Applied theatre and social inclusion: Acting Now’s Artistic Director Marina Pallares-Elias takes us through a week in her working life. Marina Pallares-EliasSwipe / click to begin MondayDo you want to beat the dreaded Monday blues? Just work on something you’re passionate about! In September 2014, I launched Acting Now, a theatre company that works with people at risk of social exclusion. We’ve been shortlisted for funding from The People’s Projects and on Monday I was out collecting votes in Cambridge’s Market Square. I managed to get the Mayor to vote for us! TuesdayOn Tuesdays, I run a physical theatre course for the general public. As a teacher, what I like the most is creating a space where students feel free. They are always surprised when, in the first lesson, I say: “Please, make mistakes and don’t think.” This week we are presenting short scenes from ‘Forests’ by Wajdi Mouawad. WednesdayMy work involves leading the creative part of the company, but I spend a lot of time at my computer. Running a company requires time for reading emails, developing new projects, marketing, setting budgets and so on. When I started, I never would have imagined how much work is required to develop a business within the arts. Today all my energy is on running our online marketing campaign for the People’s Projects competition. ThursdayI love working with learning disabled adults at the Rowan arts centre, which I usually do on a Thursday. I’ve been working with them for more than a year now. Vulnerable people can feel excluded, but we help them to unlock their potential and drive change in their lives. I find it inspiring when, for example, Mark, one of our disabled actors, says: “When I am a famous actor, my name will be Mark Superstar.” FridayI run theatre workshops which culminate in the creation of inspiring and thought-provoking plays that reflect the participants’ own stories. Today we are rehearsing ‘Keep Holding My Hand’, an original play devised by a group of people whose members include some who are facing mental health challenges. We can’t wait to premiere the play next week. Marina Pallares-Elias is Founder and Artistic Director of Acting Now. actingnow.co.uk E marina.pallares@actingnow.co.uk Tw @acting_now Arts PeopleTheatreEqualityHealth and wellbeingLink to Author(s): Marina Pallares-Elias Published: 30-03-2017 Log in or register to post comments