Clownery | Comedy | Writing | Performing| Stage Tech
Editing | Audio | Badges | Zines | Facilitating
Now That
Sounds Like Shevek
Who is Shevek?
Hi! I’m Shev – a creative sort of person based in Newcastle upon Tyne. I enjoy pursuing silliness, eschewing labels and sharing good hope-punk vibes.
As well as bringing joy to people’s lives, aiming to make people laugh and feel better about the world, I also strive to help people feel seen through their creations which are always informed by my experiences navigating life as a genderqueer, neurodivergent being. I’m always attempting to disrupt the dogmatic norms that create systematic harm to marginalized communities, asking why we accept things as they are, and offering playful, alternative perspectives on how things could be different and fairer.
I’m a capable writer/performer with specialisms in comedy and clown. I’m experienced in devising sketches and longer-form pieces for stage, screen and audio. I particularly enjoy being part of the workshopping process, shaping and fine-tuning both my own and others’ material. Furthermore, I’m becoming increasingly proficient at a variety of theatre of the oppressed practices through regular participation with Theatre of the Oppressed North East.
I’m a generally useful person to have around to support and record creative projects. I love helping to assist and develop projects from their early stages to delivery. I can offer an extra pairs of eyes and hands for note-taking, script reading, tea making, and technical assistance (particularly sound design, tech operating and audio/visual editing). Whatever needs doing, I’m enthusiastic to get stuck in in whatever ways I can to bring projects to fruition!
I also make zines and badges! I love sharing queer, radical, gentle joy through my designs and little DIY creations. Badge and zine workshops that I facilitate provide creative engagement and gentle self-expression for small groups or as a drop-in workshop station at larger events. Equally, if you have your own designs I can turn them into badges for you!
Facilitation
Providing spaces where people can create things in a way that works for them! My practice emphasises finding and elevate participants’ own authentic voices, cultivating creativity through comfortable community engagement.
So far I’ve led workshops in badge-making, zine-making, sketch-writing, comedy writing and performance. I’m always excited to share the skills I have and encourage cultural engagement at all levels of experience.
Technical Assistance
Experienced stagehand/runner with a specialism in sound design.
Confident in compiling SFX files, creating showfiles, and operating sound desks.
Able to assist with setting up live sound equipment in addition to general technical assistance for stage, podcasting and recording audio-visual content.
All Sorts of Editing
For writing. Across forms, genres and audiences. I have a strong sense of how to put words together effectively for a solid impact, whilst always careful to maintain writers’ authentic voices.
For audio. I love working with sound, and am always happy to dip my auditory muscles back into Pro Tools to construct
For audio-visual content. Video editing satisfies my poetical storytelling tendencies. I am proficient at finding the rhythm of the composition. I’m also as at ease working with DIY collected assets as I am with more traditionally produced footage. Whatever material there is, I can help construct and share a narrative with it.
Why Shevek?
Conscientious, a calm presence, I know my stuff. Though, if I don’t know something I’m always quick to do the necessary research to find out.
I’m driven, determined, reliable, and – most importantly – always on the hunt for fun.
I care about the process and the people who make things happen – if it’s not enjoyable to do then in my (neurodivergent) mind, it’s not worth doing. I’m access-centred and wellbeing focuessed – working hard within my capacity to help meet the needs of my community.
Sketch Slap
Soreslap theatre company
Sketch Slap events are a collaborative, safe space for LGBTQIA+, global majority and allied artists and audiences to network, create and develop their work and enjoy some slappin’ comedy.
Role
Co-producer, Writer/Performer
Contribution
From taking on the role of Script Reader for the first Sketch Slap (July 2023), I’ve adopted more responsibility for each production as the scope of the show has grown.
In addition to writing and performing, as a co-producer, alongside Rhian and Papi from SoreSlap, I’ve been a vital part of the process to bring each show to life. In particular, I’ve overseen the technical production of each show, and acted as wellbeing lead for the participants.
I love working on Sketch Slap – its dynamic nature means that every iteration of it brings novel challenges which are fun and fulfilling to play with. Furthermore, the essence of the show – building a safe and inclusive platform, nurturing local creatives who may not be easily accepted within the mainstream – makes it a positively special production to be a part of, and which I’m always enthusiastic to give my all to.
I’m Not Mad… The System Is
Theatre of the Oppressed NE
The Dogs Bodies was (and hopefully will be again!) a collection of people who have been working together throughout this past year with Theatre of the Oppressed North East, exploring how theatre can be a tool for coming together and creating connection and self-expression, exploring issues related to mental health, and engaging an audience in practicing for change.
Role
Production assistant, technical lead and creative participant
Contribution
After completing a weekend of training in Theatre of the Oppressed tools, Rosa invited me to join what became The Dogs Bodies working towards the piece which culminated as I’m Not Mad… the System IS.
Alongside offering my unique insight accessing mental health systems to the creative narrative of the final piece, I was able to enhance the performance through designing a soundscape to underscore the piece. This included collating SFX from sound libaries, as well as recording soundbites read by the cast. Furthermore, I utilised a hot key set up to allow the sound operation to be fluid and reactive to the action of the play as it happened.
I really appreciated being able to flex so many aspects of my skillset for this project, and it demonstrated how interlinked and complimentary all facets of my creative practice are. This dexterity is something I’m proud and excited to be able to offer future projects.
Zines, Badges, Queer Joy
DIY handmade badges and zines.
One half of Terrifyingly Wholesome with the incredible Mack Sproates – you can often find us tabling across the region.
Respect Pronouns
How Not to Make a Zine zine
Trans Rights Hedgehog badge