Developing A Safer Way of Working Part 1 with Alexandra Donnachie
What does it mean for an artist to tell their own personal story of trauma through dramatic performance? How do you protect yourself, mentally and emotionally, as you articulate your trauma to others?
Alexandra’s first play was an autobiographical piece which she performs with her younger sister, Kate Donnachie. The play (3 Years, 1 Week and a Lemon Drizzle) is an exploration of the effect Alex’s eating disorder had on the sisters’ otherwise very close relationship. They play was self-produced primarily for budgeting reasons and although it was very well-received when it toured across the UK, including a run at EdFringe 2018 (Underbelly), no safeguarding measures, which might now be seen as non-negotiables in a rehearsal room, were put in place and so the process of making and repeatedly performing the play unfortunately had a damaging effect on Alex especially.
In this session, Alex unpacks what she has since learnt from having the complete opposite experience when working on When We Died, which has numerous safeguarding measures in place for her, the wider creative team and, importantly, for audiences.
She’ll share what she would – and does – do now, and indeed what she would advise other artists to do to protect themselves and those around them when making trauma-based work.
This session will be relaxed throughout, providing the opportunity for you to ask as many questions as you like.
This online event is FREE TO attend. It will take place via Zoom. Places are LIMITED.
Ticket Information
Once you have booked your ticket you will receive an invite to attend via email, this will be sent out on the day of the event (please check spam folders just in case.) You will receive a final invite 15 minutes before the session starts, please ensure you have booked your tickets well in advance as we can't guarantee entry after this point. If you have any ticket issues please email hello@goodcreator.org
ABOUT ALEXANDRA DONNACHIE
Alexandra 'Alex' Donnachie (she/her) is an award-winning writer-performer. Her work includes: twenty-eight (DEM Productions, dir. Jessica Lazar: Theatre 503); When We Died (Carbon Theatre, dir. Andy Routledge: VAULT Festival 2020, EdFringe Online 2021, Bruntwood Prize longlisted); 3 Years, 1 Week and a Lemon Drizzle (UK Tour, EdFringe 2018).
Alex appeared in Suffragettes with Lucy Worsley (BBC One/Book Lapping Productions) which went on to win a BAFTA. She’s also appeared in numerous Big Finish and Audible audio dramas and plays a series regular in the Dark Shadows series. An episode she wrote for Series 3 is due for release this year.
Images: ‘When We Die’© Ali Wright
ABOUT THE DUKES
The Dukes is the only producing theatre venue in Lancashire. As an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, The Dukes creates a sense of place that challenges, enthrals and excites audiences, though live performance, film, art and events, promoting Lancashire talent and acting as an important resource for the community.