Summary
Dr Lucy Fielding is a Lecturer in Drama and Theatre Practice. Her primary interests and research areas are in Applied Drama - working alongside communities to promote improved mental well being.
Lucy directed the new play 'Safer' by Dr Sarah Jane Dickenson which has toured across London, Birmingham Common Wealth Games, Brighton Fringe Festival, Glasgow MardiGla, Hull Pride, Manchester Pride among other venues.
‘Safer’ is a play developed through an innovative research and knowledge exchange partnership with LGBTQIA+ rugby club, the Hull Roundheads. For too long, LGBTQ+ individuals have encountered hurdles and stigmatisation that deterred them from pursuing their passion for sports. A combination of research, theatre, and community engagement intersect to drive change and amplify the voices of the LGBTQ+ community in sports. This project demonstrates that inclusivity in sports is not merely an aspiration but an achievable reality.
The project has completed a pilot in schools and colleges, offering a performance of the play and an Applied Drama workshop – led by Dr Lucy Fielding. This educational strand is working with young people to discuss themes of inclusion, exclusion and toxicity; specifically addressing banter. By discussing specific characters and the journey they go through, young people are able to highlight problems and solutions within the context of the play without having to discuss the personal experiences of themselves or their peers; creating a safe space for discussion. This aspect of the project aims to support schools and colleges improve their understanding and capacity to be inclusive both within and outside of a sports setting, centralising the voices of young people.
Actors on the 'Safer' project: Angelo Irving, Ethan Lang, Aidan Thompson-Coates and Charlie Blanshard
Producers: Yelato Coulibaly & David Eldridge
For more on this project, please visit our website: https://www.hull.ac.uk/work-with-us/research/case-studies/safer
Lucy's current second project is working with the charity Menopaus’ull – a branch of the Neighbourhood Network – to create a performance that centralises the voices and experiences of its members, all of whom have experienced or are currently experiencing the menopause. The success of the work Menopaus’ull is providing is apparent in its growing numbers to women in the local area, however there is still much more to be done across the country to allow women to feel better informed about the menopause.
The overwhelming consensus of inadequate information or support for this natural change to the body has left many feeling isolated from their families, communities and in some cases their own bodies. The performance created in this project will highlight the resilience of these incredible women, sharing their stories through fictionalised characters.
It will celebrate women and highlight the need for improved support and awareness about the menopause for everyone, whilst expanding the growing community to combat the isolation felt by so many through a variety workshops that run in tandem with the research.
Lucy's PhD focused on the actor training system of Vsevolod Meyerhold (biomechanics) being re-imagined and implemented in a contemporary actor training setting. Negotiating the transition of established traditions within theatre to contemporary settings remains of particular interest to Lucy's research.
Lucy welcomes applications for PhD candidates who are exploring the use of Applied Theatre/Drama.