Meet Felicity Nicol, our Creative Associate
"My time with Monkey Baa has allowed me to grow and expand as an artist." Felicity Nicol
Monkey Baa's Creative Associate program offers artists a chance to collaborate with us, learn how we operates and culminating in a public presentation of their work to the public. In 2023, we welcomed our second Creative Associate, Felicity Nicol. Take a look at her insights on the program and the world of theatre for young people.
What inspires you to work in the theatre for young people sector?
As someone who discovered theatre as a young person, I know the impact it can have. Young people represent such an important part of our society, and I want to be part of something that empowers them. Also, theatre creates better people.
What makes theatre for young people unique compared to other types of theatre?
I think there's a lot more room to play and experiment. Young people have big, beautifully open minds and are wired for play, which makes them the perfect audience for a variety of shows. They’re not going to get bogged down in whether something is realistic or not.
What opportunities do you see for growth in the theatre for young people industry?
I work a lot in socially-engaged performance, or Community and Cultural Development, and I think this is a really rich area for youth theatre. It involves creating work with particular communities of young people, such as regional youth or LGBTQIA+ youth. I think this presents a strong opportunity for growth in the industry, as it means targeting very specific issues. The results can be super fun and surprising.
How has your experience with Monkey Baa been as a Creative Associate?
My experience has been incredible. As a neurodiverse artist with disabilities, it can be extremely difficult to form long-term engagement with companies. Monkey Baa should be congratulated for creating this precious space. They have been patient, encouraging, excited about my ideas, and able to roll with me when my disabilities get in the way. They put their money where their mouth is when it comes to diversity and opening the industry to those who have traditionally been excluded.
