In this interview, Mark Smith shares his journey as an Olivier nominated choreographer, his creative process, and his inspiring work with Deaf Men Dancing. Discover insights into choreography, directing, and the importance of inclusion in theatre.

Key Topics
Deaf choreography and dance Collaboration between deaf and hearing artists
Theatre directing and choreography process
Inclusion and diversity in the arts Impact of awards and recognition in theatre

Sound Bites
"Preparation before rehearsals is crucial."
"Theatre projects were on hold due to COVID."
"Dancers only count from one to eight."

Chapters
00:00 Choreographing with Non-Dancers
03:04 Collaboration in the Rehearsal Room
06:01 Navigating Director and Choreographer Dynamics
09:00 The Role of Movement Director vs. Choreographer
12:01 The Evolution from Rehearsal to Stage
15:12 Signature Styles and Personal Growth
18:03 Recognition and Achievements in Choreography
28:58 The Journey to Acceptance in Theatre
31:34 Breaking Stereotypes: Being a Deaf Choreographer
34:57 The Impact of Awards and Recognition
38:49 The Birth of Deaf Men Dancing
46:39 Transitioning to Directing: New Horizons
50:17 Upcoming Projects and Future Aspirations

Mark Smith's Links
Mark Smith's Personal Website - https://www.marksmithchoreographer.co.uk/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/marksmithchoreographer/
Twitter - https://x.com/marksmith_prod

Deaf Men Dancing (DMD) Links
Deaf Men Dancing Official Website - https://www.deafmendancing.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deafmendancing
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/deafmendancing/

Me'sha Bryan's Links:
Me'sha's website: https://www.meshabryan.com/
Me'sha Bryan Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/meshabryan/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meshabryan

Stage & Screen Link:
Youtube - Stage & Screen with Me'sha Bryan https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsP3kMmCnCwh08q3-4uPFtKLkwy2klA0G

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stageandscreenpodcast
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/stageandscreenpodcast/

In this episode, Me'sha Bryan shares her personal health struggles and reflections on the importance of self-care. She recaps recent podcast episodes and guests, discussing the challenges faced in the entertainment industry, including identity confusion and misrepresentation. Me'sha emphasises the need for diversity in podcast guests and expresses frustration over the lack of engagement from potential interviewees. The conversation concludes with lighthearted moments and future plans for the podcast.

Takeaways

Me'sha discusses her ongoing health issues and the importance of self-care.
She reflects on the rapid progression of his podcast since its inception.
The challenges of misrepresentation in the entertainment industry are highlighted.
Me'sha addresses the confusion between her and another artist, Misha B.
She emphasises the need for accurate representation in media.
The difficulty in securing diverse guests for the podcast is a concern.
Me'sha expresses frustration over the lack of response from potential guests.
She shares lighthearted moments about baking and personal anecdotes.
The importance of community support and audience engagement is reiterated.
Future plans for the podcast include more episodes and guest interviews.

Sound bites

"I'm always sick."
"Do your research."
"It's just bloody rude."
"I'm still here people fighting."

Chapters

00:00 Health Struggles and Personal Reflections
03:03 Recap of Recent Episodes and Guests
05:53 Challenges in the Entertainment Industry
12:07 Identity Confusion and Misrepresentation
17:49 Seeking Diversity in Podcast Guests
19:46 Lighthearted Moments and Future Plans

This interview with renowned choreographer Mark Smith explores his journey from Royal Ballet training to international stage success, his innovative integration of sign language into dance, and his insights on the importance of sign language and deaf culture in the arts.

Key topics

Mark Smith's career trajectory from Royal Ballet to international stages
The integration of sign language into dance and choreography
The importance of sign language as a cultural and artistic expression

Sound bites

"I feel vibrations through my feet first."
"I learned BSL quite late, at age four."
"Sign language was banned for 100 years."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mark Smith's Journey
03:02 Connection with Bird College and Creative Process
06:05 The Impact of Dance on Communication
09:12 Exploring the Role of Vibration in Dance
11:47 Choreography and Collaboration in Musical Theatre
14:54 Learning British Sign Language and Its Importance
25:04 Overcoming Communication Barriers
26:44 Celebrating Deaf Culture Through Dance
30:30 The Emotional Connection in Performance
32:33 Evolving Dance Styles and Personal Growth
36:31 Diverse Dance Training and Its Importance
40:57 The Journey to Choreography
43:12 First Steps as a Choreographer
46:52 Pitching Ideas and Securing Choreography Jobs
50:07 Navigating the Competitive Dance Industry
53:41 The Impact of Social Media on Opportunities

Links:

Royal Ballet School - https://www.royalballetschool.org.uk/
London Studio Centre - https://londonstudiocentre.org/
Graeae Theatre Company - https://graeae.org/
Deaf Men Dancing - https://deafmendancing.com/
British Sign Language (BSL) - https://bslzone.co.uk/
Ramps on the Moon - https://rampsonthemoon.co.uk/

Stage & Screen with Me'sha Bryan

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsP3kMmCnCwh08q3-4uPFtKLkwy2klA0G

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stageandscreenpodcast/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stageandscreenpodcast/

Me'sha's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/meshabryan/?originalSubdomain=uk