Provoking Thought and Sparking Change: A Conversation with Lucy Dear #43
Click here to download the episode.
SHOW NOTES
Today I’m talking with Lucy Dear. Lucy is an applied theatre practitioner, director and community producer from London with fifteen years of experience working in applied theatre.
She designs and delivers projects with mainstream & special needs primary and secondary schools and colleges, youth centres, youth theatres, hospitals, universities, museums, and arts organisations.
She specialises in working with inner-city community groups - building confidence, and creating positive experiences through the arts.
In the UK, she has worked with many organisations, including Soho Theatre, Young Vic, Lyric Hammersmith, The Unicorn Theatre, The Southwark Playhouse, The British Museum, The Gate Theatre, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Chickenshed and Battersea Arts Centre, among others, and has delivered projects internationally with Faust International and Dramatic English in Hong Kong, the Philippines and Lithuania.
In the heart of theatre lies a transformative power transcending its façade of entertainment. Lucy Dear, an accomplished applied theatre practitioner, maker, and community producer, unveils the profound influence of theatre and arts on society and how they drive social change. This blog post provides a deep dive into her captivating journey and unique insights into the theatre world.
Growing up, Lucy was a member of youth theatres. Her initial interest in set design led her to an unexpected yet rewarding career in theatre. She pursued applied theatre at Queen Mary University of London, where she was drawn to exploring gender and gender normativity. Lucy's experiences and academic pursuits have allowed her to use theatre as a platform to challenge societal constructs and norms.
Inclusive spaces are integral to fostering social change; Lucy's work is a testament to this. She has worked with diverse groups, using arts to break down barriers. Her passion for the psychology and anthropology of theatre supersedes its entertainment aspect, demonstrating the potential of theatre in promoting social inclusivity. She reflects on the challenge of finding words to express her purpose, underscoring the importance of creating spaces where everyone's contribution is valued and feels safe.
The conversation takes a powerful turn when Lucy confronts gender dynamics and domestic violence. She advocates for the power of art in driving social shifts and highlights the importance of focusing on the choices available to young men and women. Her work explores the power of art in reducing gender-based violence and emphasizes the need to understand power dynamics in relationships regardless of gender or sexuality.
One of Lucy's most significant projects is "All in your Head", a site-specific online piece based on women's experiences of domestic abuse and coercive control. The piece red flags and warning signs of abuse but also creates a discussion point for coercive control and domestic abuse.
Lucy's outreach work extends to schools, where she collaborates with a spoken word artist to work with young men. They explore masculinity, challenge stereotypes, and encourage open discussions about power dynamics in relationships. This work exemplifies the full circle of the "All in your Head" project, as it acknowledges women's and men's experiences.
Lucy Dear's work shines a light on the transformative potential of the arts. She uses theatre as a mirror to reflect societal norms and as a tool to question and challenge them. Her journey is a testament to the power of art in driving social change, highlighting the profound psychological and anthropological underpinnings of theatre.
LINKS MENTIONED
And… the new baby
