The Grapevine

The academic year is coming to a close, and in the drama department that means one thing… time for GAFTAs!

We thought we would create a blog post to make sure everyone is in the know about what GAFTAs actually is. This post is for anyone who has already signed up and paid to come, just so you know what you’re in for! This year’s GAFTAs is the first time that the event has run properly since before the pandemic started, so the first time our third years have attended the event in all it’s glory! (Special thanks to Meze Bar and Grill for holding a Covid-19 safe version of GAFTAs in 2021.)

GAFTAs is the Drama department equivalent and an obvious play on the word BAFTAs. The event is an end of year ball to celebrate this year’s achievements and acts as a final farewell to the third years who are leaving. It has been running for over twenty five years and is a long standing department tradition.

What is the Dress Code?

The dress code for the event is formal, think Black Tie. As mentioned above, the event is a ball, so prepare your formal wear and dancing shoes.

What are the Awards?

Throughout the evening awards will be given out! You have already voted for your nominations for the categories that range from year group specialism awards to The Biggest Main Character. Soon, after the nominations have been collected you will be able to vote for your winner of choice via a survey once again!

What is the structure for the evening?

• Arrive at The Gulbenkian at 17.00. 
• Arrive at Cave Castle at around 18.30 (bus lasts about an hour)
• Drinks and Photos
• Dinner at 19.30
• Awards and GAFTAs waves
• Lots of dancing
• Midnight pickup

What is included for your money?

• Three-Course Meal 
• Travel to and from Cave Castle 
• Photographer 
• DJ 
• Awards
• Decorations
• Summer Punch on arrival

Who was on the committee this year?

The GAFTAs committee are made up from your fellow students, this year it included third years Amy Ashwell, Siobhan Ashton, Elisabeth Mohun and Adonis Taylor and second year Jenny Simms.

What are the GAFTAs Waves?

The GAFTAs waves is a video that documents third years waving goodbye at the camera in a variety of ways. This can be themed around chosen specialisms, or located in favourite rooms within the department. You as a third year have the freedom to choose how creatively you say your final farewells to your time at The University of Hull.  Third years please send over your videos to Jenny Smith by Friday the 27th of May!

GAFTAs is going to be an absolutely brilliant way to end this year, so dust off your dancing shoes and we’ll see you there!

Written by Martha Kent and Maisie Lloyd

Hi Everyone! Hope you’re all staying safe and happy during these weird times. 

Just as a little disclaimer, none of this is intended to offend/upset anyone at all. We do not know everything, and none of this is to say we are correct, this is simply some things that we both thought were important and useful to share! Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and outlooks.

Mental Health problems can affect up to one in four people around the world at some point in their lives. It is something that can affect you a lot, or something that can affect you a little. Everyone is different and it is important for us to be supportive and empathic of everyone’s different needs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. Everyone has different ideas about mental health, and that is okay. Here is a little about the Arts and Mental Health. Both topics are very important in our hearts. 

The Arts Industry is one of the most notorious industries for its impact on mental health, both positive and negative. During this global pandemic, we have turned to the arts for entertainment. Art, in all forms, has come to the rescue of every generation. We are frequently exposed to the positive impact of the arts but less so, the negative effects, especially when it comes to mental health. It is vital for people in the Arts industry to understand the ‘ups and downs’ inherent in this industry and not personalise them. As someone venturing into this industry, I have already experienced situations where I knew the industry was impacting upon my mental health. I concluded that, one of the reasons for this, is the lack of separation between your work and your sense of self. As a theatre maker, in all contexts, your creative output is inextricably linked to your sense of self, and, as such, any criticism of your performance might feel like a direct critique of yourself as a person. This, naturally, can affect your mental health. It is key that we are all able to find a balance. Something I think we are all learning at University. 

The stigma surrounding mental health can prevent some people opening up about their own emotional problems. Talking about your feelings, however, is crucial to finding the right support and understanding your own mental health issues. It is important, therefore, to overcome any unhelpful fear of what others might think. There are many ways to prevent serious mental health problems from spiralling out of control, once recognised, but recognition is sometimes the very problem! So, we need to help ourselves to become more aware of our own mental health and the context which fosters this. For example, there are ways to facilitate this by keeping yourself physically fit, eating and drinking well, keeping connected to friends and family and asking for help.

This leads me on further to a few examples of ways that you may be able to help your own mental health; the first one being to ask for help (do not be afraid to do this. We all struggle sometimes) Seeing friends and family that you love and trust. Playing your favourite game. Listening to your favourite album. Mindfulness and Meditation. Going on a long walk. Having a nice warm shower/bath. Everyone is different and different things will help each person, but those are just a few that I know work for some people. But really, anything that makes you feel safe and happy is a good way to start. 

There are many support systems in place to help students struggling with mental health problems. On the canvas site (Drama Students – Pages – Green Room Committee – Hull University Student Support.docx), there is a page focussing on the main support systems in place, not just for mental health. Please go on there and familiarise yourself with them. They are there to guide and help you.

Mental Health Support – This will take you to a page with a list of symptoms to refer to and ways that the University can offer support. Please remember that these symptoms are just examples. If you or a friend are struggling, please reach out for help, regardless of the specific symptoms. Please do not hesitate to make contact with me if you would like any further support in accessing or navigating this.   

https://www.hull.ac.uk/choose-hull/student-life/student-support/mental-health

Big White Wall – This is a free, anonymous online help service. They offer a range of support, and, as students, we are able to make anonymous accounts, free of charge. Nobody has to know that you sign up for this, unless you would like them to. Please do not hesitate to make contact with me if you would like any further support in accessing or navigating this.  

https://www.hull.ac.uk/choose-hull/student-life/student-support/big-white-wall

24 Hour Support – The University has attached some specialist services that you can reach out to 24/7. These would be useful if you need some support outside of the University’s working hours. Please do not hesitate to make contact with me if you would like any further support in accessing or navigating this.                                                                                    https://www.hull.ac.uk/choose-hull/student-life/student-support/24-hour-support

Meditation and Mindfulness – Meditation has been shown to reduce depression and anxiety. There are free apps such as ‘insight timer’ as well as plenty of Youtube videos on guided meditation. Here is an attached youtube video for meditation for positive energy. However, please use any video which you find helpful. Please do not hesitate to make contact with me if you would like any further support in accessing or navigating this.  

