P: 07811254027

E: ellie.griffiths3@gmail.com Tw: @UpfrontNetwork

Performance Maker, Winston Churchill Fellow (2016) W: www.upfrontperformancenetwork.wordpress.com

Training: The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Acting (2003-06)

Curriculum Vitae

Current projects:

• PLAYFUL TIGER: Lead artist, in collaboration with Barrowland Ballet, to creatively adapt their dance piece ‘Tiger Tale’ for young audiences who have profound autism. Touring theatre venues from Autumn 2018. Preparation has involved training 7 theatre venues around Scotland in engaging and welcoming audiences with profound autism. This training was co-designed and co-presented with non-verbal autistic teenager Coery Nicholson.

• SINNERLIGT: Lead artist of a sensory installation that will tour galleries in Sweden from Autumn 2018/2019. The work is accessible to children with complex needs as well as the public. It was commissioned by Scen:se project and is co-designed with visual artist Laura Blake and profoundly disabled artist Greta McMillan, using eye-gaze technology.

• SOUND SYMPHONY: Lead artist of a sound performance being made for young audiences with profound autism. Touring theatres in Spring 2019, supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation. The show is being made in association with the Festival Theatre, and St Crispin’s (ASN) school. The concept was developed through a Cove Park Jerwood Summer Residency and Creative Scotland Open Project funding (research and development.)

Ongoing:

• UPFRONT PERFORMANCE NETWORK: Lead artist of international network for sensory performance makers. The network has 400 members, spanning 13 countries.

• CREATIVE CONSULTANT: Ongoing neurodiversity/theatre mentoring and training for artists, venues, educators and arts organisations including Imaginate, The Lemon Tree, Ipdip Theatre, The Highlands and Islands Touring Network and the Theatre for Young Audiences International Festival (Assitej). Booked to speak and lead artist training in sensory performance at the Tokyo Theatre for Young Audiences festival in January 2019.

Recent Past:

• THE REASON I JUMP: Assistant director on the National Theatre of Scotland production. This was an adaption of the book, written by a Japanese teenager who has autism and is non-verbal. It was devised and performed by adults and young people on the autistic spectrum and directed by Graham Eatough. 5 stars, the Observer.

• VALENTINA’S GALAXY (2018): Performer and collaborator with Frozen Charlotte to make an early years performance about the first female cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova. This was commissioned by The Edinburgh International Science Festival and has been programmed as part of Edinburgh International Children’s Festival 2019.

• LIMITLESS (2017/18): Researcher, exploring the barriers facing autistic artists entering the professional theatre industry in Scotland. Commissioned by the National Theatre of Scotland, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the National Autistic Society.

• WINSTON CHURCHILL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (2017): Travelled to Germany, Holland, the USA and Australia exploring new approaches to making sensory performances for audiences with profound autism and complex needs.

• SNOW (2017): Awarded a micro-residency by The Barn (Aberdeenshire), to develop a sensory performance for neurodiverse young people in ASN school settings. This has been performed in ASN schools around Scotland, including Orchard Brae (Aberdeen) and Charlie’s House children’s hospice.

• FRAMES (2017): Commissioned by Imaginate to be Artist in Residence at St Crispin’s School (for pupils with profound autism). This resulted in making a film in collaboration with the pupils.The film will next be shown at UNCON conference (September 2018, and at the Tokyo Theatre for Young Audiences festival in January 2019.)

• PATTERNS (2017): Commissioned by The Barn (Aberdeenshire) to be Artist in Residence at Seaton ASN nursery, Aberdeen, in collaboration with musician Abi Sinar. This resulted in an immersive sensory performance for the pupils and their families.

• OILY CART (2010-2016): Regular performer and associate artist of leading company making multi-sensory shows for young people with complex needs. Director of Light Show (which has toured to Lincoln Center, New York) and MIRROR MIRROR.

• BEATING MACENROE (2015): Co-director of award-winning solo show by Jamie Wood which continues to tour internationally, was nominated for a Total Theatre Award and won ‘Best at Be Festival’.