Scottish Government BSL National Plan Launch Tuesday 24 October 2017, 09.00 - 11.00 Venue: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB EVENT INFORMATION The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland launched the UK’s first Deaf Performing Arts Degree in 2015. This BA Performance undergraduate degree teaches students to be both actors and makers of work, exploring the most innovative ways of creating performance through British Sign Language and English. The working languages of the program are British Sign Language (BSL) and spoken English. This course is designed around the learning and teaching needs of deaf performers and is the only course of its kind in Europe. The course was developed in partnership with Solar Bear, a theatre company specialising in drama and training for young deaf performers. The partnership was formed through an SFC Innovation Voucher, which saw Solar Bear work with the Royal Conservatoire to create a 10-week pilot deaf theatre short course, which led to the creation of a full short course and summer school program and the development of the BA degree. The students are currently in rehearsal for a run of Love and Information by daring and playful writer Caryl Churchill. The show is a series of short scenes, and playfully explores different ways of making work for both D/deaf and hearing audiences. Some scenes are in British Sign Language, some in English, some are a mix of both. Mark McDonald MSP, Minister for Childcare and Early Years, will be visiting RCS to launch the BSL National Plan. There will be a short reception in the Jack Bruce Space, followed by a viewing of the rehearsals for Love and Information. Guests will then move back to the Jack Bruce Space to network with the Minister before departing. STAFF ATTENDING Prof Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal Janette Harkess, Director of External Relations Claire Lamont, Head of BA Performance in BSL and English Claire Miller, Events Manager Katherine McAinsh, Events Assistant Katie Bell, Marketing and Communications Manager Linda Innes, Deputy Marketing and Communications Manager SG STAFF ATTENDING Hilary Third, The Equality Unit, The Scottish Government Gordon Hay, The Scottish Government Derek Todd, Scottish Council on Deafness PROGRAMME 09.00 Arrival of Scottish Government Video Unit The video unit will be filming the Minister and footage of him networking with guests. They are then using the Boardroom, and setting this up with a green screen, so they can also record the piece with interpretation for immediate use. 09.15 Arrival of Mark McDonald MSP, Minister for Childcare and Early Years Minister to arrive via Box Office entrance and will be met by Prof Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal, and Janette Harkess, Director of External Relations. 09.15 for 09.30 Arrival of invited guests (BSL National Advisory Group members and Deaf Sector Partnership staff) Jack Bruce Space Registration desk to be set up next to Box Office and guests to be met by RCS staff and students on arrival. Tea/Coffee for approx. 30 people served in Jack Bruce. RCS, SG and Solar Bear banners set up. 09.30 Minister to lead group to the rehearsal room. 09.40 Viewing of rehearsal by BA Performance in British Sign Language and English cohort M1 Room to be set with 30 chairs for guests who will be able to view 15 minutes of rehearsal for the upcoming tour of Love and Information. Guests to be welcomed by Claire Lamont, Head of BA Performance in BSL and English, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. After 10 minutes the Minister will stand and thank the students and guests for attending. He will than move to the far side of the room and do a piece to SG camera [not external media], with rehearsal in the background, while the students finish the final 5 minutes of rehearsal. Guests are to remain seated and watching the rehearsal during this time. 09.55 Guests to move back to Jack Bruce Space Jack Bruce Space Tea/Coffee to be served. Students to join guests until 10.15. Minister to network with guests, opportunity to thank NAG members and DSP for their role in helping to develop Scotland’s first BSL National Plan. 10.30 Minister Departs 10.30 - 12.00 Scottish Government Video Unit Filming in Boardroom BIOGRAPHY Mark McDonald MSP, Minister for Childcare and Early Years Mark was born in Aberdeen in the North East Scotland. Educated at Dyce Primary School and Dyce Academy, Mark went on to gain an MA in Politics from the University of Dundee and an MLitt in Strategic Studies from the University of Aberdeen. From 2003 to 2011, Mark worked as a personal assistant to MSP's Richard Lochhead, Maureen Watt and Nigel Don. He was elected to Aberdeen City Council in 2007, representing Dyce, Bucksburn and Danestone. Mark was later elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2011 from the North East Scotland regional list with the SNP taking 52.7% of the vote. It came as a surprise to Mark who famously appeared at the declaration wearing jeans and a t-shirt! A by election in April 2013, saw Mark selected as the SNP candidate for Aberdeen Donside, where he resigned his regional seat. He was returned to the Scottish Parliament as MSP for Aberdeen Donside on 20 June 2013 and again on the 6th May 2016. NOTES The Minister will not undertake media interviews at RCS but will be available for photos and filming. Media interviews will be offered in the afternoon, after the Ministerial Statement. Gordon Hay (Scottish Government) will film the Minister doing a piece to camera during the rehearsal for SG purposes. SG / DSP to provide 2 BSL / English Interpreters and 2 Hands on BSL Interpreters for Deafblind member attending. Also Guide Communicator will be attending. RCS will have 2 BSL / English Interpreters working as part of the rehearsal process. Main contact on the day for BSL National Plan: Hilary Third and Derek Todd. .