Following two days of fantastic workshops online, on Saturday 23rd April we gathered at the Barnfield Theatre in Exeter for a day of in-person practical workshops. And what an incredible day it was! 

Here’s my run down of the day… 

• Workshop one with Helen Bovey and Dan Baker from Exeter Northcott Theatre 

The first was a workshop on approaches to theatres and creating a tour pack.  

We analysed tour packs to discover what worked and what didn’t, and delved into what a pitch for our dream show might look like. I gained a very clear understanding of the necessary requirements as well as how to make a tour pack or show pitch stand out. 

I truly believe in being a multi-skilled practitioner and the more strings to the bow, the better. So learning these producing skills will be invaluable to any projects moving forward and can only enrich what I do. 

• Workshop two with Helen Tiplady and Kirsty Cotton from Hall for Cornwall 

The second was a workshop on tackling day 1 of rehearsal. We discussed productive working methods when joining a new team and explored a range of games and exercises to bring everyone together, starting any project off with a bang!  

I absolutely loved playing these new games and visualised how I might work them into my future rehearsal processes. We all know that day 1 of rehearsal can be nerve-wracking but this workshop really made me reflect on the importance of this particular day and how to make the right ever-lasting first impression. 

• Workshop three with Jay Zorenti-Nakhid from Tobacco Factory Theatres 

The third was a workshop on approaches to working on text and ‘finding the game’ within a scene. We played with how to use games as a vehicle for action, utilising them during rehearsal as well as in performance.  

I found it particularly helpful when we brainstormed games for actions and relationships in a scene such as ‘to please’, ‘to intimidate’, ‘winning’, ‘conflict’ and ‘power dynamic’ as it meant my toolkit could just grow and grow.  

I’m always looking for new ways to explore what’s going on in a scene and using games is an energising, playful and tangible method to do that with actors. I can’t wait to try out the new games I’ve picked up! 

• Workshop four with Gabby Vautier from imPOSSIBLE Producing 

The fourth was a workshop on vision, mission and values. We examined our dreams, what drives us and our purpose as artists – what we do, how we do it, who we do it for, why we do it, and what impact we want it to have.  

I reflected on the significance of having clarity on my vision, mission and values for myself as an artist but also being able to articulate and communicate them to others too as a brand and business. It’s something I want to continue honing. 

• Workshop five with Alix Harris from Beyond Face 

The last was a workshop on dealing with imposter syndrome. We personified and challenged our imposter syndrome to get distance and delved into self-coaching to take positive steps forward towards our career goals.  

I discovered that by giving my imposter syndrome a character of its own and framing the negative thoughts as theirs, instead of mine, I was able to really separate myself and gain perspective. 

Being able to open up and share those feelings of imposter syndrome in a room full of incredible people doing the same lifted a weight off my shoulders. It hammered home how crucial it is to be having these conversations and the value of truly listening to others and to ourselves. 

Final thoughts

The experience, the workshops and the people I met had a profound impact on me. I was left not only with a mind bursting with ideas but an expanded practice, a network of brilliant creatives and a real sense of belonging. The atmosphere of the room was filled with a very special generosity, warmth and openness – striking a deep connection in me to the region and those creating within it. 

Artist development is at the heart of my work and I love supporting the growth of others. But it was joyous to have this space and time to focus solely on the learning and development of myself as a human and artist. Having worked in the theatre industry for several years, it’s still crucial to me to always be continually working on my craft. 

I feel very lucky to have met and worked with each and everyone involved – thank you.

Blog post by Phoebe Rhodes
Theatre Director and Actor Trainer, based in the South West.
phoeberhodes.com

Photos by Emily Appleton – Southwest Theatre Photography
swtheatrephoto.co.uk

More about RTYDS New Directions 

New Directions South West is a project delivered in partnership with RTYDS, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Hall for Cornwall, Exeter Northcott Theatre, Beyond Face and imPOSSIBLE Producing. 

We invited a group of under-represented directors and theatre makers based in the South West to take part in a series of workshops around the craft and career of directing. 

First, they took part in two online days hosted by RTYDS, with workshops by Jesse Jones, Nancy Medina and Evie Manning. They explored the themes of making work in the South West, devising work and making site-specific work. 

They were then invited to an in-person day hosted by the partner theatre organisations. The group gathered at Barnfield Theatre to take part in practical workshops by: 

• Helen Bovey (Artist Development Producer) and Dan Baker (Programme Manager) from Exeter Northcott Theatre 
• Helen Tiplady (Deputy Creative Director) and Kirsty Cotton (Talent Development Manager) from Hall for Cornwall 
• Jay Zorenti-Nakhid (Associate Director) from Tobacco Factory Theatres 
• Gabby Vautier (co-Founder) from imPOSSIBLE Producing, and 
• Alix Harris (Artistic Director) from Beyond Face. 

RTYDS started the New Directions projects over the global pandemic, providing online workshops for early career directors across the country. The aim has been to provide entry points into directing for those who continue to feel theatre is neither accessible to them or inclusive of them. 

Each series of workshops were curated around the idea of what skills directors and theatre makers might need moving forwards after lockdown and what feels important in the work we make and the way we make it.