Maria Speight on Writing for Theatre and her new play "Maybe You Should Know"

Maria is a writer whose journey into the business started in HR. She attended Pensacola College from 1990 to 2000 obtaining a High School Diploma, since then she gained qualifications from The Open University focussing on Human Resource Management and Services. As well as a Level 5 CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personal Development) certificate. She’s held many positions from Head of HR, HR Manager and Head of HR and Resources totalling six and a half years of experience to date. Into the arts, as a writer she has 4 new pieces of writing out, including rehearsed readings of her plays:Dentures and Desire at the Southwark PlayhouseSkinfluencer at the Rhino TheatreHow to Destroy a Woman, venue TBCTickets are now on sale for her brand new play “Maybe You Should Know” which will be on at the Barons Court Theatre on Friday 22nd and Sunday 24th August as part of the Camden Fringe, directed by my brother Adam.Get your tickets here: https://offwestend.com/listing/maybe-you-should-know/ or via Instagram @maybeyoushouldknowtheplayMaria discusses her training at the Bridge Theatre Training Company, finding theatricality in everything (including HR!) and themes that make up her new play. From breaking generational trauma, to finding a new home in a foreign land to loving your children with your whole heart. Great discussion for any aspiring writers out there!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @goweroliverFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️

Imogen is a movement director and artist working with the body with choreography, connectivity and somatic movement. She works across a number of mediums from theatre, Film and TV, classical and electronic music, performance and visual art, photography and opera. Musically, she’s worked with some of the brightest minds in the industry such as the London Sinfonietta, Southbank Sinfonia, London Contemporary Orchestra, Matthew Herbert, Keeley Forsyth, Anna Phoebe and Isobel Waller-Bridge. As well as the English National Opera (ENO) and many others. As a movement director she’s been involved in:Look Back in Anger, Almeida most recentlyUnder Milk Wood, National starring Michael SheenLes Blancs, National, starring Elliot Cowan and Danny SapaniKing Lear, Almeida, starring Danny Sapani and Faith OmoleThe Crucible, Old Vic, directed by Yaël FarberFor TV:Harlots, ITVPatrick Melrose, Sky Atlantic starring Benedict CumberbatchCall the Midwife, Hollow Crown, BBCChernobyl, HBO & Sky Atlantic - and much more!Imogen discusses her process as movement director, how each performer has a unique way of moving and her time working on the smash-hit series Chernobyl. A superb drama documenting how reactor 4 at the Chernobyl power plant exploded in 1986 and the ways in which the Soviet Union tried its best to cover it up. Starring Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, Jessie Buckley and Laura Elphinstone. In addition, her time working on The Crucible at the Old Vic, particularly through the intense Act 3 of the play where the girls conduct their “victory dance” in the court. A great conversation about how she works with actors across different mediums and the best way to communicate without any words at all. Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @goweroliverFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Early Morning.

Naarah (pronounced Nay-ah-rah), is originally from Australia and has been working in the industry down under for several years across multiple platforms. Those include, musical theatre, songwriting, content creation and hosting the National Radio Show “The Musical Show” on ABC (Australian Broadcasting Co-operation).She was also Young Australian of the Year for 2024. After a few years in Australia she moved to London to attend the prestigious Royal Academy of Music. During that time she appeared in the recent Lyric Hammersmith production of “Our Country’s Good” by Timberlake Wertenbaker. A play that looked the mass exile of prisoners to Australia in the 1780s and the impact it had on its cultural landscape. Widely considered one of the greatest plays of our time. She was praised for her voice giving “weight to the story and an insight from the Earth, land, water, air and the Indigenous communities. Her voice, soft and lyrical, is a welcome relief when she wafts on stage to share an entirely different language and truth” (review by Nilgün Yusuf). As well as this she has appeared in:We Will Rock YouInto the WoodsCome From AwayRocky Horror Picture ShowDeadloch - Amazon PrimeThe Sunshine Club among many more!We discuss her time at the Royal Academy of Music, moving to London, the impact of “Our Country’s Good” and our mutual love of Australia!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @goweroliverFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️

