Crafted from transcripts for an assessment for the Department of Work and Pensions, HERA Theatre’s ‘We Ask These Questions of Everybody’, to stream online on Friday 29th January 2021, highlights the mental, social and financial pressures faced by disabled people in the UK, especially during this very difficult time. Presented as a verbatim opera, the online production offers an insight into a community often underrepresented. Visual Artist Laura Spark –  who specialises in animations, projections and live visuals tells us more about her process for creating creative captioning for the show.

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Crafted from transcripts for an assessment for the Department of Work and Pensions, HERA Theatre’s ‘We Ask These Questions of Everybody’, to stream online on Friday 29th January 2021, highlights the mental, social and financial pressures faced by disabled people in the UK, especially during this very difficult time. Presented as a verbatim opera, the online production offers an insight into a community often underrepresented. Composer, musician and artist Amble Skuse – whose work involves working with a variety of texts which she then fuses with musical elements, tells us more about her creative process for the show.

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A distinctive part of early 21st century dating, dating apps have shaped how we interact, connect and meet up with prospective partners in the digital era. Tapping into this phenomenon in her debut show ‘Manimals’, game producer Michelle Hudson explores dating, loneliness and the struggle to connect within our digital age. Ahead of the multimedia experience, to take place on Zoom initially in the UK from February and Canada from March, Michelle tells us more about the technical elements of the interactive piece.

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Recognising the need for an accessible resource to support with mental health online, Minderful, meaning “nurturing a good state of mental fitness”, is a website comprised of ‘blocks’ and ‘block routines’, features that allow for users to create their very own personalised wellness routines. Currently available to access, Minderful tell us more about the website’s creation, the website’s focus on ‘mental fitness’ and what their hopes for the resource are moving forward.

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Starting off as a podcast in 2018, Industry Minds currently offers a space for creatives to discuss issues relating to mental health. An important outlet and resource contributing to the mental health conversation, the charity also offer low cost and free counselling sessions led by counsellor Mary Burch BEM, as well as running The Industry Mind Awards – an initiative acknowledging the work of those raising awareness of mental health in the arts. Having supported the industry during a difficult year, co-founders Scarlett Maltman and Cathy Read tell us more about the charity’s work.

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Raising the profiles of pub theatres within the capital, London Pub Theatres Magazine celebrates and supports our unique fringe theatre culture. Founded and edited by theatre maker Heather Jeffrey, the magazine has helped to raise the awareness of the various theatre venues that continue to shape the industry. Heather tells us more about what inspired her to create the publication, how theatres are currently adapting to restrictions with online shows, the awards initiatives created to celebrate the great work being created and her hopes for the publication moving forward.

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An online platform consisting of live performances, audio, music, ebooks and learning resources, ‘Thespie’ aims to “help rebuild theatre in a way that’s better for artists and better for audiences; helping to kickstart the return of safe, live performance.” Recognising the needs of both theatre creatives and theatre goers, founder Tyler Stoops has drawn on his technical background to offer a multi-faceted experience promoting accessibility, especially to rural audiences. Currently available to visit online, Tyler tells us more about the platform.

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Creating a space celebrating the vibrant world of West End Theatre, The Theatre Café offers a welcoming environment for regular theatre goers and those new to the theatre the opportunity to experience the West End from a new perspective; whether that be with Open Mic nights, performances or discussions. Reflecting upon this year, founder Jack Malin tells us more about The Theatre Café’s digital adaptations and the venue’s future plans.

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An initiative continuing on from their work of supporting fellow performers within the industry, Just Add Milk (JAM) recently announced the recipient of this year’s Luke Westlake Scholarship -a reward offering additional support to a 2nd year drama or university student in the pursuit of their performance career. Alongside the scholarship, JAM also produce their own work addressing social issues, previous work witnessing them team up with charities CALM and Muscular Dystrophy UK. JAM tell us more about the crucial work they do.

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The NHS have played a significant role in tackling the Covid pandemic, their efforts crucial to the nation’s recovery from the crisis. Giving voice to the experiences of those who work within the medical profession, founder of the Empathy Museum Clare Patey talks about the organisation’s latest initiative – From Where I’m Standing. Both a physical and online exhibition, the initiative showcases 34 real life stories from the pandemic, audio clips further expanding on the participants experiences. Currently available to view and listen to, Clare tells us more about the exhibition which serves as an important historical archive of this year.

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