Transforming lives & communities through theatre and film
WHY: Our passion is to bring connection, creativity and well-being to individuals and communities.
HOW: With powerfully effective methodologies, openness, deep affinity and a commitment to collaboration.
WHAT: We create extraordinary, award-winning projects & courses that inspire and empower
people to engage powerfully and positively with other people and their own lives.
“This week was like a mind explosion, you have changed our lives”
Participant in short theatre project in Perm, Russia
Our projects have received International awards at film & theatre festivals, and also acclaim from
psychiatrists, politicians, government ministries, doctors, prison governors, NGO's, theatre journals,
filmmakers, bloggers, our participants and peer-review researchers. We have had extensive coverage
including a major Russian TV documentary, news media and Theatre and Science Journals (see below).
Our Clients include ...
Services: Our Projects and Courses ...
Skills Development through Performance Training:
Short Theatre or Film Projects
We produce outstanding results with people with physical and mental disabilities, learning difficulties and mental health issues, and also with refugees, prisoners, service veterans and marginalised communities.
We use imagination, play and acting training - with a uniquely effective methodology - to develop the skills needed most by these populations: communication, teamwork, confidence, self-awareness, sensitivity to others, focus and responsibility. Participants learn to work together and produce a theatre or film project to entertain the people in their community, expanding their sense of contribution and fulfillment.
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The skills developed are applicable in real-life situations, including social and family relations,
job readiness, relationships with care professionals and independent living.
"You have achieved more with our men in 2 weeks
than our team of 5 psychiatrists have achieved in 5 years."
Alexander Romanov, Governor of Prison Colony 29, Perm, Russia
Community Engagement for Change
Creating Freedom uses innovative theatre and creative methodolgies to address complex public health problems including neglected tropical diseases, mental health and disability; by working with patients, communities and healthcare providers. Our unique theatre-based methodology has empowered participants to explore and communicate solutions and changed the way they feel about disability or health-related stigma.
We also empower communities to take on leadership and communication roles.
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​How can we transform your world?
80% of participants & audience reported that they had changed their behaviour relating to disease transmission as a result of project.
Peer reviewed study evaluating impact of project in Tanzania
Mental Health & Wellbeing in Schools and Communities
We run bespoke workshops and projects for primary & secondary schools and other communities
who want to provide their students or members with powerful opportunities for personal development.
Our ground-breaking methodology provides people with the understanding and resilience to meet the conflicting pressures of their environment(s). We also run sessions with staff and parents to help them
identify and resolve issues and to implement healthy practices in the home and classroom.
“He came home every day with shining eyes,
he has opened up completely this week. He is a different boy!”
Father, talking about his son after 1 week theatre project
Professional and Team Development
We run bespoke programs for organisations who want to provide their teams with extraordinary creative training opportunities and personal & professional development. Our ground-breaking methodology has people flourish in a creative setting and experience true teamwork, while also giving them
deep insights into their lives and openings for change.
“This week was like a mind explosion, you have changed our lives”
Participant in short theatre project in Perm, Russia
Training in Applied Theatre
We train theatre practitioners, care staff, teachers and parents how to run theatre and film projects, creative activities and programs for people with disabilities and learning difficulties, for refugees, and other populations.
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Participants in our programmes have gone on to form theatre companies, inclusive programmes, touring workshops and health messaging services around the world.
“Thank you for everything you do, you have changed my life"
Actress, participant in training program & theatre project
Acting Courses and 1-1 sessions
"Finally, I understand what acting is"
Student on Acting & Directing Course at Riga University
We have a background in Actor-training at drama schools, as University visiting lecturers and in 1-1 sessions with professionals and aspiring actors and in theraputic settings (such as working to develop communication & independence with non-verbal autistic adults).
“I learned more about acting today than in 3 years on my performing arts course”
Ash, participant in weekend workshop
​Awards:
Best Project: Russian Production Awards, 2016
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Special Diploma for Professionalism & Ethics of the Director, Krivoy Roh Film Festival, Ukraine 2014
Special Diploma for Humanity & Social Responsibility, Krivoy Roh Film Festival, Ukraine 2013
Director of the Year, London & Edinburgh FringeReport, 2003
Populations We Serve
Creative training & development:
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Schools and colleges
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Companies
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Communities
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Arts institutions
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NGOs
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Applied Theatre:
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Teachers & therapists
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Actors & directors
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Health Professionals
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Students
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People in need:
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Mental health issues
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Learning difficulties
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Special needs
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Physical & sensory disabilities
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Children in care
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Victims of crime & abuse
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Refugees
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Prisoners & probationers
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Drug Rehabiltation
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People with brain injury
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Vulnerable populations
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Parents & care givers
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Teens at risk
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People at risk of suicide
What Is a Typical Project?
Workshops are typically 1 to 6 hours per day over a period of 4-12 days , culminating in a theatre or film production of 10-30 minutes. We work with groups of 10-20 participants, along with volunteers, families and/or care professionals.
Often, we run workshops where the first half of the day is working with specialists, care givers, social workers and actors, teaching them the methodologies for working with these populations.
"Alex is not just directing a play but healing their souls with his attitude, his stunning intelligence and his ability to get out of difficult situations with humour and tact. The lads did not figure him out right away but when they did they accepted Alex's authority and listened to him absolutely."
Drugoi, Russia’s top blogger
"Wonderful work, I don't know how you managed to produce this. A real service."
Dr. Joseph Pillai, Consultant Psychiatrist
"Very important work"
Professor Peter Fonagy OBE