Today is my birthday. Being born close to the end of the calendar year has its perks, like allowing me to reflect on both my personal experiences throughout the year since my last digit change and the overall events of the natural year. I must say, it’s been a good one – the first remarkable year in what has been, so far, a challenging decade. I’m talking about personal and professional development. This year, I have been busy. I’ve travelled quite a lot and facilitated on three different continents and both of the Earth’s hemispheres.
But my extensive travels didn’t have to be abroad. As an applied theatre facilitator, and thanks to my work with Freshwater Theatre, I’ve been in dozens of corners of London and beyond (as far as Dover) to bring stories, shows and theatricalised workshops to thousands of children across many, many, many schools. I also had the opportunity (thanks Nik) to work (and learned) on many Demonstrate projects at Brixton House, supporting young SEND artists so they can express themselves.
As a Playback Theatre practitioner, this year will always be memorable. I finished my leadership training in the United States while sharing endearing experiences. I conducted a few times with London Playback and witnessed the resurgence of a fresh True Heart Theatre. Once again, I was in the Iberian Playback Theatre Gathering organising committee, this time in Barcelona. And I attended, with my fellow IPTN board mates, to the International Playback Theatre Conference in South Africa, where I met and make connections with remarkable human beings.
As an improviser, once more, it has been a fantastic year of learning. I attended and performed at two wonderful improv festivals in Nottingham and Dublin. I treasure every show I did on Hoopla with my house teammates of Shuffle. This year, though, has two notable highlights. Firstly, I’m very grateful to Improv Utopia for entrusting me to facilitate during the first ever two editions of their Spanish retreat. This opportunity also allowed me to introduce El Workshoppo to the IU West camp in California. Secondly, a significant highlight revolves around my main improvisational goal upon arriving in London—becoming a confident musical improviser. I’ve been doing a few musical improv since, but this year, on joining Acaprov, I endured and grew my confidence thanks to its discipline and hard work. I have to thank Lisa Lynn for inviting me in.
This was also the year when I got in contact with my, neglected for many years, clown. I joined several of Marny Godden’s workshops, and it reminded me of why clowning is so precious. I was very useful for my work indeed.
And on a personal level, I’m grateful to keep enjoying the company of my partner and my cats. Oh, and I’ve lost some weight despite constantly feeding my inner nerd with horror, sci-fi and video games.
Again, I want to appreciate all the people who have supported me this year and the new people I’ve met with whom I shared moments of connection. All my love to you.
I don’t know how my next year will be, but I’m looking forward to it.