David Pollendine (Artistic Director) & Freelance Drama Practitioner
After completing a degree and PGCE in Physical Education David spent ten years years teaching in the Czech Republic where he found time to establish a Community theatre project in Haje, Prague and create a dance/drama production called Smlouva se smrti (Contract with Death) that toured throughout central Europe. David returned to the UK to study Physical Theatre and Mime at the Desmond Jones School and Acting Studies at Morley College. In 2003 he set up Big Intent Theatre Company with his brother and sister in law working in schools and at festivals using drama to explore both educational and ethical issues. In 2004 David took up a full time post at the Church Mission Society as a Youth Adviser and continued working creatively, co-writing and putting on two national Theatre in Education (TIE) tours, ‘Free For All’ in 2007 looking at the history of the triangular slave trade and ‘World To Rights’ in 2009 looking at the fight for Child Rights in Victorian England and today. During this time David taught and ran creative projects as far a field as Sierra Leone, India, Pakistan and Canada, as well as closer to home in The Czech Republic, France and Germany. As part of the World to Rights Project he co-produced a DVD resource for schools on street children in Manila.
Scene Change Theatre Company
In October 2009 David set up Scene Change Theatre Company (SCTC) and created a TIE project for 2010 on the environment called Down to Earth. followed by a project called The King’s Quest to commemorate the 400th anniversery of the King James Bible in 2011. In the same year David completed an MA in Applied Drama at Goldsmiths College, University of London. ( See The Reading Room.) In addition to his creative arts work, David is the Coordinator for Wandsworth Street Pastors and is married to Irfana with 2 children.
Currently David is working on a number of projects with Scene Change Theatre Company. The Torch - A new Scene Change Theatre project for 2012 looking at the history of the Olympics and its legacy. The Fugitive Scolar - A story-telling project with Cafe Credo looking at the life of William Tyndale and his contribution to The English Bible and literature. Saturdayscool - This is SCTC’s own Performing arts school in partnership with Studyscool , which has run in Kingston and Clapham to date. A new Sundayscool is planned for Clapham in the summer term 2012.
Freelance work
Tender - David runs workshops using drama to explore issues around domestic abuse in schools and PRU’s around London. Green Shoes Arts David is the Project Manager of the The Rising Stars Junior Youth Theatre Co in Dagenham. He has Directed a number of plays including Twisted Fairy Tales (2011) at The Broadway Theatre, Barking which included a fly on the wall DVd of the project , “123 me” which was showcased at The Molten Festival in Barking Library. and “The clock struck Death”, a Murder Mystery which will show at The Broadway Barking on 31st March 2012. BRF – Creative workshops teaching RE on the KS1 & KS2 curriculum in Primary schools across the UK. Magic Me - Uses the Arts to bring generations together. David has recently joined the Freelance practitioners team.
To view David’s Drama Practitioner and Acting CV’s click here
