Meet HIT’s Freelancers: Ali Singleton

At Herts Inclusive Theatre, our team is more than just staff, freelancers and volunteers – it’s a community of dedicated people, each bringing their unique skills and passion to support our commitment to inclusivity. Each branch of the team – staff, freelancers, and volunteers – bring something unique to the running of Herts Inclusive Theatre. Our freelancers are an essential part of what we do.

But what do HIT Freelancers actually do?

Today, we’re excited to bring you an interview with one of our freelancers, Ali Singleton, to answer that question!  Ali currently works as the Design Facilitator for Wednesday Night Project, the Access Facilitator for Acting Up, and has previously worked on HIT’s Shine Festival.

Read on to hear all about what Ali does in a day as a freelancer, some of the projects she’s gotten to work on, and why HIT is a great charity to freelance for.

 

Hi Ali! How did you get involved with HIT?

 

I am a self-employed community arts facilitator and have always loved working within inclusive theatre. I had heard about some of the HIT projects so wanted to get involved.

 

What was your background in prior to working with HIT?

 

I had worked within Arts Education and Community Arts for a number of years both in a theatre and a self-employed capacity. I am also a qualified dramatherapist providing support within schools and community settings often working within SEN.

 

What does your job as a freelancer with HIT involve? What kind of things will you get up to during a workday?

 

For my design facilitator role for the Wednesday Night Project, I will prepare for the session in the afternoon: getting together the resources, arts and crafts we might use in the sessions. I’ll prepare any templates, then load up my car and go to the venue to deliver the workshop on a Wednesday evening.

Prior to the workshop, I will have liaised with the Drama & Dance leads to create a workshop plan so we all know what we’ll be delivering and who will be delivering what.

Once at the workshop venue, I make sure I’m there at least 15 minutes before to get set up, then it’s all systems go.

We make sure we have time to reflect on the session at the end, make any amendments for the next session, and complete an evaluation form for the workshop – then start to plan for the next session!

 

What kind of projects have you worked on during your time with HIT?

 

I have worked on the Wednesday Night Project as the Design Lead. In the Summer, I facilitated the Creative Wellbeing workshops as part of the SHINE Summer Programme, and I have recently become the Access Facilitator for the Acting Up group for adults.

 

Do you have a proudest moment from working with HIT?

 

I have a few proud moments. One of them was at the Wednesday Night Project performance in June, as I had worked with the participants for the best part of a year. To see them grow in confidence and then perform on the stage when previously they had been resistant to this was a hugely proud moment.

Another proud moment was the Acting Up performance at the SME Awards the other week. Although I was unable to attend the awards it was a super proud moment as I had been involved in the rehearsals and seeing the film of the standing ovation they received at the awards was just wonderful.

 

What opportunities have you had for development and training with HIT?

 

HIT provides various training opportunities throughout the year such as Skills Sharing, Safeguarding, and First Aid training, which has been great to be able to access.

 

How has HIT grown your skills as a practitioner & personally?

 

I have found that working alongside other HIT facilitators has been an invaluable experience for upskilling and learning new ideas for workshop delivery, as well as helping me to develop my skills in working inclusively.

I have learned so much from my time at HIT so far; it has been inspiring learning from the other facilitators. But also from the participants themselves who show courage and determination when facing barriers and are able to find in the HIT sessions a place for self-expression, a place for inclusivity, and a way to celebrate who they are.

 

How do you find working as part of a team with HIT (both the session teams and the wider HIT community)?

 

Being part of the HIT team is fantastic, I have felt really supported and encouraged throughout every session, in all roles as Lead Facilitator, Co-Facilitator, and in support roles.

I have also felt supported by those overseeing the HIT projects who are always available to answer any questions & provide encouragement.

 

Why do you like working for HIT?

 

I love working for HIT, there is great variety of work in the different groups, workshops, and projects we can deliver as well as feeling very supported in sessions by fellow HIT facilitators.

Also, I really love the ethos of HIT around inclusivity and that this extends to all that access HIT from participants to those that support and run the groups. I feel immensely proud to be part of HIT.

 

If you are interested in freelancing for HIT, head to our Freelancers page, where you can find an application form. Or get in contact with the team via admin@hit-theatre.org.uk or 01727 221414 for an informal chat.