This blog post was made to continue to motivate costume students and encourage others to explore the field. Costume can really be whatever you want it to be and these students prove that the skills you learn in costume can help in so many different ways. I came up with some questions that I think help them explain why costume is important to them and how its helped keep them busy through lockdown. These were all done over video call.

Connie – Student and Costume Rep for the GRC

Connie is going into her second year of her Drama degree at Hull University and will be one of the Costume reps on this years Green Room Committee, she continues her love of costume and art outside of uni.

Q – How do you continue to keep motivated whilst doing costume and drawing up designs?

A – I’d say for me its a lot to do with social media and Instagram. So I follow quite a few art accounts and for motivation its good especially in lockdown. Because I can’t physically go in to uni, or art galleries, or even speak to people face to face so following accounts on Instagram has definitely helped me keep motivated, and it gives me inspiration to keep creating my own art. Especially with costume following theatre companies online, staying in contact with people who do costume and keeping up to date with each other really helps me to stay inspired.

Q – Why did you choose to specialise in costume? what initially drew you to it?

A – I’ve always been a creative person so when I was younger I used to love doing art and anything creative. I started off doing special effects makeup, kind of teaching myself that and then that introduced me to the world of film and costume. Thats mainly what I would love to specialise in, film costume design. So thats what introduced me into the idea of costume when I signed up to uni I didn’t really realise that I would be this interested with costume but after Listening to the connections you can make and the amount of options available after uni I knew it was something I was interested in continuing.

Q – What do you enjoy the most about costuming shows and what skills have you developed through costuming shows?

A – The thing I enjoy the most is the whole process so from start to finish. So you have your planning and then going on to actually pulling costumes and also getting to work with different people. It means I get to meet lots more people, It gives you a chance to share different ideas and then when you move onto different shows you carry those connections with you and its always nice to have different ideas. If you costume a show by yourself you can get stuck in a rut so its always nice to have other peoples ideas and opinions. The skills I have developed, definitely organisational skills. I never knew how much there is to organise. You don’t go straight away to just pull costumes, you need to do a costume plot, you need to meet with the cast to take measurements. You need to be very organised and prepared otherwise your gonna get lost. Time management as well it cant be rushed.

Q – What transferable skills have you brought from art to costume?

A – My design skills help me a lot with costume designs especially with the way I apply colours because I have a bit of experience with how colours work, shading etc. This also helps when you’re physically putting a costume together understanding how colours work, and the fine details as well. I like that sometimes I can be a bit of a perfectionist.  I think thats a good skill to bring across.

Q – What do you hope to bring to your role as costume rep?

A – I want everyone to feel included. As a department if we don’t make everyone feel included it wont work. I hope to make sure everyone feels welcome even if they’ve never done costume before and they just want to give it a try or they want to just come along to one of the workshops and just give it a go, making sure they know that everyone is welcome.

Q – what would be your dream show to costume?

A – I think Mamma Mia, because I love the big flares and the platform boots and the whole 70’s vibe I love.

Tori – Cosplayer in her spare time and GRC costume rep this year.

Tori is going into her third year as a Drama student at Hull and is the other half of the costume rep team for the Green Room Committee this year. In her spare time she’s involved in cosplaying her favourite characters and has quite a substantial following on Tik Tok.

Q – What got you into cosplay, what do you enjoy about it?

A – I got into cosplay coming up to five years ago, Ive always been into I guess more ‘geeky’ stuff. Then I found Tumblr and on Tumblr I discovered the anime community and there were people there dressing up as these characters i’d always loved and I thought I could get on with that. So I did. I went on Ebay bought my first costume and my first wig. That was kind of it from there. I like it because I mean it has opened me up to a whole new community I’ve made so many friends through doing it. Its a really good confidence builder, i’m a person who suffers with anxiety but when Im these characters I don’t because i’m them and they don’t have anxiety.

Q – Where do you draw your inspiration from?

A – Mostly from anime, but also from social media, my friends, Pinterest is a really good one for getting inspiration. But mostly social media to be honest I follow an interact with a lot of other cosplayers so i get ideas from them really. Tik Tok is a big one as well.

Q – How has costume as a course helped you advance your own skills? 

A – It has definitely helped with my own cosplays because I can make stuff now. Which is cool because whenever there is sort of an extravagant cosplay that’s like really expensive I just think you know with a bit of effort I could make it myself for like £100 cheaper. Ive also found I can make alterations on my own stuff which Ive never been able to do before. So thats a new thing for me

Q – What specific skills can you apply from cosplay to costume?

A – So definetly the sort of basics of costume where its mostly buttons and seams and patching things up. Because if youre at a convention those things really come in handy. If you rip a seam while you’re out it can ruin the whole day. So its important to be able to be able to just nip to the bathroom and sew it back up. It really comes in handy.

Q – What do you want to bring to your role as costume rep?

A – The most important thing for me is getting people involved in costume who maybe haven’t done it before. I was quite lucky because I do have a background in sewing, a minor background but its still there. Its really important to me that people who feel intimidated by costume that they feel comfortable to see what its about. Its important to me to make it quite a diverse work space as well because, it can quite crammed in the costume room, there are bright lights, it gets hot and loud and for someone who is maybe neurodivergent, or lives with autism that can be quite a daunting environment so it would be important to ensure workshops and sessions are accessible for everyone.

