Meet the Artist: Pavla Beier

Pavla Beier is a drama practitioner who delivers creative sessions in schools as part of our Creative Classrooms project. We interviewed Pavla to find out more about where her inspiration comes from and what she enjoys most about working creatively.

What inspired you to become a drama practitioner?

I worked as a freelance actor and facilitator after I graduated from university back in 2001, predominantly as a street theatre performer and as an actor/facilitator on theatre in education programmes in primary schools around Leeds. I found a natural affinity with working in the community in a more participatory way and being able to offer the children I was working with in schools a space to experience stories from within, examining narratives and characters’ motives from different perspectives.

What do you love most about creating drama in schools?

I love the fact that despite having well considered plans for my sessions, the children will always throw in something unexpected and I love that when you ask the right questions, it opens children’s minds and makes them curious.

 

How has the pandemic impacted your work? What have the challenges been and how have you adapted your practice?

The pandemic had a huge impact on my work because, of course, schools closed and even when they re-opened, there needed to be physical distance between myself and the children. The most enjoyable part of working with drama in schools is to be able to be amongst the children while exploring a story, so I found the physical distancing very strange but it felt important to make the compromise rather than to stop the work entirely.

Where do you get your ideas and inspiration from?

My ideas and inspiration come mostly from the story books that I use in my practice but it could also be a news story or an object or a piece of art that inspires an idea. In a book, I love words and meaty storylines but I also love stories which are told through evocative illustrations. I always look for themes and concepts that resonate and that will be relevant and accessible to the children I’m working with.

Find out more about the artists creating your darts activities here.