Below, check out my interview with Alys Jenkins (pictured above) – a Workshop Facilitator and Forest School Leader!
1. Tell me a bit about your career(s) and what it(they) involve(s).
I have two jobs – both of which are creative! The first is as a Drama and Dance Facilitator, these days mainly for UCAN Productions where I am Creative Lead in Drama and Dance. I have been lucky enough to work for UCAN since they were established in 2005. Over the years my job role has been varied – directing shows, choreography, delivering part of the Performing Arts programme at Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford, setting up and delivering projects, and more recently applying for grants. Apart from UCAN I have worked with Sherman Theatre, Hijinx Theatre, WMC and University of Swansea, Trinity St David and various community arts organisations throughout Wales. My other career is as a Forest School Leader, where I work with people of all ages and abilities to learn through nature and the environment. This could be in a school or community woodland setting.
2.How did you get to where you are now? (i.e. Did you do anything when you were younger that contributes to where you are now – drama lessons, choir etc.)
I became a Theatre facilitator and director, through volunteering for a theatre programme for children who were disengaged from school. I was 23 at the time. The project took place at The Sherman Theatre in Cardiff. Jane (from UCAN) raised the funding for this project, and it continued for five years. After six months of volunteering, it turned into a full-time job. It was through this project I became involved in UCAN, when Jane and Bernie started it in 2005. Growing up I spent many years at the Sherman Theatre, I was at the Sherman Youth Theatre from the age of 12 until I was 18. A few of us even started a band and performed in the foyer every so often. I was also a member of HTV Junior Drama Workshop which was an acting programme for young people which focused on acting for TV and Film, through this I had quite a bit of experience in filming children’s TV programmes, I was lucky to have training in both stage and screen acting. I was also a very keen contemporary dancer; I went to dance classes from the age of 12 at the Sherman (again!) and when I was 18, I did a one-year full time contemporary dance course at Rubicon in Cardiff. I also completed the classical singing open access course at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. I suppose with all this experience when I was younger, I was always, in some shape or form, going to have a career in the arts!
3. Do you enjoy your job(s)? What’s the best part?
I love both my jobs, I don’t think I could do a job I didn’t enjoy!
The best part about working with UCAN is the people I work with, I am constantly surprised by their talent and bravery, they do not let their sight loss or other disabilities stop them from achieving. I love seeing people develop skills and confidence to the point they will stand on a stage and perform or create something amazing. In Forest Schools I love to see people exploring the outdoors, nature and learning more about the environment. I love making and creating arts and crafts from natural materials. It is such a sensory experience and suitable for all ages and abilities. I think with both of my roles people of all ages and abilities, who may not necessarily cope well in school or in a certain working environments, are able to learn, develop and thrive.
4. What’s the most difficult part of your job(s)?
Fundraising!! It’s hard work but there’s no escaping it as the arts rely on funding to survive. Writing funding applications is mostly a long and detailed process and you don’t always receive the money despite all the effort you put in. (it’s great if you do though!). Many people with arts – based careers are freelancers (I’ve been one for the past 23 years), meaning that you work for yourself but people pay you for your services. This can be difficult because sometimes you have no work at all and no income coming in or you can have the opposite, where you have way too much work, but you can’t really say no to people because you need the money!
5. What skills are important to succeed in the career(s) you do?
Being creative and having great creative ideas is a big part of the job but I think you also need to be able to read people well and have lots of empathy, patience and understanding. Being able to read a group as well as recognise people’s interests, talents and abilities is also the key to them feeling confident and part of something. You need to be open to groups and individual ideas and help them develop the skills to put them into action.
6. What advice would you give to a young person thinking of pursuing the same career(s) as you?
Do it! Do it! Do it! You will never be the richest person in the world but you will really enjoy your work.
7. What has been the most memorable part of your career so far?
To be honest, there have been many. Obviously the big shows I have been involved with are always awesome, especially the UCAN ones with Bernie (I love working with Bernie!), I thoroughly enjoy whole process of creating a show then getting it to the stage ready for an audience. I do also enjoy the teaching side of things and seeing people develop through creativity.