As a researcher and practising artist I deliver professional applied theatre productions regionally, nationally and internationally, with, by, and for young people, refugees, older people, and marginalised communities.
Information on my PhD by publication
Through my research/practice three interconnected solo performances explored the bystander role. Using a/r/tography methodology through the roles of artist, researcher, and teacher I worked with almost 5,000 participants/audiences. The productions toured schools, theatres, festivals and academic conferences over a ten-year period investigating agency and activism within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through participation, the productions explored how we activate the tritagonist the third voice in a conflict.
Thesis title
Tritagonist Theatre: Investigating the activation of the bystander through three interconnected solo performances
2024 - "A Slight Ache" by Harold Pinter toured throughout village/community hall/spaces researching historical sexual violence and domestic violence in rural areas.
2019 -2022 - "Destines" a co-creation piece with young people with care experience and young unaccompanied asylum seekers with Sinfonia Viva, Orchestra Live and Derbyshire County Council Virtual School. Screened at Derby Theatre as part of the Culture Cares Conference 2021, and won two awards.
2019 - "Journeys of Destiny" verbatim story of Syrian Saad Alkassab. Toured schools and theatres throughout East Midlands
2019 - "Real for Me" investigate the effect of social media and pornography on young people's relationships as part of the Relationships & Sex Education. Funded by Arts Council England and Derbyshire Police Commissioner. UG/MA Applied Drama students toured schools.
2016 - 2017 - British Council funded researching verbatim material whilst working with refugees and asylum seekers. Six-month period of international travel artists in Australia focusing on the themes of young refugees. The material performed as part of National Refugee Week (June 2017)
2017 - Mantle of the Expert workshops in collaboration with Dr. Geoff Redman in Delhi India
2014 - Commissioned by Amnesty International (Wirksworth) "Acting Alone" solo performance toured in 2015, both nationally and internationally. The piece continued to explore the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and the role of the bystander
2013 - Working with UG Applied Drama students Michael Morporgo's book The Kites Are Flying was adapted for year 6 pupils. Arts Council funded research included work in the West Bank with Freedom Theatre in Jenin refugee camp, and The Alrowwad Centre in Aida Refugee Camp. Performed at Derby Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse
2009 - 2010 - I'm No Hero toured nationally. Arts Council and the University of Derby Research funding. Explored role of bystander during WW2 and Palestine.
Recent publications
Hunt. A(2025)Destinies: An Applied Theatre Co-creation with Vulnerable Groups Producing Inter-relational Communities of Practice in Ada. U (Ed.) British Theatre and Young People: Theory and Performance in 21st Century, London, Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003470434
Hunt. A (2022) Real for me: co-creation drama negotiating safer sexual boundaries, Routledge: Drama in Education: (Ed.) Mary McAvoy and Peter O’Connor
Hunt. A., and Wooster. R. (2021) ‘Social Distancing without Emotional Distancing?, Journal of Applied Arts & Health Special Issue: Vol.12-3 Art-based Research in Health and Well-being During the Pandemic
Braverman. D., and Hunt. A (2020) Creating Community Resilience: Theatre for young audiences and the mental health crises National Drama’s electronic journal, Drama Research: international journal of drama in education
Hunt. A (2019) Acting Alone: exploring bystander engagement through performer/audience relationship Research in Drama Education: The Journal of Applied Theatre and performance
Membership of professional bodies
British Actors Equity
Fellow of HEA (Higher Education Academy)
Professional interests
Trained as an actor with The Drama Studio London.
Trained with Augusto Boal in Forum Theatre and Rainbow of Desire (1990/92).
Worked with Dr Dorothy Heathcote with UG students at the University of Derby.
Industry professional experience includes:
Artistic Director and producer co-founder of Tangere Arts
Co-Artistic Director of Yorkshire Women Theatre
Artistic Programmer for Hull Truck Theatre
Associate Director for CAST Doncaster
My work has won multiple awards including:
2024: Nominated Recognition of Excellence: Buxton Fringe Festival: A Slight Ache
2022: Winner Mainframe Awards: Creativity for Good, 'Destinies'
2020: Winner Children & Young People Now: Arts & Culture Award: 'Journeys of Destiny' and companion piece 'Destinies'
2006: Winner NHS Promoting healthy lifestyles: Diversity & Patients' Choice: "Quality of the drama work was dynamic!”
2005: Winner Pamela Sheridan Award for SRE Project in Primary Schools - a national award for good practice
2001: “Best Performance” IVCA Award for “Trials of Barry Simpkin”
2000: Millennium Fellowship Award: Performance Development with Kneehigh Theatre
Qualifications
Diploma in Acting, The Drama Studio, London
MA Drama in Education, University of Derby
PGPLT - Teaching in Higher Education, University of Derby
2024 – Masterclass at Auckland University – Co-creation methods – Destinies
2022 - Dorothy Heathcote Now - International Conference presenting Journeys of Destiny - and the use of in the role
2019 - TaPRA Exeter - paper on Journeys of Destiny - refugees and social cohesion - how do we remove the echo chambers?
2019 – ASSITEJ/ITYAN Norway - paper on Mental Health Crises and Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA)
2018 - ADSA - Melbourne University - Conference paper on verbatim and The Learning Theatre at Derby Theatre
2017 - ISTR - Irish Society of Theatre Research, Nottingham University presented paper on verbatim and participatory theatre
2016 - Lincoln University - Political Theatre - performance of Acting Alone
2016 - IFTR: International Federation Theatre Research in Stockholm, paper extract of Acting Alone
2016 - Applied Theatre Education Conference University of New York - paper and extract of Acting Alone
2015 - Politics, Protest and Performance Conference at University College of Cork, performance Acting Alone
2015 - Performance of Hope: International Applied Theatre Conference University of Auckland, Acting Alone
Experience in industry
My theatre industry work includes:
Theatre Centre
Half Moon Young Peoples Theatre
Avon Touring Theatre
Yorkshire Women
Roundabout Nottingham Playhouse
Derby Playhouse
Junction Arts
New Perspectives
Derby Theatre
Salisbury Playhouse
Half Moon
Language Alive
Shared Experience
In the media
Television acting credits over 40 years include:
Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, Touch of Frost, Dangerfield, The Royal Today, Grown Ups, Heartbeat, Grange Hill, Casualty, 999 etc
BBC Radio Derby: I regularly contributed to The Loudmouths and commentary on social issues including the representation of older women in film, TV and theatre and refugees in Calais (2012-2018)
In the media
TV 40 years including:
Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, Touch of Frost, Dangerfield, The Royal Today, Grown Ups, Heartbeat, Grange Hill, Casualty, 999, TV commercials, and film.
BBC Radio Derby (as above)
International experience
2024 - Czech Republic - CONNECT UP: Festival - theatre mediation for artists, academics and teachers.
2024 – Portugal – CONNECT UP: Teatro O Bando – performances for young audiences.
2023 - Vancouver CONNECT UP: Delivering theatre mediation for artists, academics and teachers.
2022 - Milan: CONNECT UP: presenting hotseating techniques within Applied Drama practice.
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