The origins of theatre can be found within storytelling. My first experience of theatre was listening to my dad telling stories of adventures he’d had. No matter how exaggerated or fabricated the stories may have been they were certainly never boring. I’d stay up late listening to him telling and re-telling his tall tales (tales that would get taller with age) and I knew then that I wanted to make people laugh and listen.

Everyone is a storyteller and like everything in life some are better at it than others. It is our job as actors to keep this ancient art form alive by telling our stories and the stories others in a way that is exciting, compelling and respectful to the people who’s stories are unable to be told.

The world of Art can be a beautiful, scary, funny and vulnerable place with no boundaries, no limits, no rules and no censorship. The possibilities are endless. We are so privileged to be a part of this little world, to be able to see life differently. Not all have found the key that unlocks the door, not all have been invited. It is up to us to keep it alive and the Miskin especially is aimed at doing just that.

I first encountered the Miskin whilst touring with a theatre company in 2003. The Miskin Theatre was one of the most memorable venues we performed in there is a buzz and atmosphere like no other theatre we performed. That buzz, energy, electricity… whatever you want to call it, is that of a living breathing theatre, filled excitable, impressionable, enthusiastic young artists. A hub of activity and a home for performers who dare to see the world differently and choose to never grow up.

There is a Greek phrase I remember hear whilst touring in Turkey often used to welcome new guests to dinner. It lends itself well to the atmosphere of the Miskin

Είμαιευτυχής πουβρήκατε

(I’m glad we found you.)

Finally performers I encourage you all to do whatever you want, however you want but only for as long as the audience wants.