Q – What would be your dream show to costume?

A – Something like historical like Hamilton or Hadestown would be a big one because I think costumes in Hadestown are amazing like Persephone if I could make that dress that would be the dream.

Katie – Online small business owner embroidering jumpers, hats and more.

Katie is going into her second year of Drama at Hull, During lockdown Katie has used her skill in costume to set up her own online business on Instagram and Depop as @vintage_remix.

Q – How have you kept productive and found inspiration whilst working from home? 

A – Well its really hard to stay motivated because being at home there are so many distractions. Sometimes I just don’t wanna do anything but you have to just remember why you started doing it. when I first started and I got my first order I was so happy with myself so thinking back to that helps cause I remember why I love it. There’s a whole embroidery community on Instagram. I’m on group chat’s with them and I speak to them all quite frequently its really nice. so yeah I draw inspiration from them and because I make custom pieces I like to let the customer tell me exactly what they want.

Q – How have you found getting along with the online community and working in the industry? 

A – Sometimes it can be hard because I make custom pieces people come to me with a vision in their head of what they want and they want exactly that. If I cant replicate that it can be quite hard to communicate with them because it might take a while to work on something so its exactly right. But most of the time its great! its nice to see the feedback online cause its immediate it feels really good. Community wise its been great a girl messaged me and asked me if I wanted to be a part of this group chat to create more of a community. Because we are in such weird times its nice to share interests with other people. A lot of them are just starting out because they’ve created this hobby through lockdown like me so its like we are going on a journey together.

Q – During lockdown how have you found communicating online. How has it helped and benefited you? with ads and reaching customers?

A – Without the internet I would probably just be making jumpers for my mum and my nan. The internet is a god send for small businesses because without it I wouldn’t be able to make so many order or make a name for myself. Its Instagram, I started off on Depop but when I decided I wanted to take it further I set up the Instagram account and it kind of blew up quite a bit I got a surge of orders. Im coming up over 2000 followers and over 130 orders and I started late April its all down to the internet. Because I couldn’t work I had to find a source of alternative income and its something I really enjoy doing.

Q – What pushed you to start your own online business and what are the benefits of this as a student?

A – I’ve always been quite controlling and independent so it was something Ive always wanted to do, I wanted to run something on my own. Because Ive always been creative Im not really academically inclined its always something I wanted to do and when we went into lockdown it was a blessing in disguise because if that never happened I would have never set up this business because I don’t have time. As a student its really beneficial because its giving me a head start before Ive left uni to go into the world. Im already working in the community at my own pace. To say to an employer ‘I ran my own business on my own at 19″ is something I think is impressive.

Q – How do you think costume as a course has helped advance your own skills?

A – Its helped me communicate with clients because we are taught in costume how to make models and actors comfortable and ensure they are getting a good experience. Its taught me the basic skills that I need to know to produce the work. Ive been putting into practice the skills that I have learnt from them and hopefully in the future I’ll be putting even more of those skills that Ive learnt into new products that I want to launch soon like re worked items. But yeah really beneficial if I hadn’t of done this course I wouldn’t know where to start.

Q – What would be your dream show to costume?

A – Les Miserables, 100% its my favourite musical of all time, Ive seen it so many times, Ive been in it and to costume it would be a dream come true.

We hope that this interview style blog post is interesting and helpful to anyone, we always take suggestions of anything we could do better @hullgrapevine on Instagram and twitter.

BIG THANK YOU to Connie Kenyon, Tori Tayler and Katie Hamilton-Cooke!

Hey!

Theatre has always been a way of exploring different ways of life and the experiences that people go through, whether it be believable or not, its one of the most popular ways of entertainment. It’s a mirror to society, a chance to step into someone else’s shoes for a while. I love it, I mean, I chose to be part of that community since I was very young, when I played ‘Michelle TV’ in a very bad production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Yes, they changed the name, and I smashed the illusion of me being sucked into a TV by just sticking a cardboard box on my head and having the whole audience laugh at me. 

Anyway, even though it’s the end of Pride month, my focus for this blog is to explore the ladder in which the LGBTQ+ community has had to climb, to finally get accepted within theatre. I am so glad that we celebrate pride, however, it is unfortunate that pride is something fairly recent, and that the LGBT+ community were not accepted a long time beforehand. They should have been accepted from the start. I hope everyone feels that way, and if you don’t, maybe you should go and educate yourself. 

For the majority of history, society has discriminated against the LGBTQ+ community, preventing them from the rights that everyone else has. Prior to the Gay Rights Movement, homosexual people suffered harassment, persecution, and much more awful and unacceptable things. Since the early 1950’s the theatre has worked hard to bring attention to the issues related to the LGBTQ+ community. However, prior to the 1950’s, plays that represented anyone within this community, were seen as a very big issue. They were unaccepted and society did not like them being in the spotlight.

In 1926, The Captive, was one of the first plays to portray a lesbian relationship on Broadway. This sparked many controversial comments and prompted New York to develop new laws about obscenity. The Drag in 1927, which portrayed a character who crossed-dressed, was shut down on charges of indecency. 

In the late 1960’s, activists made a case for gay visibility and protection. They wanted to change the policies related to homosexuality and help everyone to be accepted no matter what their sexual orientation. They protested for fair and equal rights and were not going to give up until they got what they deserved. 

Deputed in 1968, The Boys in the Band by Mart Crowley was one of the first plays to place homosexuality as the central point of the plot. It made the struggle of being gay much more visible and brought it into the limelight, as it should have been. People needed to understand this movement, it was crucial to society. This play was also an empowering factor in inspiring the Stone Wall Riots, a stimulus for radicalising the Gay Rights Movement and a turning point in changing legal policies. 

