as a follow-up to the Open Space event organised by Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland during their 10th anniversary year in 2014. Different Stages aimed to: Discuss the issues around new playwriting in Scotland within a wider UK context Promote good practice in the commissioning, development and production of new playwriting in Scotland Encourage good relationships between playwrights and production companies, independent producers and directors In the longer term, encourage more new plays to be commissioned, developed and produced in Scotland through better quality of processes and relationships Raise the profile of new playwriting in Scotland A core steering group of representatives from the FST, Playwrights’ Studio and the SSP met regularly from late 2014, to structure the programme, decide the content and agree each partner’s contribution. This report contains notes from each of the sessions and a summary of the evaluation of the event. 3 Different Stages was funded in part from a wider project fund awarded to Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland by Creative Scotland as part of a Creative Economy (Sustainable Development) grant. Financial and in-kind contributions were made by the FST, SSP and RCS. The partners would like to thank the following organisations and individuals: Hugh Hodgart for chairing the conference. The keynote speakers – Julie Ellen, Christine Hamilton and Fin Kennedy. Fraser White for hosting a surgery on the research report from Scotland: A Place for Playwrights? Nicola McCartney, Philip Howard, Barrie Hunter, Gemma McElhinney, Nicola Roy, Anita Vettesse, Mark Wood and Angus Miller for the script development workshop on Wolf Road by Nicola McCartney. The FST Producers Hub and FST members – Sarah Gray, Rosie Kellagher, Michael O’Neil, Dani Rae, Lesley Anne Rose and Cat Tyre for hosting surgeries and co-facilitating discussions. The SSP members – Peter Arnott, Davey Anderson, Kieran Hurley, Kathy McKean, Alan McKendrick, Martin O’Connor and Deb Jones for hosting surgeries and co-facilitating discussions. Danny Frew for his graphic design expertise. The CCA for physically hosting the conference as part of Playwrights’ Studio’s cultural tenancy. Everyone who attended and gave so generously of their time, energy and enthusiasm! Thank you! Fiona Sturgeon Shea Creative Director Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland 19th May 2016 4 2. DIFFERENT STAGES DAY 1 – SCHEDULE FOR WEDNESDAY 11 NOVEMBER Time & Venue Activity 10 – 11am Registration opens (CCA Front Desk and CCA café) Tea and coffee provided for delegates in CCA Café. 11 – 11.30am Welcome to Different Stages from (CCA Theatre) Hugh Hodgart, Director of Drama, Dance, Production & Screen, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. 11.30am – 12.30pm Keynote speeches from Fin Kennedy and (CCA Theatre) Julie Ellen Fin will talk about his dual roles as playwright and Artistic Director of Tamasha and present some innovative ideas for developing artists and creating new work and opportunities. Julie, Artistic Director of Macrobert Arts Centre, will reflect on successful models of collaboration and arts development, and pose some questions about leadership, ideas and places. Questions from delegates. 12.30pm – 1.30pm LUNCH BREAK (lunch not provided) 1.30 – 2pm Presentation from Christine Hamilton (CCA Theatre) Consulting Christine Hamilton from Christine Hamilton Consulting will present some early findings from the recent survey Scotland: A Place for Playwrights? commissioned by Playwrights’ Studio and the Scottish Society of Playwrights. 2 – 2.30pm Introduction to Exploratory Discussions (CCA Theatre) Fiona Sturgeon Shea, Creative Director of Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland will explain the format for the afternoon. 2.30 – 4.30pm Exploratory Discussions (CCA Theatre, Cinema and Clubroom) Short Plays: Facilitated by Davey Anderson and Mhari Robinson Shared Authorship: Facilitated by Kieran Hurley and Mary McCluskey Development & Dramaturgy: Facilitated by Peter Arnott and Rosie Kellagher Scratch Performances & readings: Facilitated by Deb Jones and Lesley Anne Rose Scotland: A Place for Playwrights? Fraser White from Christine Hamilton Consulting will also present some statistical findings from the recent survey. 4.30 - 5pm BREAK (CCA Cafe) Tea and coffee provided for delegates in CCA Cafe 5 – 5.30pm Reflections from Exploratory Discussions (CCA Theatre) Opportunity for facilitator pairs to offer feedback from each exploratory discussion. 5.30 – 6pm Panel Discussion with Fin Kennedy and (CCA Theatre) Julie Ellen Opportunity for final questions from delegates 6pm Drinks Reception - delegates are invited to carry (CCA Café) on the conversations in the bar. 5 3. Welcome to Different Stages from Hugh Hodgart, Director of Drama, Dance, Production & Screen, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Hugh opened the conference by welcoming the delegates to the beginning of a conversation - an opportunity to share thoughts and ideas. He then gave a brief outline of the day, with a few thoughts on where the conversation might progress during the two days. “This is the most culturally ambitious government that Scotland has ever had. We believe that public funding of the arts is a fundamental good and we want the opportunity to take this to new heights - carried on a wave of aspiration, optimism, energy and confidence.” Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs. “New writing is the lifeblood of Scottish Theatre,” Creative Scotland Theatre Sector Review. Hugh reminded delegates of the question the conference sought to explore, “working together, how do we ensure that excellent new plays are written, developed and produced? How can we better serve the audiences of Scotland, and beyond, with the best and most diverse new work?” Hugh went on to describe the nature of the Scottish theatre sector
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