The Company
Foxtrot Theatre Company was founded in 1992 by former Artistic Director, Maggie Morgan. The Company became a registered charity in 1993 and a company limited by guarantee in 1998, and is responsible to a Board of Directors. Our Company patron is Brian Cox.
In 1993, Foxtrot toured its first Theatre-In-Education project in Tayside, using theatre and drama to explore health and social issues. Throughout the nineties, Foxtrot toured a range of theatre projects to schools in East Scotland, including its highly successful anti-bullying workshop "Only Joking!" and "The Gift", a play for secondary pupils on HIV & AIDS.
In 1994, the Company devised the initial format of interactive forum theatre which developed into the effective and successful training tool which is proving so popular today. The Company has worked with organisations such as Help the Hospices, Age Concern Scotland and Dundee University Medical School to deliver a diversity of professional skills training.
Since 1998, the Company has also used interactive forum theatre as an effective method of public consultation, working alongside our local authorities to consult audiences on issues such as community care strategies and teenage pregnancy.
2004 saw the beginning of a new chapter for Foxtrot as Bruce Strachan joined the Company as Artistic Director and Helen MacKinnon as Company Administrator. The Company relocated to Perth in September 2004 and are currently based at the Algo Business Centre.
The Company is named after the nautical flag 'Foxtrot', which means: "I am disabled. Communicate with me."
Foxtrot Board Members
- Dr David Bell (Honorary President)
- Pat Carragher (Chairman)
- Alan Nairn (Treasurer)
- Helen MacKinnon (Secretary)
What is Forum Theatre?
Theatre and Drama are invaluable and powerful tools in the fields of education, training and consultation. Theatre stimulates and challenges thought, feeling and imagination while drama techniques breakdown inhibition, build confidence and enable participants to explore difficult topics in a safe environment.
Forum Theatre provides a method of immediate, in-depth participative training, without the intimidation of compulsory role-play. The Company provides the 'theatre', and the audience - the experts in their field - provide the 'forum'. Carefully researched scenarios are presented by the company and a skilled facilitator then encourages interaction with the audience.
Forum Theatre provides a crucial link between theory and practice. Through interactive exploration, participants are encouraged to debate and resolve issues creatively, with the support of colleagues and the artistic team.