Through the 1970’s, more theatre representing the LGBTQ+ community emerged. The Other Side of Silence was the first professional LGTBTQ+ theatre company to form in 1974. This was a perfect way to celebrate and inform their hope for acceptance, and by 1979, there were over 150 professional LGBTQ+ theatre companies. 

Unfortunately, during the 1980’s, the first cases of AIDS were discovered. The LGBTQ+ population were blamed for spreading the illness and because of this, the public tried to deny the impact of the epidemic. Throughout the decade, most of the theatre productions created by and for homosexual people, revolved around the issues related to AIDS. The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer premiered in 1985. It addresses the public indifference to the AIDS epidemic by telling the story of one homosexual activist and their attempts to make the world realise the toll that AIDS was taking. 

By the 1990’s, the Gay Rights movement began to receive a lot more support. Organisations were made and began to operate all over the country. People of the LGBTQ+ community were finally feeling acceptance and acts of homophobia began to be regarded as a hate crime. LGBTQ+ theatre advanced a lot in these years, allowing people to share their struggles and experiences. It was about time to!

In todays society, it is celebrated to have pride in who you are, no matter your sexuality. Theatre has learned to completely embrace this, turning it into beautiful, emotional, and inspirational pieces of art. The LGBTQ+ community has had to fight for their rights and acceptance, and I am so glad that we celebrate this today! 

Here are a few websites that I found if you would like to learn more! 

This article shows you the top 10 plays that have shaped LGBTQ+ theatre history. There is so many amazing plays/musicals that beautifully capture the community, however, it is so interesting to hear everyone’s stories, especially the ones that made a change in the real world.

https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/10-plays-that-have-shaped-lgbtq-theatre-history-a3879486.html

This is a discussion with the National Theatre’s casting assistant, Jacob Sparrow. He talks about the inclusivity for young LGBTQ+ actors in todays society. I recommend reading this as its filled with his experience within the industry and also gives you some advice!

https://www.spotlight.com/news-and-advice/interviews-podcasts/diversity-in-theatre-casting-lgbt-inclusivity-in-the-arts/

To celebrate Pride, the national theatre will be sharing a series of rehearsed readings, exhibitions, talks and screenings between the 6^th and 14^th of July. I totally recommend looking at these, as there are quite a few people you may recognise! They also have a rehearsed reading of The Drag, which was mentioned earlier in the blog!

https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/queer-theatre

If you would like to donate and help to continue the celebration of Pride, here are some links to some amazing charities!

https://www.akt.org.uk/ – ‘We support young people into safe homes and employment, education or training, in a welcoming and open environment that celebrates lgbtq+ identities’.

https://microrainbow.org/ – ‘Micro Rainbow’s vision is to create a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people are free from discrimination, persecution and have equal opportunities in life, including in accessing employment, training, education, financial services, healthcare, housing, places of faith, and public services’.

https://www.galop.org.uk/ – ‘We support lesbian, gay bisexual and trans people experiencing hate crime, domestic abuse or sexual violence’.

http://elop.org/ – ‘We are a holistic lesbian and gay centre that offers a range of social, emotional and support services to LGBT communities, and our core services include counselling and young people’s services. We can also offer training and consultancy for fellow professionals and those seeking to enhance their understanding of issues facing LGBTcommunities’.

Thank you so much for reading!

Rachel x

The Green Room Committee stands with the Black Lives Matter movement. We are committed to continue to learn, listen and uplift Black voices. In this blog post we have compiled some resources that we think are helpful for those who want to be more informed and help in any and every way they can. The following information includes petitions to sign, places to donate and further reading and research into the movement. We know that activism should be more than solidarity. We should all be actively learning and using our voice to make a stand always not just now, not just this week, always looking for ways to help and use our voices. During lockdown we have all been reliant on the arts to keep us entertained its been essential in helping us stay positive during the last few months and it always will. Because of its importance in all our lives its essential to listen and support Black led arts. We have linked a few below and if you know of any more that should be included please let us know. Some of these companies also rely on donations so if you can please donate. This is a tiny fraction of the resources available and we hope that the following information is useful and can act as a starting point to learn and support.

The official website for the Black Lives Matter movement, all the important information that you need

https://blacklivesmatter.com/

An anti-racist reading list – Written by Layla F Saad

https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2020/jun/03/do-the-work-an-anti-racist-reading-list-layla-f-saad

This Google document compiles together important petitions, ways to donate, things to read

https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1-0KC83vYfVQ-2freQveH43PWxuab2uWDEGolzrNoIks/mobilebasic

*please note we did not create this, if you know who created this document please let us know so we can credit them

You can donate without spending a penny by watching this video by Zoe Amira @zoe.amira on Instagram

*make sure you don’t skip any of the ads as thats where the revenue comes from

Instagram accounts that inform and educate

@gurlstalk – founded by Adowa Aboah and Holly Gore, ‘A safe space to share and listen without judgement or stigma’

@privtoprog – Privilege to Progress, Founded by @michellesaahene and @thewildsister ‘Official IG for the Show up movement, Desegregating the race convo since ’18’

@eji_org – Equal Justice Initiative, ‘We work to end mass incarceration, excessive punishment and racial inequality led by Bryan Stevenson’

@ukblackpride – ‘Celebrating LGBTQIA people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, Latin American descent and their friends, lovers and families.’

