“If you have some power, then your job is to empower someone else” -Toni Morrison
Workshops
My workshops include warm up games, writing and verbatim exercises- people sharing fragments of memory and exploring story through making self-portraits from cherished and everyday artefacts. The sessions are bespoke and adapted to the needs of the group and context. Below are examples of the type of work I have delivered- from one-off sessions to more sustained interventions and mentoring relationships.
“After all, our lives are but a sequence of accidents - a clanking chain of chance events. A string of choices, casual or deliberate, which add up to that one big calamity we call life.” ― Rohinton Mistry, A Fine Balance.
Banner image of Sudha’s self-portrait exercise by Shanaz Gulzar
Southall Black Sisters
A series of 4 workshops for Southall Black Sisters weekly support group. Attendees comprised around 20 women from diverse backgrounds (South Asian, Eritrean, Afghani, Nepali) who are survivors of domestic violence, and many have no recourse to funds while they await decisions on their cases.
A diverse, vibrant, and talented group who shared their lives through play, storytelling, and song.
What People are Saying
‘You made a beautiful circle of listening and trust’
‘Loved the games- especially Zip, Zap, Boing!’
‘I loved how you made us write in the present tense and it came alive’
‘I was touched. Sometimes a wound is opened, and we cry but we are strong together’
Culture 101
What People Are Saying
‘The group was blown away by your session. They enjoyed that you spoke so comfortably about your vulnerabilities; it gave them (and me) much needed encouragement to embrace theirs (mine). It is vital that the cohort interact with success stories of women from ethnic minority groups in a sector where they more than often don't feel like they fit in.’ - Madiha Ansari- The Cultural Ecology Project.
‘Sudha's time was hugely beneficial as someone who is intrigued by the personal journeys that writing takes you on. Working one to one with Sudha was one of the most useful resources I had as a writer. I felt very very honoured and engaged and provoked in the ways a writer needs to’ - Urussa Malik, Writer and Culture101 Participant
An online masterclass for Culture 101 with the Culture Ecology Project in Bradford. This is a 6-month development programme for ethnically diverse women in Bradford. This led to long term one to one mentoring of one of the participants over several months.
New Earth Theatre
One off masterclass for New Earth Theatre for their Academy, and Van Thanh Productions developer programme. These were aimed at East Asian and Vietnamese emerging artists.
What People Are Saying
“It was Wonderful, Curious, Fun…”
“At first, I thought it would be officey- but it turned out to be really crazy!”
“I couldn’t have had a better time!!! Thank you so much!!!!”
“It made me feel more involved with society. An array of emotions”
“I was happy because I learnt a lot. Now I really feel like writing a book.”
“I enjoyed where we shared a moment that changed our lives – like an insight into other people’s lives”
“I personally feel like I have gained confidence.”
“I enjoyed the personal museum of our items”
Writing for Stage
A series of day long workshops called Writing for Stage which was a unique collaboration between Pop Up and TORCH (The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities). This was a shared experience between children aged 8 to 14 from local youth groups and University researchers from various disciplines.
Cardboard Citizens
A series of 10 weekly workshops (2018) on verbatim practice for Cardboard Citizens with a cohort of circa 12 participants. Cardboard Citizens has been working for over 25 years to engage and unlock the unlimited possibilities of theatre and art with and by people who don’t feel like they have a home because of lived experience of homelessness, poverty, or societal inequity.
