Facilitating & Directing: A collaborative approach to creating with kindness
A masterclass with Sameena Hussain and Jay Zorenti-Nakhid
These sessions will explore the role of Facilitation in Directing and the role of the Director when Facilitating! It will be a space to share practice and examine approaches to making work with kindness at the centre.
Over the two days we will play and explore through a number of practical exercises and discussions. We will be exploring how play can enable the building of an ensemble, connection and understanding.
Jay is a facilitator and director based in Bristol and is currently the RTYDS Resident Assistant Director at Tobacco Factory Theatres. Jay has worked in a wide variety of places around the UK and the world. He believes in creating space for unheard voices and counter-narratives across all of theatre’s hierarchies. He is passionate about collaboration and kindness underpinning every working process. Jay believes art, and specifically theatre, can be a defining catalyst in creating social change and there are two quotes that summarise Jay’s practice:
“Let the world change you and then you can change the world”
“Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it”
Jay’s previous directing credits include working in Rwanda on Let it Break at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre for Ubumuntu Arts Festival in 2019. Also in 2019, he directed Revealed at macbirmingham, and in 2018, he directed Arinze Kene’s Little Baby Jesus at the Birmingham REP. In that same year Jay was commissioned to create Echoes of the Estate for the Birmingham REP in partnership with the Welsh House Farm estate in Birmingham.
As part of his 18-month RTYDS residency at Tobacco Factory Theatres, Jay has assisted on two R&Ds for The Snow Queen (Tobacco Factory Theatres, New International Encounter & Cambridge Junction) including for the 2020 film of the same production. Jay also assisted on Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Tobacco Factory Theatres & Wiltshire Creative) and in 2019 he assisted on Snow White (Tobacco Factory Theatres, New International Encounter & Cambridge Junction). Prior to this, in 2017 Jay assisted Chris Sonnex on The Boys Project: The Undergrowth with The Royal Court.
Sameena is a theatre director based in West Yorkshire. She is currently the RTYDS Resident Assistant Director at Leeds Playhouse. She has worked with various theatres, arts organisations and communities over the years. Her work is rooted in community, play and endeavouring to remove barriers (both invisible and visible) which prevent people from engaging with theatre. Sameena is passionate about making theatre a safe & brave space, enabling dialogue and connection.
Sameena’s directing credits for Opera North/Leeds Playhouse include: Decades (2021) and La Voix Humaine (2020). As Associate Director for Lawrence Batley Theatre: A Christmas Carol (2020) and Henry V (2019). As Assistant Director for Leeds Playhouse: Dr Korczak’s Example, Night Before Christmas, There Are No Beginnings (2019-20) and Europe, Road and A Christmas Carol (2018).
OUR NEW MASTERCLASSES PROGRAMME
Sameena and Jay’s masterclass is part of an expanding programme at Tobacco Factory Theatres.
Our theatre owes so much to freelance and independent artists, who have created almost everything we’ve presented over the last 20 years. These exceptionally talented and professional colleagues have been confronted with huge challenges through Covid-19, whilst on the whole receiving far less support than venues.
Last year we partnered with The Cube Microplex to distribute hardship grants to local artists with acute financial difficulties, funded by The Gane Trust.
This year, whilst we continue to work on our long-term survival, we aim to support local artists in new and varied ways.
The first initiative is our Masterclasses Programme, designed for South West-based professional artists, and led by a range of inspiring practitioners.
- RUNNING TIMETwo 6 hour sessions
- AGE RECOMMENDATION18+
- VENUESpielman Theatre
Thu 26 & Fri 27 August 10am – 5pm both days (with 1 hour lunch break)
Please note that participants are invited to attend the workshop as two 6-hour sessions on consecutive days. The second day of the workshop will build on the first, but please get in touch with our box office team if you’re unable to attend both days.
Pay What You Choose – £5, £15 or £30. We understand that everyone is experiencing different financial circumstances. Whatever you feel able to spend, session leaders will be fully paid for their work.
Max 14 participants
Masterclasses are designed for South-West based professional artists.
Masterclasses are first available to book for our Artist Members, who receive a priority booking period of 2 days from Tue 01 June.
It is free to become an Artist Member, and you can do so by emailing an introduction of yourself, where you live and your practice to artists@tobaccofactorytheatres.com
If you require captioning or BSL interpretation of the sessions, or have any other access needs, please let us know.