@galdemzine – ‘award winning online and print publication committed to sharing perspectives from women and non binary people of colour’

@theblackcurriculum – ‘We teach Black British History in schools and out of schools to young people around the UK – all year round using a range of art forms’

Brilliant Black-owned businesses to buy from in the UK – by @emames7

Black led theatre companies and resources in the UK

Talawa – ‘The UK’s primary Black led touring theatre company. Our work is informed by the wealth and diversity of the Black British experience, and through that we create outstanding work by cultivating the best in emerging and established Black artists ‘ – http://www.talawa.com/about/our-story/

Eclipse theatre – ‘One of our current missions is to create new work using the insights and experiences of Black British people of African and Caribbean backgrounds and those of us who are also marginalised for out race. Sharing enriching, thought-provoking stories that reflect out nation‘ – https://eclipsetheatre.org.uk/about/who-are-eclipse

Black Theatre Matters – ‘a program of Plowshares Theatre Company. Black Theatre Matters covers trending topics in the theatre featuring experts across art form. It is designed to be a liberal arts resource dedicated to supporting, documenting and celebrating the achievements of Black theatre artists throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom’ – https://blacktheatrematters.org/about/

Plowshares Theatre Company (US) – ‘Today, Plowshares Theatre Company is recognized as Michigan’s only professional African American theatre company. Plowshares is an urban theatre with a distinctly Detroit style. The name of the theatre company is synonymous with its mission: Plowshares is dedicated to “breaking new ground” by nurturing emerging talent, offering inspiring opportunities for growth to local artists and presenting new plays that explore new perspectives’ – https://www.plowsharestheatre.org/about-us/

We know that it’s not enough to just donate and sign petitions. For those of us in places of privilege we should be learning and making commitments to support and listen. This is just the start of a lifetime of changes. Black Lives Matter.

I’m sure it felt as bizarre to some of you as it did to me, to not be heading back to university after the Easter holidays. I won’t lie, I did take a break over Easter, but because I’m stuck in the same environment everyday I’m struggling to get back into the mindset of essays and deadlines, on top of everything that is going on currently. Indeed, morale may be low as we approach our fifth week of lockdown, but I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you all of how well we have adapted to these circumstances.

We aren’t all in the same boat. Some of us are with our families, some of us are still having to work, some of us live alone, but something that is certain is that we will all get through this. As well as having one another’s support, we have the support of our department, who have been nothing next to amazing, providing us with extra support and access to software that will allow us to continue our studies. The committee’s online programme of events, including the quizzes, these blog posts, and the acting gyms, have been received well and for that we are so grateful. We are even more grateful to have had the support of external companies such as our Artists in Residence, The Roaring Girls, on board for Q&As and supervision.

University is hard and, as we have come to learn, even more difficult to navigate during a global pandemic. It may be ‘term time’, but that doesn’t mean we have to continue putting excessive pressure on ourselves. Our secretary, Zoe, has more to say:

“The last few weeks has been really tough for everyone but as a department we have come together to carry on celebrating the work we do and the theatre makers we are. However this has not been easy, in light of that we have come back from the 2 week Easter break to start the final part of the Uni year, this does not mean though that you should put excessive pressure on yourself to perform, the stress simply isn’t worth it. Yes, absolutely do your best, that is all anyone can ask of you. But we are also in the middle of a global pandemic, so if doing your best is getting out of bed then that is absolutely fine. Nevertheless we will continue as a department together in supporting one another as best we can, if there is anything additionally as a GRC we can do for you please let us know and continue to share all of your amazing ideas!”

Online lectures also mean online elections for next year’s committee. Compared to previous year’s elections, this has been a mammoth task to coordinate, so it’s important that you vote! Make sure that you take time tomorrow (Friday 24^th, 12pm!) to watch all video speeches and consider who you want to represent you on next year’s committee. Voting is only open to students of the drama department, but even then there is over 100 of you, so make sure you spread the word about voting to ensure that the committee remains to be representative of all students in the department. Our president, Luke, has more to say:

“So as the current GRC’s time comes to an end, I just want to stress the importance of voting for your GRC Reps, these people who you elect will work tirelessly in order to produce the best results for the department and by voting you are able to take control of what goes on! The GRC is about the students being able to have a voice about what goes on in their department and what opportunities we are able to create for ourselves so remember to vote on Friday.”

So, to summarise, make sure you vote and continue to look after yourselves! For those edging to watch theatre from home, companies are continuing to make their shows digitally available. This week, graduate company, Middle Child, have uploaded Us Against Whatever (2019) to their YouTube channel, alongside National Theatre Live, who continue to stream a play a week via their YouTube channel. Last week we were treated to Treasure Island (2015) which is available until 7pm on Thursday 23^rd April, after which Twelfth Night (2017) will be streamed and available to view for a week. And for those who love a musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber recently announced his YouTube channel, ‘The Shows Must Go On’, where uploads are every Friday at 7pm and available for viewing for 48 hours. On the 24^th April, Love Never Dies (2012), the sequel to Webber’s renowned, The Phantom of the Opera, will be available for viewing.

Middle Child: Us Against Whatever – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIibsi9cZPM

NT Live: Treasure Island – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwNvC8sFTEU

NT Live: Twelfth Night – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aig5ObghHS4

Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Shows Must Go On – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdmPjhKMaXNNeCr1FjuMvag/featured

Whilst these performances are up for a limited time only, our blog posts are up forever. Please feel free to look back on previous posts if you need reminders about motivation, managing your time effectively, and remaining optimistic throughout lockdown. Remember to vote tomorrow, and to continue looking out for each other as we have done for the past 5 weeks.

23rd April 2020

Whoever thought it would be possible to watch live performances from anywhere in the country? Of course, this is a service that companies like the National Theatre are used to providing, with NT Live having launched in 2009 and amassed audiences of over 1 million. So, with the current pandemic shutting down our beloved theatres, it only seemed natural to move everything online, right? Now a month after theatres and live entertainment venues were advised to shut their doors, we thespians are blessed to have access to platforms such as Youtube where companies and producers are providing us with free theatre! This week’s blog features recommendations and short reviews from members of our committee who have watched online performances, from international names such as Andrew Lloyd Webber to companies and producers closer to home. We hope you enjoy and let us know via our social media if you decide to watch anything!

