Theatre for young audiences
I am passionately committed to writing for young audiences.
"From the outset, Rachel's enthusiasm to inspire people of all ages has been clearly evident. Her popularity, professionalism and immense creativity has led to many collaborations with Chichester Festival Theatre. Her ability to meaningfully engage young people and to encourage active participation and engagement of language through practical activity, written content, exploration and self-discovery is inspirational. It is particularly encouraging to observe her approach to working with young people as it elicits honesty and maturity without patronization, whilst focusing on issues that affect and relate directly to them. I consider Rachel to be a very creative, dedicated and enthusiastic practitioner; she is extremely passionate about actively engaging young people with exciting opportunities."
Dale Rooks, Youth Theatre Director, Chichester Festival Theatre
Previous plays have covered topics including cyber-bullying, stigma in mental health care, anti-social behaviour, teenage drink-driving, and post-natal depression.
2011
Studio Secrets: Nomad Theatre
A new show for an integrated cast of adults and young people
Draw Me a Bird: Peut-être Theatre
A new show for young audiences, inspired by the works of Jacques Prevert
RocketFuel: Surrey County Youth Theatre
A Theatre in Education play about responsible choices surrounding alcohol and peer pressure
2010
The Bug and The Butterfly: Peut-être Theatre
A new show for young audiences, inspired by the works of Frederico García Lorca
2009
Dream Lab: Stagecoach Aylesbury
Musical for large cast exploring the importance of dreams
Three Shoes: Surrey Arts
Play for a large cast looking at the history of child performers
2008
This Is A That: Peut-être Theatre
A new show for young audiences, translated from the stories written by Eugene Ionesco and adapted collaboratively with the company
Scar Tissue: Godalming College
A play written with a group of sixth formers
6 Characters in Search of Themselves: Chichester Festival Theatre
A play devised and dramaturged with a group of young people as part of Chichester Festival Theatre’s community outreach programme
National Trust: The Young Vic Theatre / Notre Dame School, Lambeth
A play written in collaboration with a group of Year 8 girls and performed as part of the Young Vic Schools’ Festival
Streetwise: Hazlitt Theatre / Kent County Council
A Theatre in Education piece about litter and anti-social behaviour. Touring secondary schools in Kent
2007
White Noise: West Wing Arts Centre
Commission from NHS Berkshire to write and perform a monologue about ethnic minority communities experiences of mental health care services.
Safe Drive, Stay Alive:
A short film commissioned by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service warning young people of the dangers of drinking and driving.
2006
LOL: Laughing Out Loud, Crying Inside , Various, Schools in West Sussex
A play for young people about cyber-bullying.
Yellowing: Theatre 503, London
An adaptation of The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, looking at post-natal illness and reactive attachment disorder.
"From the outset, Rachel's enthusiasm to inspire people of all ages has been clearly evident. Her popularity, professionalism and immense creativity has led to many collaborations with Chichester Festival Theatre. Her ability to meaningfully engage young people and to encourage active participation and engagement of language through practical activity, written content, exploration and self-discovery is inspirational. It is particularly encouraging to observe her approach to working with young people as it elicits honesty and maturity without patronization, whilst focusing on issues that affect and relate directly to them. I consider Rachel to be a very creative, dedicated and enthusiastic practitioner; she is extremely passionate about actively engaging young people with exciting opportunities."
Dale Rooks, Youth Theatre Director, Chichester Festival Theatre
Previous plays have covered topics including cyber-bullying, stigma in mental health care, anti-social behaviour, teenage drink-driving, and post-natal depression.
2011
Studio Secrets: Nomad Theatre
A new show for an integrated cast of adults and young people
Draw Me a Bird: Peut-être Theatre
A new show for young audiences, inspired by the works of Jacques Prevert
RocketFuel: Surrey County Youth Theatre
A Theatre in Education play about responsible choices surrounding alcohol and peer pressure
2010
The Bug and The Butterfly: Peut-être Theatre
A new show for young audiences, inspired by the works of Frederico García Lorca
2009
Dream Lab: Stagecoach Aylesbury
Musical for large cast exploring the importance of dreams
Three Shoes: Surrey Arts
Play for a large cast looking at the history of child performers
2008
This Is A That: Peut-être Theatre
A new show for young audiences, translated from the stories written by Eugene Ionesco and adapted collaboratively with the company
Scar Tissue: Godalming College
A play written with a group of sixth formers
6 Characters in Search of Themselves: Chichester Festival Theatre
A play devised and dramaturged with a group of young people as part of Chichester Festival Theatre’s community outreach programme
National Trust: The Young Vic Theatre / Notre Dame School, Lambeth
A play written in collaboration with a group of Year 8 girls and performed as part of the Young Vic Schools’ Festival
Streetwise: Hazlitt Theatre / Kent County Council
A Theatre in Education piece about litter and anti-social behaviour. Touring secondary schools in Kent
2007
White Noise: West Wing Arts Centre
Commission from NHS Berkshire to write and perform a monologue about ethnic minority communities experiences of mental health care services.
Safe Drive, Stay Alive:
A short film commissioned by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service warning young people of the dangers of drinking and driving.
2006
LOL: Laughing Out Loud, Crying Inside , Various, Schools in West Sussex
A play for young people about cyber-bullying.
Yellowing: Theatre 503, London
An adaptation of The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, looking at post-natal illness and reactive attachment disorder.
