Hello Reader, Welcome to my seventh e-newsletter of the year. July has been a whirlwind of activities: another dance residency, supporting primary school children on stage in North Devon, and diving into songwriting and playwriting. As I've mentioned before, this email, is my way of keeping in touch, without you having to scroll through the Metaverse. I want to share highlights, share my artistic journey, and make space to acknowledge and applaud those I encounter along the way. I invite you to grab a biscuit or two, make yourself a cuppa and take a look. You might discover overlapping opportunities, learn something new or, depending on age and wisdom, find my news nostalgic. Either way, it would be delightful to share, support, and stay connected. |
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This month has been incredibly busy and rewarding, filled with various creative ventures and meaningful connections. Working with Landmark Theatre, producing podcast episodes, and traveling to London for another residency have kept me on my toes. I recently stumbled upon some pre-COVID photos on the POP+ Facebook page, featuring Ashleigh Wheaton from By Design Theatre and me at a pitching event. These photos brought back memories of our radio play, created during the height of the pandemic. Despite the challenges of recording via phone calls and editing with software I was still learning to use, we made it happen. I'm thrilled to announce that I've added this radio play as a bonus episode to the SEEN podcast, so be sure to check it out. All of these amazing experiences affirm my sense of belonging to a vibrant creative community. Each project and collaboration allows me to take a moment to reflect and say, "I did that. Wow!" This week, I had the privilege of being part of another creative community. I was invited to see the dress run of Far Flung's new piece, Keep Up and Carry On. It was such a joy to be in the room, with everyone wholeheartedly rooting for them. It warmed my heart to think that they, too, will look back on this milestone and say "We did that. Wow!" Sometimes if you have an idea, you just got to jump and believe you can fly! |
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🎙️Reflecting, Moving Forward: Charlie Ranken's Creative Journey🎙️ This month, I'm stepping into the spotlight on my own podcast, and I have to admit, I feel a bit daunted. However, I believe that the more I practice, the better I'll get. In this special reflective episode, I take a look back at my creative decisions as I entered 2024. I share my motivations for launching both this monthly e-newsletter and the SEEN podcast, delving into the impact these platforms have had on my creative journey. During this candid conversation, I discuss the reasons behind starting the podcast, the profound influence the featured artists have had on my perspective, and how these experiences are shaping my future plans. Connecting with fellow creatives has been incredibly inspiring, and I'm excited to share what new directions I might take moving forward. I hope you'll join me in this episode and continue to be part of the conversation. Subscribe to SEEN for more stories from the South West's vibrant art scene. Let's connect, learn, and get SEEN together!
🎙️You can find SEEN on Spotify or on my website |
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🎙️ Exciting News! Blooming Buds of May is on the podcast. I am thrilled to share this play written and produced by, By Design Theatre which follows a local community nearing the Mayflower 400 anniversary. What is Zoom? Why is everyone suddenly baking? And whose boat reigns supreme? The play has aired on local radio stations and received recognition on BBC Radio Devon. | | |
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'Charlie was a pleasure to work with, she was persistent in the space and eager to push past her limitations to grow and gain new approaches to movement and creation. I do hope to cross paths with her again.' Rhys Dennis, Movement Artist This month, I returned to Mile End in London and spent a week at Chisenhale Dance Space. I had the privilege of being accepted into a residency with Rhys Dennis as part of the INFUSE Programme produced by Babel Theatre. I pursued this residency for many reasons. I wanted to work hard and invest in my practice to make a more significant impact on the dance and movement landscape back home. I wanted to dance, to be taught rather than teaching. The residency's commitment to diversity was also important to me, with half the places reserved for Black, Brown, and Global Majority participants. Rhys Dennis, with his Jamaican and Barbadian heritage, created an inclusive and enriching environment. His style of movement, I absolutely loved! The experience was incredibly rewarding. By Day 3, my body was struggling to get to the floor; you could hear the whole class groaning, which was hilarious. Yet, my body is still going strong at the ripe age of 39. The conversations around me were rich with industry insights, discussions on balancing expectations with artistic health, and understanding the differences for bodies from various cultures, disabilities, and learning styles. The experience was worth its weight in gold, and I am eager to continue these conversations. The artistic director of Babel Theatre has kindly agreed to chat through some of these themes with me. I thoroughly enjoyed the morning classes, learning a fast-paced routine, and the creative sessions in the afternoons. The people on the residency made the experience richer. I aspire to reflect the way Babel Theatre conducts its spaces in my own practice. |
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🎭⭐Landmark Theatre and the Playhouse Festival 🎭⭐ As a Project Associate at Landmark Theatre, I've had the incredible privilege of collaborating with four primary school teachers and their students through the Playhouse Programme. This role has been immensely rewarding, allowing me to witness firsthand the dedication, creativity, and tireless efforts of both educators and young performers. The Playhouse Festival took place on the 10th and 11th of July at Ilfracombe Theatre. Each group had a tech and dress rehearsal, performed their play, and watched another school's performance. Myself and my colleague Jess Cox supported each group through the process. These performances were a testament to the teachers' commitment to nurturing creativity and fostering a love for the arts among primary school children. It was truly inspiring to witness the talent and enthusiasm displayed by the students, many of whom were experiencing a stage performance for the first time. This experience has also made me more determined to write a play for Key Stage Two, drawing from my insights to create a flexible structure that works for everyone involved. The Playhouse Festival underscored the importance of arts education and the transformative power of theatre in young lives. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of this journey, which has reinforced the importance of accessible arts experiences in rural communities. |
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Call Out for Creative Writing Submissions! The 40 Project, founded in late 2019, is dedicated to supporting vulnerable women in Plymouth by providing Sanitary Kits each month. These kits are essential for women who are sofa surfing, in hostels, or living and working on the streets. We are launching a new initiative and seeking contributions from those who have lived experienced of sanitary hardship or homelessness, those who identify as female, or individuals who experience periods. We are looking for pieces of writing to include in our kits, which will be distributed throughout Plymouth over the next year. We invite you to submit creative writing that can inspire, uplift, and encourage others. Your contribution could be: The goal is to provide a message of hope, strength, and solidarity in a creative way. We will select 12 submissions, one for each month of the upcoming year, to be included in the sanitary kits. At The 40 Project, we believe in the power of words to heal and inspire. By sharing stories and messages from those with lived experiences, we aim to create a sense of community and support among women facing similar challenges. This initiative allows us to include personal, heartfelt messages in our kits, making them not just a collection of items, but a source of encouragement and connection. How to Submit: Email your submission to contact@charlieranken.com with the subject line "The 40 Project Call Out." Include your name (or make up a name if you prefer) and an address. If you are successful, we will send a gift card to your location using the name you provided. Deadline for submissions: 29th of August
Let's come together and share our stories to support and inspire one another!? |
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MOVEMENT DIRECTOR / KINESPHERIC PRACTITIONER / CHOREOGRAPHER / PERFORMER |
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