National Theatre at Home: Jane Eyre

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mO0CXV0zEAQ

‘If you are looking for some amazing theatre to bring a different type of entertainment to your lockdown days then look no further than National Theatre at home. Each week they release a full length showing of one of their live plays and in the week building up to this release, post videos of the work that went in to making this. This week’s production was Jane Eyre and if you like good theatre then this is the show for you. I first saw the show when it toured the country a few years ago and I have to admit, I was sceptical about how well they could transition from the book to the stage without there being a playscript made but this doubt was quickly diminished. The main thing that I had such raving reviews about the first time I saw it was the use of set. The use of a bare wooden stage with ladders ramps created the impression of a climbing frame and allowed the set to become the actor’s playground and created some great moments of interaction between the actors and the set. When I watched it again for the second time, knowing more about what makes good theatre, I was enthralled the music, ensemble, lighting and costume. Throughout the production the cast are so in tune with one another’s movements and the ensemble work feels like a machine with the regularity and precision of the movements. If you are interested in theatre, this is definitely one to watch as there are so many different elements that make this production incredible.’ – Chloe, Construction Rep.

Middle Child: All We Ever Wanted Was Everything

‘If gig theatre is your thing, then look no further – Middle Child’s All We Ever Wanted Was Everything (2017) combines music, storytelling, and our beloved city, Hull, in a powerful performance concerning loss, class struggle and wanting the unattainable. The streamed performance, recorded at The Welly Club (familiar to us all, I’m sure) in June 2017 before the company’s sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, gives way to a new cohort of theatre-goers, that is, people who don’t usually go to the theatre. The club’s relaxed atmosphere immerses the audience in the piece, metaphorically and physically, with the action taking place both on the outskirts of the performance space with the audience in the middle, vice versa and, at times, through the audience. The transitional use of metal set pieces pays homage to Hull’s industrial history, complimented by effective lighting design. The performance combines comedic moments with integral perceptions of the future, such as Chris’s ‘dream wall’, which I interpreted as the physical manifestation of our visions for the future. A stand-out quote, for me, goes “Maybe in a sea of pollution, she’s a pearl,” which encourages us to search for the positives amongst negatives, the light within the darkness. Without giving too much away, the performance doesn’t necessarily end happily, but it still serves as an important reminder to live in the moment and appreciate what we have, which I think is extremely important in the current climate. I was touched by this performance and recommend you all to watch it before 17^th April when it will be gone!’ – Cerys, Communications Rep.

Phil Kaye

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=phil+kaye

‘Hey! For anyone finding themselves a little lost or scared, unmotivated or just generally needing a bit of a cry (and lets face it, we’re all of the above) then my recommendation is all about my favourite poet, Phil Kaye. A lot of his work can be found on YouTube by simply typing his name. He’s the author of my favourite poem ‘Beginning, Middle and End’ and other heartbreakingly life-affirming poems such as ‘Repetition’, ‘Unalienable’ and ‘Camaro’. His poems are bittersweet and gentle, how he can make you dance with metaphors until the music stops and suddenly it’s just you and the truth you never saw before waiting for the next song to begin so you don’t have to say hello. His voice honestly has some of the most calming qualities a voice can have. I truly admire both him and his work, his ability to tell stories in such a visceral, yet approachable and accessible way is stunning. It’s not a stretch to say I wouldn’t be a poet without him and his work. So, I hope you find something you need within his performances, be it a cry or a few minutes of calm!’ – Alex, Tech Rep.

Breach Theatre: It’s True, It’s True, It’s True

Breach Theatre’s acclaimed ‘It’s True, It’s True, It’s True: Artemisia on Trial’ is based on original court transcripts, centered around the 1612 trial of Agostino Tassi for the rape of painter, Artemisia Gentileschi. There are only three actresses in the piece, who interchange roles throughout the dramatization, which received rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Summer 2019. The performance combines myth, history and ‘contemporary commentary’ to question and, draw attention to, what has changed between the 17^th century and the present. Artemisia’s account of her violation is truly harrowing and yet, a stunning performance by Ellice Stevens. The piece was produced by Ellie Claughton, a Hull-based producer, and supported by New Diorama Theatre. Please note that this performance contains nudity and sexual violence.

‘I would argue that it’s very feminist in its core, and it’s a fantastic watch!’ – Luke, President.

14^th April 2020

Happy Easter, wait, Easter?!

That’s right, it’s the Easter holidays! Hard to believe, I know, I’ve reached that point where I’m relying on my iPhone to tell me what day it is because I’ll be honest, otherwise I’d have no idea. However, this won’t feel like a holiday to most of us, as for the past 3 weeks we’ve been – yes, you guessed it – stuck indoors. I’m a workaholic at the best of times, so allowing myself breaks is hard, but even when I’m at home I can’t seem to think of anything more worth my time than to do my work. If we don’t count the food or exercise breaks, that’s all I’ve been doing for the past 3 weeks.

And it’s draining.

I think being motivated to do your work is fantastic. But I know that I’ve been focusing on my work as a way to deal with the stress and uncertainty of the outside world. I’m not surprised, often when things go wrong and beyond my control, I turn to something that I can control and put all my energy into it. I’m not afraid to admit that I love learning and academia, but this how you accidently build a toxic relationship with the things you love doing.

So I need to take a break – pronto – and you should too! But how does one take a break?

