True to Yourself: Leadership Qualities of Artists

Let's Create: Do We Know How To?

In this episode, London based theatre-maker Conrad Murray talks about the importance of being true to himself. He asks himself, 'would my younger self like me right now? Would this be real to him?'. He wants to ensure that he hasn't changed himself to adapt to the dominant culture of arts buildings and the culture of the arts world. He wants to make art that appeals to the people he grew up with and to stay grounded in his community. He thinks it is important to be really true to yourself and to really know yourself and your local community.

He reflects on the feedback that he has had over the years and how challenging this has been due to a lack of understanding of what he (or the people he is working with) are bringing into the room. Much of his practice is built around the young people that he co-creates with; their talents and limitations that they bring to the work. He talks about the importance of people being real and true to themselves, not pretending to be something they are not. He noticed a calmness in people who are able to be who they really are and talks about how vital this is for artists leading co-creative processes.

Conrad talks about the importance of being able to reveal something of who he is through the co-creative process. He might write lyrics that say something about his class or ethnic background and knows that this can build trust with the young people he works with. Like many of the artists interviewed in this podcast, he talks about how dangerous this work can be if it is not done properly. If artists do not fully embrace the trust and significance of the work in the lives of the young people he works with. He really cares about the young people he works with and their development and sees this dedication as central to the success of his work. He reflects on the privilege and responsibility of holding these relationships with young people he co-creates with.

He thinks that people are intuitive and can sense when an artist is not true to themselves, or bringing their whole selves to a process. He talks about how important it is for venues to really be a part of their community. For him, being part of his community in Battersea, has been perfect. He doesn't want to leave and 'develop' his career. He has developed deep knowledge and craft through the stability of doing one project for 15 years. He reflects that because of this, his presence at Battersea Arts Centre has changed the venue. It's not easy to be yourself in an institution that has different expectations and speaks a different language. He talks about when he was at youth theatre, some adults gave him a second chance and also really took the time to listen to him and understand who he is.

For years the Beatbox Academy did what is now known as 'relaxed performances' and got criticism for it. But he just did this because he was true to himself and his knowledge of what it takes for people to make it to see a show at the end of the day. Because he had the strength to be true to himself, the impact of this on the whole of Battersea Arts Centre and beyond has been huge. He now goes to deliver workshops at Drama School exercises that he made up in his bedroom. He believes 'Your power is being you.'

Naomi Alexander is the CEO and Artistic Director of Brighton People's Theatre . Her AHRC funded research Let's Create: Do we know how to? identified 20 qualities, skills and responsibilities that are important for artists leading co-creative practice. The report and illustrations are available here.
X: https://twitter.com/naomi_ontheatre

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomiontheatre/

Conrad Murray is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Beatbox Academy which runs at Battersea Arts Centre

X: https://twitter.com/rODIUMrECORDS
IG: https://www.instagram.com/rodium/ https://www.instagram.com/bac_beatbox_academy/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conrad-murray-a4b4ba183/

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