From the Magic Pencil: Voices of Writing Through Writing Through

In this episode, Sue interviews the fascinating Lizzy Plapinger, known professionally as LPX. They discuss what it means about to be an artist, how we can all live a more creative life, her unique relationship with color and AI and how she rediscovered her first love, visual art, during the pandemic. LPX is now bravely moving out of her comfort zone and living and leading with curiosity. Check out this episode to hear all about it!

In this episode, Sue interviews the incredible Dara Hout, the Chief Executive of Phare Circus, a live show of drama, dance and impressive acrobatics, known as the ‘Pride of Cambodia’. Listen to how he  defines creativity, why we should all embrace the feeling of fear and perseverance in the arts and how every decision we make is creative. You’ll also learn more about the history of the arts and circus school supported by this important social enterprise, the remarkable Khmer artists that now perform all over the world and how he personally became involved in the project.  
Phare, The Cambodian Circus - https://pharecircus.org/
Phare Ponleu Selpak (The NGO)- https://phareps.org/
(We apologize for the poor sound quality at times in this episode; we have done our very best to minimize it and hope it won’t impact your enjoyment of the episode.)

In this episode, Sue interviews Writing Through’s former Deputy Director, Jess Blackledge, who now lives in Edinburgh and works as a Learning Officer for the world-famous Fringe Festival. They discuss her wide-ranging career, which has the common thread of  inspiring young people to cultivate their creativity. She also talks about how her life-long love affair with the theater has led her to believe in the vital importance of an arts education and how the arts should be accessible to everyone. 
www.edfringe.com


If you enjoy this episode, remember Sue interviewed Jess in Season 1 in Episodes 2 and 3. Please go and give them a listen. 

Executive Director Sue Guiney and Deputy Director Kristin Schuster introduce Writing Through. Kristin interviews one of Writing Through’s very first participants in Cambodia, a remarkable and ambitious student named Rattana. After fulfilling his dream to study in the US, Rattana returned to Cambodia where he is now pursuing a law degree. Rattana developed a deep love of poetry and a passion for social justice.

What is co-creation? This week, Sue is joined by Writing Through’s former Assistant Director, Jess Blackledge, who discusses her move back to the UK during the pandemic, her unexpected culture shock, and the unique challenges posed by the co-creative process. Jess also speaks about her experience as the Creative Producer of a new pilot program at the Theatre Royal Plymouth and the role that co-creation has played in her work there. 

What factors impact creative writing? In part two of our interview with Jess Blackledge, Writing Through’s former Assistant Director, Sue and Jess discuss the ways in which culture and age inform creative processes. Jess tells us about the differences she has observed facilitating in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Singapore. She also shares her experience working with both kids and adults and how people’s fixation on originality can get them stuck in their heads.