Editorial: A curtain call

Hello! I am Hattie Fisk, and I am honoured to say that I am now the editor of Drama & Theatre magazine.

In her opening gambit to you all, Freya Parr (my wonderful predecessor) said that ‘for several years now it has felt as though the world of theatre has been in limbo’, and I vehemently agree. With the theatre industry on the brink of an artistic leadership reshuffle, the arts education sector limping through a clear lack of funding and subject uptake at an all-time low, there are many spinning plates to keep track of. In times like this it can be refreshing to celebrate the innovative and astounding work that teachers continue to do on the ground.

On the topic, last month I was lucky enough to co-host the judging panel for the Music & Drama Education Awards, where I mediated our experts as they debated the 2024 winners. There have been some groundbreaking submissions for the awards this year; I can't wait to celebrate some of the amazing work that goes on behind the scenes in schools, charities and theatres at the ceremony on 22 February.

In features peppered throughout this issue I investigate the rise of audio plays for young people, discuss Frantic Assembly's Metamorphosis with Scott Graham, and collate a list of accessible schemes for up-and-coming playwrights. Elsewhere you will find a guide to using AI in the drama classroom, practical suggestions for using drama to aid the tradition from Primary to Secondary school and meet artistic director Kerry Frampton from Splendid Productions ahead of her session at the Music & Drama Education Expo 2024.

Having assisted in the editorial team on Drama & Theatre over the past two years or so, I know the important role that it serves our readers and I am thrilled to be steering the ship as it evolves further. My modus operandi is to ensure that this publication can be your first port of call for industry news, helpful drama activities and practical tips for your classroom. Please, if you have any ideas, queries (or you just fancy saying hello), do get in touch.

As we muddle our way through ‘limbo’ together, I look forward to providing you with a sense of community through these pages – however fleetingly during your coffee breaks or on your commute home.

- Editor, Hattie Fisk