Podcast: Making it with Temi Wilkey

Deciding to become a theatre creator can be a daunting prospect, especially if you don't know anyone who works in the industry. This can cause people to glorify those that do, distorting them into these other-worldly beings with superpowers of creativity.

This is what makes the Making it with Temi Wilkey podcast, made in association with Bush Theatre, London Playwrights’ Workshop and One Fine Play so excellent. It demystifies the process of creating theatre. Hour-long episodes consist of in-depth conversations about how writers, actors, producers and theatre-makers came to make theatre in the first place, and how they keep themselves motivated.

They work so well due to Wilkey's interview technique. A self-described extrovert, she understands which questions will allow us a glimpse inside these brilliant creative minds, revealing as much about their personal character as their working relationships. This is important for young aspiring theatre makers, as they will no doubt experience an ‘oh my god, I've felt like that too’ moment, showing them that any doubts they may have about that play they're writing – or any embarrassing set-backs they may have experienced – are completely normal and all part of the tricky and uncertain path that successful theatre-makers tread.

Particularly special moments include Wilkey's conversation with physical theatre company RashDash, who reveal that some of their most compelling productions such as their adaptation of The Three Sisters are driven by simple ideas and concepts, for example a dream they might have had or a song they would like to perform, demonstrating the value of all ideas when devising, however small. Meanwhile, her conversation with playwright and actor Ella Road (The Phlebotomist), about her journey from actor to writer, imparts some invaluable advice. It reminds those who declare ‘I want to be an actor and nothing else’, to think more broadly about how they might make their life in theatre, since it is the unexpected twists and turns that are often the most rewarding.

I urge drama teachers to share this podcast: it reminds students that anything really is possible.