Elaine Collins reflects on her Nest Residency

The nest is a wonderful, comfortable place to create ideas and develop theatre. It is environmentally friendly too, nothing is thrown away but recycled. I am a theatre maker and performer who is aiming to intergrate BSL into my devised theatre production by forming a new character.  Name of the production is DDDivas, which is exploring gender, female impersonation and my lived experience of being a neurodivergeant woman with long term health conditions. Me and Pierce Starre, a solo performance artist whom is also neurodivergeant, were both placed in the Space of Possibilities, a bright airy space where the sun can shine through the glass entrance and windows. We were very close to the kitchen too which is always a plus.

It was a wonderful space to explore and develop a character (as in the role of Ben, the stage manager). I wish to make my devised piece of theatre accessible so that any disabled member of an audience can attend any evening rather than attending a designated evening where BSL interpretation is available and another evening where captions, and then audio description is available. Relaxed performances need to be available during a full length of a tour too. 

Me and Pierce came up with some wonderful ideas regarding the inclusion of BSL within the production, which is going to be developed further in future. I did have a meltdown midweek as was very tired, which effected my blood sugar levels too. Scribing was wonderful from Charlie as well as videos provided, but I realised that me and Pierce had slightly different needs, so it may have been really helpful for me to have further support regards my disabilities, as I do require additional breaks which I take when needed. I sometimes forget to take them due to effects of my dyspraxia so often need reminding to take a break, often due to stressful situations I will carry on working. 

A lot was learned during the week which has changed my perspective positively, I feel I can take ideas forward which will be great to share with rest of team and those within the arts that can offer assistance. I am developing other ideas too related to aspects of theatre and story telling, but I am placing focus on DDDivas currently, as due to covid and being on the shielding list, I had to hold back on this project for some time. All the staff and artists at Talking Birds were very interesting and supportive, and it was great to meet them in such a warm friendly space.

It’s so lovely that Talking Birds is placed near the canal, a pleasant, quiet walk which is useful for head clearing on the way to the space and back. So kind of Philippa and Charlie to give me a card before I left, saying thank you for using the space and spending time at Talking Birds. Me and Pierce were very appreciative and grateful. And like it says on the front of the card, I have met more of my flock. Thank you so much Talking Birds.