Writing the script for Out of the Box, the upcoming production from Out of Character, has been a truly rewarding challenge. One of the most exciting aspects of the process is that, at the outset, you never quite know what will emerge, and while that can feel uncertain, it’s exactly this unpredictability that makes the creative journey so fulfilling.
Initially, we had the idea of creating a show about building mental health toolboxes for teenagers—resources to help them navigate life’s challenges. However, we were clear from the start that we didn’t want to patronise the audience or suggest that we have all the answers when it comes to mental health, as none of us are experts, and many of us still feel very much like teenagers ourselves, with lots left to learn.
As we spent weeks researching, devising, and exploring ideas together, a clear narrative began to take shape. Our story revolves around emotional illiteracy— the ways in which we all, at various points in our lives, struggle with expressing and understanding our emotions. It’s a universal experience, and through our workshops, vibrant characters and powerful scenes began to emerge.
Throughout the devising process, Kate and I assigned the actors different tasks that they would then develop into short scenes. This gave me an abundance of rich material to work with—scenes, emotions, and ideas to sift through and stitch into a cohesive play.
I often describe my role in the creative process as that of a quilter. The group provides me with beautiful, colourful, and dynamic patches, and I select the pieces that I feel work well together. I then stitch them together with a few of my own ideas, and in the end, the result is a collaborative work of art. The hardest part of the process is always the selection because there’s so much great material to choose from.
Ultimately, Out of the Box is a collective effort, shaped by the contributions of everyone involved. It’s been an incredibly inspiring experience, and I’m proud of what we’ve created together.
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