Spotlight on Greg

This Easter term I had the privilege of working with the Blue Sky Actors on Saturday afternoons in Stratford. This group of talented individuals have created not one, not two but three new plays on the theme of “To Be Continued…”. An amazing achievement, but then who was going to direct these pieces? A great question as I had no idea either. But then I found out I was to be one of the three directors of the shows. I have never directed anything before, my background being an actor and improvisor, so this challenge was very daunting to say the least. But as we devised the pieces, I saw the skill and confidence of the actors, this inspired me to step outside my comfort zone and try new things. Something these actors do every session. They have been so patient with me as I try this new skill and stumble my way through, but without going through that process we never learn anything new about ourselves.

When I was devising with the group, one of the questions I asked was “what would you tell your younger selves?”. This gave a variety of amazing answers, from “be brave”, “let your voice be heard” and “sing more” but one stood out for me, it was “Find people that love you for who you are and help you grow”. This is what I have found working at Face Front and with the Blue Sky Actors, a place that helps you grow and welcomes you with open arms to try new things and to take a leap. I will leave you with a quote by the Applied Theatre godfather and general good egg, Paulo Freire who said, “Knowledge emerges only through invention and re-invention, through the restless, impatient, continuing, hopeful inquiry human beings pursue in the world, with the world, and with each other”. Couldn’t have said it better myself.