8: “What does interactive mean?”

Meet Dave: autobiography writer, reluctant optimist, and mini-religion-starter. Here's how our paths came to cross... In October 2021, nearly a year and a half after our participatory artwork DAWNS took place, we got an email from someone who had taken part.

It's a SPECIAL episode of the non zero one podcast this time around, as this has nothing to do with the last 10 years at all! It's about DAWNS, the mass-participation, live-music, daylight-welcoming extravaganza that over 7,000 people took part in on 16 May 2020.

Annie Reilly, Head of Producing at the National Trust, commissioned put her forward in 2018 and asks, “What does interactive mean?” It’s the big one. In this episode we face the question that occupies a thousand PhDs.

Dr Emma Brodzinski, a Senior Lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London, introduced us to the work of some of our biggest theatre influences, before non zero one even existed. Emma asks, “What tools / structures / personal qualities have supported and enabled you to collaborate as a group of 6, 5, 4, 3 or 2?” This episode brings up the question that has never gone away: how should we organise ourselves? We remain a company of artists first and foremost, and it’s a challenge to find structures that make space for everybody’s opinions, ideas and desires.

Lyn Gardner is one of UK’s foremost theatre critics and an Associate Editor of The Stage. Lyn reviewed 'would like to meet' in 2010 and asks, “How have your individual jobs in British theatre influenced your work at non zero one?” Like many people in theatre, everyone at non zero one has other jobs – this is what allows the company to work in the way that it does.

Sheila Ghelani, artist, maker and collaborator with non zero one on 'take-hold' (2018) and 'let’s take a walk' (2016) asks, “Who / what are your biggest influences as makers?” In this episode we talk about some of the individuals, companies (there are a lot) and experiences that have changed our perceptions of what we can do, and what we should do.

Rubaiyath Reza, president of the 2018/19 chapter of Amnesty International UAE and collaborator-participant in let’s take a walk (2016) asks, “How do non zero one ensure that you continue to be inclusive and diverse in your castings and the work that you produce?” In this episode we look at collaborating with people who are different to us, and how those differences have made our work better.

Dan Rebellato, writer, lecturer and former Head of Drama and Theatre at Royal Holloway, University of London asks, “When you’ve taught theatre, what have you learned about theatre?” Teaching is hard.

Dr Robina Shah, Consultant Chartered Psychologist, former High Sheriff of Greater Manchester and a woman chosen to become a statue in 'put her forward' (2018) asks, “What are the characteristics that underpin the spirit of non zero one – specifically, how you make other people feel part of your team?” This episode is about collaborating, and the ways in which our collaborations with creatives and production professionals have moved our practice on significantly.

Tamara Harvey, Associate Director at the Bush Theatre during non zero one’s 'this is where we got to when you came in' (2011), and current Artistic Director of Theatre Clwyd asks, “When was the first moment?” In this episode we take it back to the start, the moments of learning that blew our tiny minds.