ODTC

This week’s speaker was Gary Collins, the Creative Director of Out of the Darkness Theatre Company (“ODTC”). 

ODTC was established in 1992 and is a registered charity which works with adults with learning disabilities, its members, to develop their key skills within the creative arts sector to build confidence and resilience through performance. 

Members gain a real sense of purpose through participation in meaningful projects within the creative arts. Projects aim to develop key interpersonal skills including confidence, teamwork, independence, communication, listening and decision making and to work towards integrating members withe the community and to gain employment. The projects allow members to create and participate in live theatre and filmed productions. Members enjoy social interaction and being able to showcase and perform their work to the local community throughout the year. 

ODTC is self-funding which means that it is not restricted in its activities. It currently has long standing contracts with NHS Highland, Health and Social Care Moray and UHI Moray. Working with the last of these, three full-time courses have been developed along with summer school phase programmes to try to shape and create creative opportunities and create career pathways for young people and adults. 

ODTC is run by a board of 5 trustees. The board is always on the lookout for new trustees. Details can be found on the company’s website. Gary, as Creative Director and Mark Sellars, as Business Manager have worked together for many years. There are 7 staff in all and 4 freelance practitioners supporting 51 members per week some travelling from as far away as Aviemore and Inverurie. 97 decisions are delivered each week with an ever increasing demand for services. ODTC works with many other organisations (including Moray Council, Highland Youth Theatre, DYW, Findhorn Bay Arts, EJT Dance, M:ADE and Frozen Charlotte) to offer members as many opportunities as possible in creative industries. 

Working in the community, activities include street theatre, making the Guy for the annual Rotary Fireworks event, art exhibitions as wells as staging many productions. During lockdown the company filmed its annual pantomime and distributed copies to schools and care homes. OTDC stages two quizzes each year as fund raising events. Currently demand on the existing staff and a busy schedule means there is no leeway for any other fund raising events at present. OTDC has had a number of venues over the years. It has outgrown its current home at The Wards and is beginning to develop plans for a new purpose built facility to meet the ever increasing demand for services and courses. The new facility would ideally include a 200 seat studio space with retractable seating which could be sub-divided into 2 rooms, 3 further studios, a technical department, a sound recording studio and a meeting/cafe area. Funding is yet to be secured. Gary’s passion and enthusiasm for OTDC shone throughout his presentation and the question and answer session which followed and was very well received by the members present.