How is your story also my story? Examining the role of the professional artist in performance co-created with communities

Abstract

This practice-based PhD explores my role as a professional artist in the co-creation of performance with communities in Scotland. Anchored in over two decades of socially engaged theatre practice, the research interrogates authorship, ownership, and autobiography through three case studies: ALBERT DRIVE (2013), OLD BOY (2016 - ), and MOTION (2018). Drawing from my work with Glass Performance, the thesis situates collaborative devising within social and cultural contexts, highlighting how lived experience, locality, and identity inform the creative process. It critically examines the ethical dimensions of co-creation, addressing power dynamics, representation, the responsibilities of the artist in shaping collective narratives and the role of care. Central to this enquiry is the question: How is your story also my story? Through this lens, I argue for a framing of socially engaged performance not as an extension of education but as an artistic form in its own right, capable of reshaping cultural value systems and reimagining community relationships. The thesis contributes to a practical methodology for co-creation, rooted in dialogue, inclusivity, and shared authorship, and offers a personal reflection on the evolution of my arts practice.

Date of Award	29 Jun 2026
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of St Andrews Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Supervisor	Deirdre Heddon (Supervisor) & Laura Bissell (Supervisor)