Solar Bear is a theatre company that does things differently. Inclusion and collaboration are at the heart of our mission. We work with deaf and hearing actors, theatre makers, artists and young people. We reach out to those often excluded from the arts. Working more inclusively and collaboratively makes us think in radically different ways. It shapes who we work with. It inspires us to play with new ways of storytelling. It influences the stories we tell, and where and how we tell them.
About
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Jennifer Bates
CEO/Creative Director
Jennifer is a theatre director, producer and educational outreach facilitator. She joined Solar Bear in 2009 as a drama artist and directed several of DYT’s productions. In 2013, she co-founded The DH (Deaf and Hearing)Ensemble, an ensemble of deaf and hearing artists making work with and for deaf and hearing audiences. Whilst in London she became Head of Performing Arts at Let Me Play where she designed, led and managed several cohorts of vulnerable young people through BTEC qualifications. She also achieved her MA from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. After returning to Scotland in 2017 she set up a social enterprise ‘What Happens Now?’ working in schools, online and outdoors, creating interactive performances for young audiences and term-time outdoor drama classes for children and their families.
Craig McCulloch
Youth Theatre Co-ordinator & Associate Director
Craig is an independent theatre maker, workshop facilitator, BSL consultant and actor working with British Sign Language and spoken English. He graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2018, part of the first cohort in the ground breaking BA Performance in BSL/English.
Since then, he has directed major works including Black Out, part of a touring triple bill produced by Solar Bear. Developed and produced work with the Jerwood Fellow fund with Imaginate and through the Deafinitely Theatre bursary, with a focus on the exploration of visual and BSL performance.This ongoing work examines dreams and nightmares in a way that is relatable and engaging for children.
Throughout this period he has continued to mentor and help develop young deaf talent, this includes leading and facilitating Deaf Youth Theatre at Solar Bear.
Angela Coates
Executive Producer
Although Angela started in the commercial sector she quickly moved to working in the third sector where she enjoyed a long career. She subsequently trained as an actor and then became a General Manager in 2001, joining Solar Bear in 2014 before subsequently taking on the role of Executive Producer.
Felix Gilfedder-Cheskin
Digital Development Manager
Felix helps develop and spread a range of digital stories near and far. This includes promoting Solar Bear productions, projects, films, photography and digital art produced by groups and individuals.
Felix has over 250 professional film and TV credits, has developed bespoke digital products working as the Creative Director at Bolster and currently works part time lecturing at Glasgow Clyde College.
Alice Muir
Community Engagement Manager
Note: Alice is currently on maternity leave (6-9 months). Jamie Rea will be stepping in as Community Engagement Manager during this period – jamie@solarbear.org.uk
Alice Muir is now based in Glasgow and grew up in England. She graduated with a BA(Hons) in Fine Art from the University of the West of England. Alice has experience of working with the public sector. She has participated in several international events in Europe, such as the EUDY Study Session.
Alice is an illustrator and has worked on various projects, such as the Imaginate and Bookbug App.
Alice is passionate about Deaf culture, language and community and is eager to be part of the team to help establish a better network of deaf and hearing artists and theatre makers across Scotland.
Klarissa Webster
Film & Screen Lead Officer
Klarissa graduated from Dundee Jordanstone College of Art and from then worked as a Visual Artist and a Youth Worker. She has worked in several different community centres and delivered many creative workshops. After participating in Solar Reels last year, Klarissa has transitioned her career towards the screen industry and got involved in further training and programmes in the industry. Since then, Klarissa has written and directed 2 short films and has been involved in several short films as 1st AD, 1st AC, Editor and Production Assistant.
Our history
Solar Bear was set up in 2002 by Gerry Ramage and Deborah Andrews. The company’s founding principles were to create exciting, innovative theatre with a strong social commitment. From the outset, ground-breaking, multi-disciplinary theatre went hand-in-hand with an extensive programme of outreach, participation and engagement with marginalised communities.
A key milestone in the company’s history was 2008, when it established Deaf Youth Theatre, a year-round youth theatre for young deaf people in Glasgow and beyond. This led the company to focus increasingly on working with the deaf community in Scotland. Our track record in this area includes:
- Playing a crucial role to establish the BA Performance in BSL and English at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) – the first degree course in the UK for deaf actors
- Setting up Deaf Youth Theatre, a year round space for young deaf talent to flourish.
- Producing and touring high-quality, ambitious, and critically acclaimed work that showcases both deaf and hearing professional performers. Most recently, Wake Up (2023), a triple bill of visual theatre developed by three of Scotland’s leading deaf directors.
- Set up Solar Reels, the UK’s first film school developed and delivered by deaf filmmaking professionals.
- Established Solar Reach, a workshop leadership programme for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind talent.
Board
Our future
What next for Solar Bear? Our strategic aims for the next three years are to:
Showcase untold stories: to facilitate opportunities for deaf professionals to lead and to be employed in all parts of the artistic programme.
Creative Learning remains central to our work; develop new work shaped by deaf children and young people’s ideas, stories and questions.
Training and skills development as a priority in company and sector development – investing in people to create change.
Provide and support clear pathways for deaf creatives into the theatre, TV and film industries.
Drive change in the wider cultural sector through advocacy, advice and our best practice: celebrating deaf culture, language and heritage.
Reach new audiences who don’t usually access the arts.
If you want to know more about our work or to help us or get involved – please get in touch!