Hi all,

I wanted to let you know about some changes that are happening here at Solar Bear.

Maybe you saw last year, I became Trainee CEO/Creative Director. This role has given me insight into every aspect of Solar Bear and how it runs, managing our Deaf Youth Theatre and representing the company on panels etc. This has also included, amongst others, legal, fundraising, administration aspects – a wide range of responsibilities.

Well, I’ve learned a lot through the past 9 months, and I’ve realized that my true passion is focusing on Deaf Youth Theatre and the education/community strand of Solar Bear, as well as the creative side of the theatre and digital strands. I’m excited to let you know that my role has changed here at Solar Bear meaning I am able to focus on these areas. These are areas that I am passionate about and will give my all.

I am now the “Youth Theatre Co-ordinator and Associate Director”. This means I will be able to focus on DYT: growing it, developing it, increasing engagement with young deaf people and inspiring them. I will continue to have a strong say in other aspects of the company as well.  I’ll still be involved in both the theatre strand and the digital strand too.

It’s important that Solar Bear has strong deaf voices as part of the leadership, and this will continue within my new role.

I’m excited to develop my skills further and become a better leader in my new position. This also means I can help our new DYT Co-Director over the next year. Emery Hunter will be joining us in September and I’m looking forward to working with them.

We’ve got big plans for DYT as well as our outreach work through Solar Reach.  After a workshop selection process with the help of current DYT members, we have selected a group of fantastic deaf workshop leaders, that we will train and upskill and send out into the deaf community, youth groups and schools – empowering deaf people to be creative, tell their stories and ignite their imaginations.

We’ve also got Make A Change happening – this is our bursary scheme for deaf artists. I was a part of the shortlisting panel, and I loved reading and watching all the applications – so many incredible ideas by deaf talent based here in Scotland.

I’m also involved in Creative Licht, our partnership with National Theatre of Scotland, Birds of Paradise and Sign Arts – providing opportunities for SLIs to learn and up skill artistically embedding interpretation into live performances whilst also informing the wider arts community, why this is important – better access for BSL using audiences.

And, there’s also Ayr Gaiety panto that has 2 deaf actors in the cast, we are supporting this production, and so many more fantastic opportunities for deaf artists, deaf young people and deaf communities. I’ve only mentioned a couple of projects but there is so much going on!

I’m really excited about the future for myself and Solar Bear.

Best, Craig

To learn more about the Solar Bear team and different roles CLICK HERE