Theresa began her training at a young age at the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School followed by the Guildford School of Acting. Her credits include:Bridgerton as Lady Hood EastEndersAvenue 5Motherland Critical Law and OrderOutnumberedAnd, Silk, to name a few, Other than that she also an accomplished writer, producer and activist. Her main point of attention is spreading awareness of Parental Alienation and the coercive control of children and have it criminalised. As well as fix the current state of the family court system. Highlighted in her own short film “The Stranger I Love” which is based on her own experience of Parental Alienation. She is currently producing another short film “Fire Lily” alongside the two time Academy Award winning producer Kim Magnusson and working on adapting “The Stranger I Love” into a TV series. Including another short called “Belonging” set to be shot in Southern Ireland.If you’re able, please donate to her Stranger I Love crowd funder so more people can see the film and spread the word about this terrible form of child abuse and how it needs to stop. Link to it is below:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/tsil-finishingfundTheresa is such a brave and powerful soul and one I am very thankful to call my friend. Thank you for listening in to this episode to hear not only about making films but how he can wipe out alienation altogether.⚠️Trigger warning: This episode discusses issues relating to child abuse and self-harm⚠️Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @goweroliverFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️

Oliver is an actor with an immense amount of experience in the theatre.He trained at East 15 and was recently part in the Olivier-Nominated play “Now, I See” at Stratford East, a play that he called one of the most profound experiences in his career. His other theatre credits include:All of Us, National Theatre, dir. Ian RicksonDr Strangelove, West End with Steve CooganMidsummer Night’s Dream, Young VicNow, I See, Stratford East amongst many more.He also has appeared in:MisfitsLovesick - NetflixThe Bay - ITVCollateral - BBC written by David Hare, starring alongside Carey MulliganRings of Power - Amazon Prime Wonder Woman 1984, dir. Patty JenkinsAmongst several short films. Oliver discusses his recent roles in “Dr StrangeLove” with the challenges and rewards of making comedy with Steve Coogan, to the profound impact “Now, I See” had not only on him but the audience as well. Including his unique process as an actor, how he believes an actor should prepare for the first day of rehearsal and what people can expect from him next. Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @goweroliverFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning 

Audrey is an award-winning UK and International freelance director with a passion for new work. Committed to making theatre that is rigorous, ambitious and above all else, truthful. She studied Psychology and Anthropology followed by a an MSc in Medical Anthropology. Theatre-wise she trained for three years alongside the late Sam Kogan in London and Moscow. Before continuing her directorial training at the Young Vic, King’s Head Theatre and workshops at the National Theatre and the RSC, one with the legendary Peter Brook. She also co-facilitated the National’s New Views program for new writers at the National and a panelist on the Women’s Prize for Playwriting. Her work has earned her a Best Director Finalist place for the Off West End awards 2017/18 and the Arts Foundation Awards 2018. Other credits as a director include:Six Artist’s in Search for an Author - Almeida Perspective - NationalJews. In their own Words - Royal Court with Jonathan FreelandAssociate Director on Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre in London dir. Justin MartinCatch also her work on video games, she’s worked with companies such as Ubisoft, Amazon Game Studios, CD Projekt RED and Kuno.Audrey and I discuss how theatre is a great instrument in storytelling as well as speaking our truth. Truth about our lives, politics, behaviours and our place in the universe. I was fascinated to hear about how she wants to make theatre truthful and what projects she has worked on and will work on in the future will be able to achieve that. Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @goweroliverFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️

Sam is an actress from the Midwest  with roots in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Illinois. She graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in Theatre and Mass Media, before then travelling to LA to pursue her acting career.For those listening in from the USA she has been heard in voiceovers, seen commercials and booked several roles in TV and Films. Her biggest hit to date was the film “Followed”, winning Sam a Burbank Film Festival Best Actress Nomination and became the number 1 movie at the US box office for several weeks. Other credits include:Borsch Legacy for AmazonThe Orville for HuluSam’s main body of work other than acting, is her podcast “One Broke Actress” available on all podcast platforms. A show dedicated to documenting the real-life tasks and tribulations of being a working actor in the 21st Century. Sam and I talk about her journey into the business, a trip from LA to Atlanta for a Netflix call-back, how actors can keep themselves busy during quiet spells and how there’s more to life chasing success. Check out her Instagram and her website for more information on her Side Hustle Academy and where you can get her podcast:onebrokeactress.comGET YOURSELF A FREE WEBINAR ON SIDE HUSTLES - hosted by Sam and Gabrielle, get it below:https://event.webinarjam.com/register/2/1190nfyOliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @goweroliverFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] Like, Download and Subscribe ✍️

