Theatre group looking to spread its wings
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A MORAY theatre company which has spent the last 20 years promoting social inclusion needs a new base to continue its work.
Out of the Darkness Theatre Company (ODTC) desperately needs to move from its cramped and confined offices at Elgin Town Hall.
Since it was formed in 1992, the theatre group has evolved from a drama group for people with special learning needs under the auspices of the local social work department, into a professional theatre company which has toured all over Scotland and even worldwide with productions.
At its core remains social inclusion and helping individuals fulfil their ambitions and develop their skills.
It has also helped wider society look beyond first impressions and pre-conceived perceptions of people with learning needs.
Its award-winning work has given the theatre, which operates as a social enterprise, local, national and international acclaim and recognition.
Artistic director Tina McGeever said: "Everybody is treated like an adult, and my expectations of them are as high as professional actors.
"People do make assumptions that if you have a disability you cannot be good at something else. We look at their abilities, not their disabilities."
The local actors regularly work with industry professionals in performances.
Over the years the company, whose patron is Hollywood actor Kevin McKidd, who is from Elgin, has toured all over Scotland with productions.
They also perform at conferences and seminars, producing short issue-based pieces of drama and interactive theatre for companies and other organisations.
Their production, ‘The Shop’, which focused on the true life story of a heroin addict who died from an overdose, saw them work with the police to deal with the issue of drugs and alcohol. The performance toured schools all over Moray. Domestic abuse is another issue they have tackled through drama.
The theatre is about much more than just performances and acting, and it is now a Scottish Qualifications Authority approved centre for training and offers SVQ level 2 course in stage management, stage support, stage lighting and sound.
Whether stage front or behind the scenes, members of the theatre company are experiencing the full range of dramatic roles in a busy theatre. The company also has a multi-media group which meets regularly.
Much of the day-to-day training with local clients is done through a service level agreement with Moray Council. However, the tours and other dramatic performances have to be self-financing, which involves regular fund-raising activity and a series of grant applications.
Tina, who trained at the RSAMD in Glasgow, has her roots in social inclusion, having been involved in arts development with the social work department in Strathclyde.
She was also artistic director of the Birds of Paradise theatre company in Glasgow which was founded by disabled and able-bodied performers.
One of the highlights of Out of the Darkness in recent years was a 10-day tour to Dubai, which saw them do 11 performances of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and play in front of 3,000 people. They received standing ovations for their work. The English University of Dubai uses a DVD of the company’s work as part of their work on social inclusion.
Currently in the pipeline is a festive production of MacScrooge, which is set to tour local schools following support from the Creative Scotland community fund.
Looking ahead to next year, the theatre has commissioned writers Susan McClymont and David Buchanan to produce a stage version of the story of pioneer Scotty Philip, who was born in Dallas, Moray, and is widely credited with saving the buffalo from extinction in America.
That was a story that emerged from the Year of Homecoming and includes the era of American Indian leader Crazy Horse.
They are also hoping to tour with an adaptation of the ‘Just So’ stories by Rudyard Kipling, thanks to financial support from a benefactor.
The search for premises which might allow the company to develop further has so far proved difficult.
"If we had our own training theatre that could allow us to develop other courses and give even more back to the community," said Tina.
More information on the company is available online at www.odtheatre.org.uk
Pictures by Craig Ramsay
