Rachel Mary is a neurodivergent theatre-maker, director, spoken-word artist and clown.
She makes theatre, poetry, film, audio-stories, physical comedy and live performance work to spark joy and rage in equal measure, and to unite audiences through the shared live experience.
As a director, Rachel works in collaboration with communities, artists, creative partners and audiences to platform big stories of global relevance, through the local lens.
In 2019 she was selected for the JMK Trust Emerging Directors programme, following enthusiastic response to her debut Arts Council- funded project, Silent Generation.
Since then, Rachel has continued to make work supported by that mentorship.
Some of her notable projects include –
- Silent Generation – Arts Council England, AgeUK, Reading Borough Council, Theale Green School, SOuth STreet Arts Centre
- Clownspiracy – Age UK Berkshire, Reading Culture Live, ,RBC
- One Town Locked Down – University of Reading, Reading Borough Council, GoldDust Radio,
- Exchange – Reading Mencap, StrikeUp Theatre, Reading Culture Live
- Don’t Let Go – Arts Council England, Wellington College,
- All Work and One Play – Make/Sense Theatre
- Mambo No 5 – Interakt Community & Watermill Theatre
Her work is largely self-produced, and generously supported through partnership and funding from Arts Council England, Reading Borough Council, University of Reading, Collaboration/ partnerships with: JMK Trust, Arts Council England,
Clowning/ storytelling practise (include commedia training Italy, work with Told By an Idiot, Why Not Institute. London Mime Festiva) – In 2022 she was awarded an Arts Council grant to develop her practice as an artist with ADHD, and to explore how working with the body and voice can facilitate her personal access needs , as well as those of the communities she engages. She found herself returning to CLOWN…
In recent years, empowered by her own ADHD diagnosis, Rachel has delighted in working with neurodivergent adults and young people, as well as anyone who has ever felt ‘naughty’, ‘disruptive’ or ‘a bit of an outsider.’ Rachel’s devised work includes collaborations with Arts Council England, StrikeUp Theatre, GymJam, Rosetta Life, Flintlock Theatre, Interakt, The Watermill, Make/Sense, Reading Mencap, South Street Arts Centre, Progress Youth Theatre, as well as schools, universities, and pupil referral units.’
As an educator, Rachel delivers bespoke workshops in Voice, Shakespeare, Clowning, Storytelling, Physical Theatre and Devising. She is also a specialist Speech & Drama coach for the LAMDA syllabus and teaches extensively with adults and young people in professional rehearsal rooms, drama schools, education centres and community groups. – including Outside Edge, Bishops Tortford, Maida Vale School, GymJam,
In recent years, Rachel has found fresh voice as a spoken-word artist, evolving and performing her work with audiences in studio theatres, open mics, poetry cafes, on Instagram and at the Roundhouse Theatre, Camden, and Studio Theatre, Brighton Dome, where she is a supported artist.
Rachel opens up about carving out her new voice, for here talent Magazine.
