Staying in Touch: Featuring Ella McGran

Welcome to Staying in Touch — a series where we catch up with artists who’ve been part of our Artist Development programmes.

Artist Development is central to our work: a way to connect outwards, open things up, and keep learning, as together we push the boundaries of Sensory Theatre. Through this series, we’re shining a light on where these artists are now, what advice they’d give others, and what’s stuck with them from their time at Oily Cart. It’s all about celebrating both individuals, and the wider community we’re all a part of — the artists, young people and companies who are shifting what theatre can be and who it’s for.

Ella, a white woman in her early 20s, siting in a black studio space. She is looking at something off to the right that we can't see, with an unclear expression on her face - is it concern?
Ella in her solo show, Operation Shrink. Credit: Christa Holka.

In this blog, we hear from theatre-maker, facilitator and producer, Ella McGran. Ella completed a placement with us in 2023, as part of her degree in Theatre and Social Change at Rose Bruford College.

Since my placement with Oily Cart back in 2023, I have now graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) Degree in Theatre and Social Change from Rose Bruford College. My placement heavily influenced the work that I carried out in my final year of study as I was inspired to write my dissertation on the use of Sensory Theatre practices alongside classical texts, and how these techniques can aid our understanding of unfamiliar language.

Since graduating, I have been working predominantly as a theatre facilitator. I’m currently on a School’s project with Go Live Theatre, where we are working with learning disabled young people in 3 London-based schools to create their very own shows about kindness to perform to their peers, teachers, and family members. As a producer, I have been working on the development and future of my autobiographical solo show about disordered eating, which I hope one day will tour secondary schools and colleges around the country to support young people who may be experiencing something similar.

Billie holds up a clear glass bottle filled with water. An unseen light underneath the bottle magically casts rippling shadows onto the white ceiling above.
Ella collaborated with other students (like former Placement student Billie, pictured) to explore the use of Sensory Theatre in a scene from The Tempest, ahead of her dissertation practical assessment. Credit: Ella McGran.

My time at Oily Cart massively shaped the way that I work and what is important to me as a producer, theatre-maker, and facilitator. One moment that has really stuck with me was a staff sensory walk where we guided each other around the park with our eyes closed, focusing on touch, sound and smell. I have since used this with young people, and they love it!

My advice to anyone wanting to work in theatre or, more specifically, Sensory Theatre, would be to tell everyone you meet about what you believe in and where you want to be. When working with young people, always take their lead; they often know what they need best, and you can and will learn so much from them.

For me, the connections that can be made through Sensory Theatre are what makes the work so meaningful and unlike any other. Whilst I continue to focus on my solo show for now, I hope to one day produce a brand new sensory theatre show (or two…)!!

Find out more about Ella and her work at https://www.ellamcgran.com and follow her on Instagram @ellakmcgran