Posted on April 20th, 2021
Today we announced the launch of the School of HighTide podcast supported by Nick Hern Books, the UK’s leading specialist theatre publisher and performing-rights agent. It’s a six-part series expanding on the content of the School of HighTide, our free workshop programme for writers who identify as Black, Asian, MENA, Latin and/or all Minority Ethnic heritage.
It is available to download and listen to for free now by clicking this link.
The podcast forms part of our current strand of work ‘Inventing The Future’ which includes partnerships with the University of East Anglia; University of the Arts London; and Rose Bruford College, as we explore the future of new writing post-COVID 19.
The podcast’s aim is to help artists expand their craft, and includes practical writing skills, navigating the industry, the future of theatre, politics and artist wellbeing. We asked the question ‘how can we tool artists to be creating work with a civic duty at the heart of it whilst making sure that they are able to look after their own heart, soul and mind?’ Our answer to this is the School of HighTide programme and subsequent podcast series.
Co-created and curated by HighTide Associate Artist Chris Sonnex and Artistic Director Suba Das and produced and presented by artist Naomi Soneye-Thomas, each episode features a conversation with a leading arts trailblazer on a subject they are passionate about. The first episode will be exploring how to generate new ideas and curiosity led approaches to researching a new play with Director Debbie Hannan.
Naomi Soneye-Thomas said,
“As an emerging writer myself, producing and hosting the School of HighTide podcast series has given me a new burst of creative energy. For any writers who have felt blocked or undecided on what to write next, for those wrestling with big themes but feel unsure of how best to explore them and for anybody who feels that they need space to reflect on their practice after the challenges of last year -this series should leave you feeling empowered to go and write that play!”
HighTide Projects Producer Holly White said,
”We’re thrilled to be launching our inaugural podcast series with the support of the Cultural Recovery Fund. During the last year, we’ve connected with more artists than ever before. We’ve had extraordinary conversations around how artists can continue to develop and create out of these challenging times and shared our hopes for the future. This podcast series builds on this and in particular the hugely successful School of HighTide workshop programme, allowing us to open up the conversation even wider and reach even more people. It is a privilege to be able to share the incredible insights of our guest speakers, we hope it will inspire listeners and remind us of the joy of creating or watching innovative new theatre.”
Lansons have provided editing support, continuing the long-term partnership between HighTide and Lansons. HighTide are also delighted to be working with Nick Hern Books on this project, due to their commitment to uplifting artistic voices.