I ask myself this all the time. As I’ve said before, doing work is often my escape, and everyone around me sees that. “Cerys, you should really take a break,” or “Cerys, why don’t you relax for once?” are sentences said to me on a regular basis, but the truth is that I find it really hard to relax because I have to actively be doing something. I can quite easily binge a Netflix series in a day (I highly recommend Sex Education), but whilst I do that, I’ll be making lectures notes or filling out a document for, you guessed it, uni. So, the first thing I did when I decided I was going to take a proper break was wipe everything from my to-do list, put it away, and do my best to forget about it. Easier said than done, of course, but if we can’t see things they don’t exist, right?

Now a ‘holiday’ spent in lockdown doesn’t sound entirely appealing, but there are plenty of enjoyable things to do that will enable us to relax, have fun, and cast our minds away from deadlines. I’m sure most of us complain about not having enough free time to explore hobbies and other projects whilst we’re are university, so allow yourself to do this during the Easter break. Perhaps you want to write a HUDDEE to be performed next semester or, on a smaller scale, write your own material to be performed at an Events Night? There may be an area of theatre that you’re interested in that isn’t on your syllabus – read about it! I know this may counteract what I’ve just said about relaxing, but you know your limits and what constitutes ‘work’ for one may present itself as ‘fun’ for another. We have plenty of time to exercise our creative abilities, so why not utilise it?

As a joint-student studying English alongside Drama, it’s no question that I enjoy reading. I always ask for books as gifts, but never allow myself time to read them because *shock* I always find a piece of work to do. But this Easter I’m going to make sure that I make time to read my choice books, which are The Tattooist of Auschwitz, To Kill A Mockingbird, and Little Women. Again, it’s not an assignment, but it’s still going to reassure me that I’m actively doing something.

Now for those who find it very easy to relax, or just to ignore their assignments (I envy you all), I’d highly recommend Netflix. With thousands of films and television series of all genres you’re spoilt for choice. I’ve no doubt that most of you are seasoned Netflix-watchers and have probably been binging it for the past three weeks already. Often though, people limit themselves to a certain series, a genre of film, and don’t look beyond their little bubble to see what else is out there. Recently, I’ve found that there are some fantastic documentary series’ being uploaded to the site, such as Babies, 100 Humans, and Tiger King (Carol deffo fed her husband to the tigers, let’s be real). Documentaries like this combine the scientific and cultural with entertainment, allow us to learn without even realising it. And with platforms like Zoom accessible to all of us, you can even have Netflix parties with your pals, despite being hundreds of miles away from each other.

Ironically, I find going to the gym to be relaxing. A lot of people are surprised when I say this, but this is the only time I really have a break from work. Obviously with all fitness facilities closed for the foreseeable future this makes my hobby difficult, but thankfully we’re still permitted one form of outdoor exercise a day by the government, so I’m taking advantage of this. This time last year I took up running and I worked my way up to smashing 8-10km twice a week, so when I went for a run last week and couldn’t manage 2.5km without thinking my lungs would collapse, I felt a bit of a failure. I’m a perfectionist, so realising that my stamina wasn’t what it used to be did hurt, but I soon realised that I can use my free time to work on this and get back to where I used to be.

Not everything requires a goal, but putting targets in place and, even better, achieving them, can be super beneficial for our personal development and wellbeing. Not everyone will want to, or be able to, take up exercise, but I’d really recommend it. It increases the level of endorphins in our bodies, which are essentially ‘happy hormones’ i.e. their increase aids the release of stress and tension. You don’t have to run a marathon a day or cycle 100 miles, exercise can be as simple as going for a walk or putting your favourite tunes on and having a boogie in your room.

This takes me to my final point – consistency. Last week’s post focused on maintaining a routine and how beneficial this will be for our wellbeing, and I’m going to repeat this again. I’m not going to tell you all to be consistent in your relaxation time, e.g. you have to watch Netflix at this time every day, but rather to be consistent in maintaining your wellbeing. Consistently aim for a good night’s sleep, consistently maintain your personal hygiene and consistently allow yourself time to consolidate your emotions. Eat regular meals, call your friends, pet your dog, give your housemates and family members hugs. Focus your time on the people who matter, and who are supporting you during this turbulent time. And support each other, whether that be in person or on the phone.  So with all that said, I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful Easter break – we’ve worked for it! Students, make sure to #getinvolved in our online events that are posted on the student page!

– Cerys

7^th April 2020

Living at home with no commitments to the outside world, sounds like bliss – right?

Well if you’re anything like me, that is your worst nightmare.

As all those in the department know, I’m always around on campus. Whether that be at work, in the Gulbenkian, or at the gym, I’m never in my house other than for eating and sleeping! So of course, all this isolation and lockdown malarkey has caused me some stress like I’m sure it has for you. It’s important to remember though that whilst we may be stuck at indoors, we can still maintain a routine. In fact, in times like this it’s even more important to have structure amidst the chaos of the outside world. In turn, we’re privileged in that we have access to online learning such as Zoom, as well as technology to stay in contact with one another. This week’s blog will entail some helpful tips on

No face-to-face uni means sleeping all day and ignoring all your uni work, right? Erm, no!

It’s important to remember that whilst we don’t have to leave our houses for the foreseeable future, we’re still university students and should treat our degrees with the same importance as we would do if we were actually in uni. This means turning up to lectures on time, being prepared with the correct equipment (e.g. pen and paper, earphones) and getting rid of distractions! Just as you wouldn’t in a normal lecture (even though I know we’re all guilty) you shouldn’t be scrolling through social media. Now more than ever we need to take advantage of the precious time we have with our lecturers and use it to learn, so we can get the best grades possible despite the circumstances.

This comes on to my next point, which is that even though most of us are with our families we need to make clear that we’re still learning, so no interruptions during classes! I make sure that I tell my parents if I have a class or a meeting and not to interrupt me, as well as making sure that I’m in a room by myself so myself and others aren’t distracted.

