In this episode of Career Sparks with Val ✨, host Val sits down with ⁠Maria Askew⁠, Head of the MA in Theatre for Community and Education at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.

Maria is a multi-hyphenate creative: director, facilitator, performer, writer, and educator.

They explore Maria’s journey from performer to purpose-driven educator, how she integrates her skills across disciplines, and what it means to lead with creativity in a diverse community.

Key takeaways:

• Theatre as a tool for change: when used in facilitation and education, theatre becomes a powerful method for communication, empathy-building, and problem solving.

• Creative skills are transferable: skills from the arts—like storytelling, collaboration, and embodiment—are valuable across fields like healthcare, education, and corporate training.

• Portfolio careers with purpose: you don’t have to choose one path. A career built across disciplines can be both intentional and deeply fulfilling.

• Facilitation over instruction: learning environments thrive when knowledge is co-created. Facilitators can inspire reflection, vulnerability, and shared growth.

• Embrace cross-pollination: blurring boundaries between disciplines can lead to innovation and deeper understanding.

• Celebrate diversity and plurality: working across cultures, ages, and backgrounds brings richer outcomes. True collaboration depends on difference, not uniformity.
• Sustainable careers in the arts: community, collaboration, and advocacy are vital for creating long-term, meaningful opportunities for artists and creatives.

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  If you're interested about working with the arts, or are considering new, creative ways to use your skills, this episode is for you.

  
  

  Tune in now!🎧

  
  

  You can check Maria's official website here.

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  Original music by Renato Šoša

  Recording and producing by Valeria Kadelski