This blog gathers reflections, resources, and lines of thought emerging from my work in theatre, education, communication, and culture
Communication
Your body may be undermining your communication before you say a word.
That is not a dramatic claim. I think it is increasingly a practical one. A great deal of modern working life now happens with the head forward, the eyes down, and the chin closer to the chest than it needs to be. Laptops, phones, notes and screens all encourage that...
Confidence Is Overrated. Interpretation Is the Real Skill.
Public speaking is still often taught at the level of surface adjustment. Speak louder. Slow down. Vary your tone. Use eye contact. Gesture more. Try to look confident. There is nothing...
What are we missing?
So much of what shapes a room is communicated without words. When I watch plays, I’m often drawn to what sits just outside the obvious focal point. Not because the centre isn’t strong. Because the experience is carried by what connects it. In theatre, meaning lives...
“Maximise Yourself in the Space”
One of my greatest joys is witnessing people step into their confidence, not just on stage but in all spaces of life. Over the years, I’ve found a phrase that resonates with my students and helps the way that they approach performance, presence, and purpose: “Maximise...
Exploring the Power of Kaizen
In recent discussions, the Kaizen philosophy has gained notable attention. Originating from Japan, Kaizen emphasises continuous improvement through small, incremental steps. This concept resonates well with the ancient wisdom shared by Laozi: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”.
Drama Teaching
Your body may be undermining your communication before you say a word.
That is not a dramatic claim. I think it is increasingly a practical one. A great deal of modern working life now happens with the head forward, the eyes down, and the chin closer to the chest than it needs to be. Laptops, phones, notes and screens all encourage that...
Assessment in KS3 Drama
This week I presented some work on KS3 Drama assessment to academic leadership and heads of department, alongside a colleague who was presenting on KS4 and KS5. What was useful was the shared thinking across the key stages: the strongest assessment comes from regular...
The Drama Studio: A Laboratory for Human Intelligence
The future belongs to people who can work fluently with technology and still remain unmistakably human: able to listen with empathy, hold attention, speak with conviction, and connect. I keep coming back to drama because it trains that mix in the most concrete way I...
What are we missing?
So much of what shapes a room is communicated without words. When I watch plays, I’m often drawn to what sits just outside the obvious focal point. Not because the centre isn’t strong. Because the experience is carried by what connects it. In theatre, meaning lives...
Teaching Students to Fly (Literally): Using Roadblocks to Inspire Creative Problem-Solving in Drama
In an era where innovation and adaptability are highly valued across industries, fostering creative problem-solving in the classroom isn’t just an asset, it’s a necessity. Recently, I’ve been reflecting on the role of a theatre director. In my view, one of the most...
Enhancing Motivation Through SDT
One of the many important things to me in my practice is building a real sense of intrinsic motivation in my students. I truly believe that to foster a love of learning, we should be setting the space for students to take more ownership of their work and find...
Thought
There’s an old story about a teacher pointing to the moon. A student, curious but distracted, stared at the teacher’s finger instead. The teacher smiled and said, “The finger points the way, but the moon is what you must see.” Teaching is like this. The art of...
True Stage Presence
I often hear people say things like, “be louder,” “add more energy,” or “use bigger gestures”when trying to help someone improve their stage presence or charisma. These suggestions come from a good place but I believe they can lead to only temporary results or even...
Drama: A Toolkit for the Future
As we navigate an era shaped by artificial intelligence and automation, it’s worth reflecting on the skills that will remain uniquely human. The skills that no algorithm can replicate. Drama, long celebrated for its creative and expressive power, is proving to be more...
Da Vinci Inspiration
Leonardo da Vinci’s life shows us the brilliance of curiosity and the creativity that blooms when we see knowledge as interconnected rather than confined to silos. Painter, anatomist, engineer, scientist and human, he reminds us that the boundaries between disciplines...
Corporate
Your body may be undermining your communication before you say a word.
That is not a dramatic claim. I think it is increasingly a practical one. A great deal of modern working life now happens with the head forward, the eyes down, and the chin closer to the chest than it needs to be. Laptops, phones, notes and screens all encourage that...
Confidence Is Overrated. Interpretation Is the Real Skill.
Public speaking is still often taught at the level of surface adjustment. Speak louder. Slow down. Vary your tone. Use eye contact. Gesture more. Try to look confident. There is nothing...
What are we missing?
So much of what shapes a room is communicated without words. When I watch plays, I’m often drawn to what sits just outside the obvious focal point. Not because the centre isn’t strong. Because the experience is carried by what connects it. In theatre, meaning lives...
“Maximise Yourself in the Space”
One of my greatest joys is witnessing people step into their confidence, not just on stage but in all spaces of life. Over the years, I’ve found a phrase that resonates with my students and helps the way that they approach performance, presence, and purpose: “Maximise...
Exploring the Power of Kaizen
In recent discussions, the Kaizen philosophy has gained notable attention. Originating from Japan, Kaizen emphasises continuous improvement through small, incremental steps. This concept resonates well with the ancient wisdom shared by Laozi: “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”.
