Emma

 

Emma is the Artistic Director of Say So. Emma graduated from the University of Kent with a First Class Masters Degree in Drama and Theatre Studies in 2011. Her initial interest in becoming a drama facilitator stemmed from her passion for theatre and her interest in working with people of all ages and abilities.

Whilst studying for her Masters, Emma travelled to America to work with Chicago Children’s Theatre, teaching drama to underprivileged children in the inner city. On her return to Canterbury she worked on a number of projects with children and adults with learning disabilities and behavioural difficulties.

After graduating, Emma worked on a project funded by the AHRC called ‘Imagining Autism’ which involved creating imaginative and immersive worlds for children with autism. Soon after, Emma became a workshop leader in Dorset and in 2013, Artistic Director of Say So.

Since then Emma has run a number of creative workshops in a huge variety of community settings, from after school clubs to day services, Emma has developed a keen intuitive and patient manner which can be seen in her teaching. She is extremely passionate about her work being all inclusive and loves to work in a variety of different settings to ensure that creativity is accessible to all!

 

Darren

 

Darren has, by his own admission, been an actor all his life. He appeared on television a couple of times around 2009/10, as well as starring in various short independent films. He has acted in panto to over 50,000 kids over the years. He now loves nothing more than seeing the delight on the faces of students who have been inspired and encouraged to create their own performance and their own art.

Darren is a guitar and ukulele player, which gives his groups the opportunity to sing their own unique versions of their favourite songs. Darren is always adding to his music repertoire and his Makaton understanding and will leave no stone unturned in his quest to develop his students creativity and sense of fun and pride.