Artist Statement

I moved to Calgary from Glasgow, Scotland in January 2023. My ambition whilst I am here is to develop as an artist. I want to put myself into new and unfamiliar places where I can only make discoveries. The idea of doing that and being supported by the TD incubator is wildly attractive. Since arriving in Canada in January, I arrived in Canmore with the intent to keep applying to every opportunity open at the Banff arts centre. After four days my job in Canmore fell through and I was left with some difficult decisions to make and a cash flow that was fatally bleeding out. I hitch hiked to Calgary and spent countless hours determined to get a job. I relentlessly scoured for work over ten days relying on the kindness of strangers. I eventually attained work with “Trickster Theatre”. This involved devising theatre with children across the province of Alberta. My only prior experiences of devising theatre came from university lectures. I excelled and threw my full attention to working with this company devising across 17 schools in five months with children from all different backgrounds. Throughout this time, I began to explore a lot more story telling techniques, and read works such as Robert Mckee, “Story: Style, Structure, Substance and the Principles of Screenwriting”. Tricksters’ philosophy is movement based, allowing action to come first then dialogue. Whilst the reading material was primarily focused on script writing (I.e., dialogue then action), this research gave me a deeper knowledge on the principles of story and drama. This in turn allowed me to engage in conversations with the children when developing stories, to spark imagination and allow for a creative space. I find it important to keep being fluid and ambitious when it comes to creative processes, regardless of the standard expected, be it Children’s Theatre or A-House theatre productions. I believe being realistic in expectations but still trying to exceed them gives a fruitful experience for everyone involved. I enjoyed the surprise of the teachers and parents when presenting the work after a week residency. For some, it was the first time watching their children perform and I know the impact that has, both for parent and child. Culturally this experience was eye opening, especially when entering reserves. I found myself comparing a lot of social issues to Glasgow and finding out different coping mechanisms to these issues. It was also a very rewarding process as I see the impact art can have on communities and how it can inspire people who perhaps don’t have opportunity. I was always aware of this impact, however, to be the facilitator brought its own level of achievement. Whilst performing in these residencies with Trickster, I kept a firm eye on other opportunities. Firstly, due to the nature of the work, as I was only employed on a contract-to-contract basis. Secondly, as the summer was fast approaching, meaning school closures. Thirdly, because I aspire to explore as many options in the arts as I can. I was accepted onto Theatre Calgary’s emerging artist programme on “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” playing as Bottom/Lysander/Moth. During rehearsals for the production Theatre Calgary offered me a role in their opening show of the season “The Mousetrap”. It’s hard to explain the feeling of these two opportunities, other than to say I was and still am very proud of myself. Their kindness to have faith and trust in me for two back-to-back shows -one of which on their mainstage - was a massive boost to my confidence as a performer. My hard work up to that point had been recognised and rewarded in ways I had never experienced before. Whilst many may look at Scotland as a place of magical history and beautiful landscapes, there is a much darker side to the country. I grew up in a single parent household, at a time when Scotland had the highest stab count per capita in Europe. Gangland violence eventually began to change and in the mid 2010s Scotland then posted the highest drug deaths in Europe. I am very aware of how lucky I am to avoid falling into these circles, as they were all around me growing up. I took to the arts as I believed I never had the capacity to be anything else other than a performer. I never excelled in School but thrived in theatre settings. There was always a great enjoyment being able to share emotion with an audience. The drive I have is thanks to a working-class background and the people who surrounded me in my life. The encouragement I have had as a young performer has continued to grow from university lecturers to Theatre Calgary directors/staff. I became the first member of my immediate family to attain a degree. Whilst there is a running joke in my family about it only being an arts degree, I can happily look at my employment since graduation and show that there is real value in the arts as its paying for my life here in Canada. What I have to offer seems egotistical to put forward. However, what I will do, is commit myself to my projects and strive with patience and ambition to create something that I can be proud of.

Instagram: @_moon_eh