With regards to keeping on top of university work, which I’m sure is piling up due to the change of practical to written assessments, it’s important to hold ourselves accountable and ensure that we’re keeping ourselves up to date. I’ve done this by making a to-do list of everything I would like to do during this period, incorporating academic stuff like university work, as well as lifestyle things like applying for summer jobs. What with staying indoors for most of the foreseeable future, there’s no reason why I can’t get all of this done!

Having structure is super important, so I’d recommend that on the days that you would physically be at university you follow a similar routine. It’s very easy when staying at home for your normal routine to go out of whack, so what I’m trying to do is go to sleep at a regular time every night, as well as waking up at a regular time every morning. Even after a week of staying at home, I’ve noticed the quality of my sleep improve, and I feel loads more energised throughout the day. Sleep is integral to maintaining good physical and mental health, so make sure you treat it as a priority and value it!

It’s nice to have a sense of normality, so if you’d normally be at university, I’d recommend doing all the usual things that you perhaps wouldn’t do at home to prepare yourself for the day. Of course, you don’t have to do this, but I’ve found that getting properly dressed, doing my hair, and putting some makeup on like I usually would sets me up for a day of work. It may seem like a waste of time to some, but I find doing this to be very therapeutic, as well as allowing me time to think about what I want to do that day.

We’re not machines, so just because we’re home all day doesn’t mean we have to do work constantly. It’s important to allow ourselves breaks for meals, as well as social time, as difficult as that may be at the moment. We’re very privileged to live in an era where technology is easily accessible, and we can contact friends who may be hundreds of miles away with a click of a button. That being said, I think it’s important that we don’t get too wrapped off in social media and screen time. A lot of people have noted that social media and constant news updates have fuelled their anxieties surrounding the pandemic more, so if you think you’re one of these people then I would recommended lessening the time you spend on social media platforms. You can still keep in touch with your friends by texting, facetiming or calling, as opposed to snapchatting, instagramming, or tweeting!

Face-to-face contact is vital in times like the present to ensure that we feel physically connected – facetime seems to be a lot of people’s go to, but if you’re fortunate enough to be in lockdown with others in your house, you can actually socialise face-to-face! It’s all too easy to message members of your family, your siblings, etc, from a different room, but gracing your loved ones with your physical presence will no doubt make you feel less alone.

Recent government guidelines (as of March 28^th) have confirmed that if members of a household are not isolating due to coronavirus symptoms, they are permitted one form of outdoor exercise a day. You can do this alone if you want, or you can go outside with members of your household (which a lot of people don’t realise). I’m lucky enough to live in a town that has a beach, as well as lots of parks and woodland scenery, so I’ve been taking full advantage of this by going on daily walks. As this is limited, I’ve found myself appreciating my hometown and its scenery a lot more, and really valuing the time I’m allowed outside.

I hope that’s given you all some decent tips on maintaining structure during lockdown! I’ll be back next week with another wellbeing post.

Cerys

31^st March 2020

Well…this is an odd situation, isn’t it?

Last week we were confronted with the news that the university were closing, with all teaching suspended for the remainder of Trimester 2. Of course, some students were delighted, but I’m sure I can speak for most of us drama students when I say that I’m gutted. Although the likelihood of us returning to start the next academic year in September is high, this isn’t how our university experience is supposed to be, and it’s saddening that we’re having to deal with this.

As drama students, theatre makers, and creatives, socialising is a big part of our lives. I know all too well about spending 8-10 hours of my day at university running between different buildings, socialising with you lovely folk and creating some amazing theatre, so being confronted with sudden social distancing has left me feeling uncertain. I’m 20 years old, I’ve moved out, I’m constantly busy and I always get my 10,000 steps a day in (thanks Fitbit), and now I’m moving back home having lost the structure and stability that comes with my social life, my degree, and my job.

I could cry, actually, scrap that – I did cry. And that’s my first point: it’s completely valid to be upset. Nobody really understands what is going on and we’re all experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions as more news pours in every day. The way in which we express our emotions is individual to us, so if you want to laugh, cry, shout, go ahead, whatever helps you out.

Another important thing to remember – all of this is temporary. Teaching has been suspended until the 7^th June, which is 11 weeks away. Everyone in the UK has been advised to socially distance and keep leaving the house to a bare minimum for the foreseeable future – most sources suggest this will last for 12 weeks. This suggests that after this probation period, life as we have known it up until this point may begin to return to normal. This leaves us with another 6 months to enjoy the year and what it has in store for us. The other day my mother posted something on her Facebook feed, and I think she sums it up perfectly:

‘These are troubling times for all, for many reasons, but please, please try and focus on the positives…think of how amazing coming out of isolation will be, seeing loved ones again, a massive party, a visit to the theatre, that holiday where you will enjoy the sun and sea again one day. Whatever it is that you are missing the most concentrate on keeping yourself and others safe so you can make the best of it when the world returns to normal. Put your energies into seeing the positives, making the best out of your present situation whatever that may be, although we are facing a crisis if we use the sense and skills we were born with we’ll make it through these dark times…together, with respect, and with love.’

Each and every one of us is capable of making the best out of present situations, and with the use of social media, we are more in touch with each other than we realise. We’re privileged in that we have access to social media, to keep in contact with friends and family whether that be through messages or facetime, so we should utilise it to its full effect. If you don’t want to feel pressured to use social media, then channel your energy and spare time into something else, something that you haven’t done for a while. Since starting university I’ve had very little time to read for pleasure, so this is how I will be using my spare time. Interests like reading and painting allow us to exercise our brains and have also been proven to be therapeutic. Whatever floats your boat, whatever helps you and allows you to remain safe, then do it.

I’ll be back next week with some tips on maintaining a routine and managing online lectures. But for now, stay safe, look after yourselves and your loved ones and keep yourselves occupied.

– Cerys

24^th March 2020