Outspoken tour comes to an end

The cast of Outspoken, William Ruane, Mary Gapinski and Steven Rae performed for the last time today in Davey Anderson's brilliant play about stammering. Here are some photos taken by Tim Morozzo.







You can see the rest here.
..or read more about the project here.

Hx

Thanks to our project partners British Stammering Association Scotland and our sponsors ScottishPower.

A fresh start

With the festive season over, we are looking forward to a really busy year. There are lots of TAG shows on offer in 2009:

In March we are re-touring with our award-winning production of David Greig's play YELLOW MOON about a couple of teenage runaways. As well as performing in Frankfurt and The Hague (thanks to the British Council), we will also be in the UK. Click here for more details.


Photo by Tim Morozzo

In March and April we are also offering a brand new play by Davey Anderson along with a follow up workshop exploring issues of tolerance, bullying, citizenship and respect. This project, called OUTSPOKEN is being offered Free to S1 and S2 students.

In May MUSEUM OF DREAMS, a brand new work by Ailie Cohen and Guy Hollands will open at the Citizens Theatre and tour to the Bank of Scotland Imaginate Festival in Edinburgh. More details here.



Finally, in September, we hope to re-tour another Davey Anderson play that premiered at the Citz last year. LIAR, a co-production with Sounds of Progress may be available for touring (budgets permitting) from 7-26 September.


Photo by Eamonn McGoldrick

Along with loads of other education projects we are looking forward to a productive new year.

Hx

"Stammering is no joke"

Jan at BSA Scotland has just given me a heads up about an interesting campaign on YouTube.

The campaign, which is called 'Stammering is no joke', exists as YouTube has featured clips of people stammering under 'comedy'. There is a video by one of BSA's UK’s Trustees below. Whatever you think of YouTube’s policy on content, this is a really interesting debate and one that’s close to our hearts because of Outspoken.



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NB. Outspoken is supported by ScottishPower.

Outspoken photos

I was lucky enough to escape from my desk for a brief while today, to grab some snaps of the Outspoken team who are in all this week working with playwright Davey Anderson and drama/stammering expert (and all round cool guy) Taro Alexander, from New York.











Hx

P.S. Davey...you're cool too!

Renata's blog - stammering project

Continuing our series of blogs by participants of Outspoken, here’s what Renata Uznanska had to say about the project for young people who stammer:

"I found out about the project through BSA, directly from Jan Anderson.

Outspoken drama sounds very interesting within itself. It was a hunger for new challenges, new experiences and new people, that brought me to Glasgow Citizens.

I wanted to broaden my imagination, teach myself from new situations, generally challenge myself. I did enjoy all the activities apart form Romeo and Juliet (I must admit politely). I would be happy to try the mime which I missed.

The social side was very, very positive and inspiring at the same time. I am expanding my wings of confidence in stammering very slowly. After another session I know I’ll progress much more strongly.

I hope to have the chance to join you all in August!"

Find out more about how to get involved here.



Hx

Campbell's blog - stammering project

More from our "Outspoken" Bloggers...

I heard about the project from my friend theatre director Morna Burdon, who sent me an email about the initial TAG workshops in spring 2007, by getting in touch, I also got involved with The British Stammering Association Scotland on the same night.



I initially went along hoping to get work as the writer of the play, at least shadow the main writer of it, as I’m a qualified screenwriter, whose looking to break into writing for the stage and was hoping to get work as the writer of the show. Things didn’t quite go to plan, and I am now doing the acting part instead, which to my total surprise/shock – I am thoroughly enjoying doing it! That fact is still a bit of a shock to my system to be honest, as I’ve previously worked as a theatre and film technician, as well as a screenwriter.

I’ve particularly enjoyed the improvisations, as I am better at thinking on my feet and ad-libbing than I am at remembering dialogue (weirdly considering I’m a screenwriter!) – though I can’t wait to do my Duck Variations with Siobhan next Thursday night.

The social side has worked out very well; I’m working with a bunch of folk similar to myself, and friendships have formed. I unfortunately can’t socialise with them as much as I’d like to as I’ve been fairly skint lately, due to being unemployed and I fell more comfortable if I am able to buy my share of the rounds down the pub after class.



I’m considering doing some work as a movie and television extra (something I got real experience of last summer, when I worked on a feature film - more by default than anything else though, as I was officially a crew member on that production). Doing these workshops has given more the impetus to go ahead and do it again, I am in the process of researching various avenues (oh, yes and a thank you to Louise for passing on a few extras agency addresses to me!) into it and how to go about doing it. I haven’t noticed any effect on my stammer as such, but I do feel a lot more confident now, than I have been for quite some time. My communication skills have always been good anyway, but I reckon I’m maybe a little less shy than I was before starting the workshops.

Think you could benefit from this? Click Outspoken for more details.

Hx