Michael is an actor and musician known for his role as Andy in Downton Abbey. He trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and has a number of credits to his name including:For Theatre:An Enemy of the People - National and Chichester TheatreLeaves of Grass As You Like It - Luxembourg and UK TourOthello - Riverside Studios, produced by Trish WadleyThe Fear of 13 - Donmar Warehouse, directed by Justin MartinFarewell Mr Haffmann - Park Theatre TV:Endeavour Midsomer MurdersThe ArkDownton Abbey Series 5 and 6Film:Good PeopleDunkirkThe World Will TrembleDownton Abbey Movie and Downton: A New EraCheck out his original music that’s co-written and performed by Michelle Dockery (plays Lady Mary Crawley) on Spotify. Look up “Michael and Michelle” for their tracks. Michael discusses his work on Downton, Othello and writing his own music. From auditioning for the part of Andy, to performing Iago with two other actors at the same time to making music, he has had quite the career thus far! Great chat for any Downton, Shakespeare and music fans alike!Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @goweroliverFor enquiries and requests: [email protected] from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name. Early Morning

Sally is the current weather and local reporter for ITV. She’s been broadcasting since 1988 since her early years practicing with a blank cassette and microphone aged only 7. Daughter to weather obsessed parents a move into weather reporting seemed inevitable. Sally has been with ITV since 2005 working not only as the weather reporter, but on the red carpet with A-List celebrities such as Tom Cruise and at premiere’s of some of the world’s biggest shows such as Netflix’s Bridgerton. It was Tom who in fact dared Sally to report the weather from the highest peak of the London Eye, which you can see on YouTube right now below!https://youtu.be/MXdUzQfrMCc?si=e170Rps5YomzsbslSally discusses her early years in journalism whilst being an under and post-grad at Birmingham and Cardiff Universities respectively. She takes me through what a typical day in the life at ITV looks like and the long hours it sometimes takes to put together the report you’re working on. As well as her time broadcasting on top of the London Eye, and how she prepares for interviews on the red carpet. Choosing her questions carefully in the brief time she has with the actors themselves.For any aspiring journalists, this one’s for you!Credit to the ITV website for this introduction. Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @goweroliverFor enquiries and requests: [email protected]

Trish is a five time Olivier Award Nominee creating innovative and site-specific work in theatres across London, New York, Greece and Australia. Following an extensive international career as a journalist and Director of Marketing she moved into the theatre working at the Bush and Kiln Theatres. She created “FRESH LINES” which promotes new and emerging talent in the UK, she is also a member of SOLT (Society of London Theatre), UK Theatre, Director of the Uncertainty Principle, Trustee of the Britain Australia Society and Advance Ambassador for Australia. Most recently she co-produced:- FANGIRLS by Yves Blake with Sonia Friedman Productions- A Mirror by Sam Holcroft with Second Half Productions at the Almeida 2024. - Opening Night, with Wessex Grove, dir. Ivo Van HoveShe produced also:- Othello, Riverside Studios with 3 actors alternating Iago during each performance.- The Shape of Things by Neil LaBute at the Park Theatre, starring Amber Anderson and Luke Newton (Bridgerton). Both were nominated at the Best Off-West End Production Awards at the 2024 WhatsOnStage Awards. - Prima Facie by Susie Miller in Athens, 2024.- The Election Monologues, recent rehearsed reading at the Park Theatre led by Harry Burton. Look out for her latest show also at the Park, “How to Fight Loneliness” from 16th April. Tickets on sale now. Trish discusses her role in producing, coming to it from a career as a journalist and what excites her about telling great stories to people through live theatre. Oliver GowerSpotlight Link: https://www.spotlight.com/9097-9058-5261Instagram: @goweroliverFor enquiries and requests: [email protected]