Here is the rehearsal footage of the 2 stage scenes that I wrote and directed (using my directing toolkit, which was developed and created through a collaboration with RAWD). Originally, the plan was to perform the scenes to a live audience, but unfortunately, it could not happen due to various reasons and scheduling issues. We decided to film the rehearsal instead.

I collaborated with Steffi Sweeney (RAWD’s Artistic Director/Writer) to write these scenes. She set out various tasks for me to improve my skills as a writer, introducing me to the importance of character perspectives when writing dialogue, combining naturalistic and unnaturalistic elements, and thinking outside the box. We practiced writing monologues and she emphasised keeping the concept and story outline brief.

My aim was to create scenes that were fun but also gave the audience something to think about. I hope that I achieved this and created a piece that is positive, authentic and inspiring.

Mixing naturalistic aspects with unnaturalistic elements, it was a real opportunity to let my imagination run free and view things from a different perspective, while allowing my voice to be heard. I took control of directing the scenes myself; successfully allowing the actors to make the characters their own but ensuring my directions were still followed.

With working with Hayley on the music video, it was the obvious choice to ask her to perform alongside myself to make it as authentic as possible. Due to unforeseen circumstances and having to reschedule rehearsals, Andrew Sinclair (a director/actor, who is also RAWD's Access Coordinator) kindly stepped in to perform with us at short notice, bringing a fresh take on the scenes.

Hayley and Andrew played multiple-character roles due to having a limited budget. I decided to use the same puppets (I designed with Em Wills) from the music video to keep the theme constant. It’s much nicer for the audience seeing puppets making fun of/insulting the lead character than an actual person. The puppets also helped expand casting options, in place of two additional performers.

As the rehearsals ended, I asked the actors for feedback regarding my directing method and toolkit. Hayley said I had "improved since last time I directed using the toolkit and prepared well.” Andrew said that my directing approach "gave him enough time to digest my directions and the toolkit was effective, suiting his preferred way of being directed.”