Make Theatre Podcast

A monthly podcast about the nuts and bolts of making theatre

Ever wanted to know more about our creative process, how we make award-winning gig theatre and run a national portfolio organisation? Then Middle Child Make Theatre is the podcast for you.

In each episode artistic director, Paul Smith, will chat with one of our many collaborators about the nuts and bolts of theatre, from receiving notes to writing a policy, all from our perspective as a touring company based in Hull.

We’ll advertise each guest in advance on our social media channels, so you can send us your questions for them to ideas@middlechildtheatre.co.uk.

Listen on Soundcloud and subscribe on Spotify.

Episode 4 – Belle Streeton

Assistant director, Belle Streeton, joins guest presenter, Jenni Harrison, to chat about her Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme (RTYDS) placement with Middle Child, in a special mini-episode recorded during the run of we used to be closer than this.

Belle is the co-artistic director of Concrete Youth, a Hull-based company creating theatre for people with profound and multiple learning difficulties. She is a University of Hull drama and theatre practice graduate and previously took part in Middle Child RTYDS Introduction to Directing programme.

Episode 3 – James Frewer

Composer and musical director, James Frewer, joins guest presenter, Jenni Harrison, to chat about the ins and outs of making music for a show, in a special mini-episode recorded during the run of we used to be closer than this.

James has collaborated with Middle Child since the company was founded, on productions including The Canary and the Crow, Us Against Whatever, Weekend Rockstars and All We Ever Wanted Was Everything.

Episode 2 – Danielle Harris

Deputy stage manager and stage manager, Danille Harris, joins artistic director, Paul Smith, to chat about the ins and outs of deputy stage management.

Danielle has worked with Middle Child on multiple productions, including The Canary and the Crow, Us Against Whatever and pantomimes, such as The Little Mermaid. She also spent a summer working as our production manager (maternity cover) and has worked freelance for many more companies and theatres in Hull and further afield.

Episode 1 – Daniel Ward

George Devine Award-winning writer and actor Daniel Ward speaks with artistic director Paul Smith about the nuts and bolts of writing and performing your own work.

Middle Child produced and premiered Daniel Ward’s script for The Canary and the Crow in 2019. It went on to sell out performances at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the Paines Plough Roundabout, before transferring to London’s Arcola Theatre in 2020.

Daniel has since won a Writers’ Guild Award for Best Play for Young Audiences and the George Devine Award for most promising playwright.