Blue Scar Project

In South Wales (The Valleys), forward-thinking theatre company; Avant Cymru have been working on Blue Scar. With their first R&D at the beginning of 2017, they are currently developing the project into a full length production to be toured September 2018.

Artistic Director, Rachel Pedley offered me an internship for three weeks. My role consisted of being a runner, attending arts council funding meetings, working with producers, film-makers and photographers. As well as, attending rehearsals and acting as a filler so I could step in if someone couldn't perform.

This project is inspired by this section of Wales being an area of deprivation due to the coal mine disaster, making hundreds of people in the area redundant, living on benefits. Rachel wanted to incorporate hip hop in relation to what was happening during the 1980s scene that had died after Charlie Barker's (Slam) funding had been cut. Bringing in Amhed Zada from Bristol, James Fogerty (Therobot) from Leeds, Patrick Thomas and Tommy Boost from South Wales as well as herself and Slam. This is in aid of bringing the community together with the audience demographic being those near the area, promoting the quality is just as good if you were to travel to Cardiff.

The name Blue Scar came from tales when coal miners used to get a cut, if they rubbed coal dust onto it then their scar would heal blue.

It has been an absolute pleasure to step out of my comfort zone and work with artists from all different backgrounds. Learning break dance and helping contribute my ideas to the urban movement created choreographically in rehearsals. I have enjoyed my days with Alan White (producer) attending meetings around the country to apply for funding and being able to share my experiences to promote an education process. Avant Cymru encourage working with the community, outreaching to the older and younger generation with multiple project that are always ongoing. Seen as this company has only been running since 2015, the professionalism and creative approaches including heavy research into every project has been really insightful for me to see how a professional company operates.

Below is my vlog for week 1: