Mini: Shakespeare for Autistic Individuals: The Flute Theatre with Kelly Hunter, MBE

In today's episode, we are joined in discussion with Kelly Hunter, MBE, to discuss her work producting Shakespeare for autistic audiences. We will discuss Kelly's professional journey that led her from working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, and on the West End to founding The Flute Theatre and developing the Hunter Heartbeat Method in collaboration with autistic individuals.

Kelly Hunter, MBE began working in theatre aged 17 playing The Mistress in Evita in the West End in 1980. Since then she has been creatively engaged in theatres, performing and adapting and directing Shakespeare. Kelly has also taught and directed students across the world. Kelly is the author of Cracking Shakespeare, which serves to demystify the process of speaking Shakespeare's language, offering hands-on techniques for drama students, young actors and directors who are intimidated by rehearsing, performing and directing Shakespeare's plays, and Shakespeare’s Heartbeat: Drama Games for Children with Autism. Kelly developed the Hunter Heartbeat Method,  a series of sensory drama games, which allow autistic individuals to share how it feels to be alive and celebrate their identity. Autistic individuals have created this award-winning methodology across the world, working with Kelly over the last twenty years. 

Kelly is the artistic director of The Flute Theatre, which produces award winning productions of Shakespeare and runs long term community projects for people marginalised by autism. The Flute Theatre is  renowned for our innovative productions of Shakespeare including specialised shows for autistic individuals, refugees and those displaced by war. These productions use the award-winning Hunter Heartbeat Method. The Flute Theatre performs internationally, adapting the language of their performances to the needs and ears of their audience. They also perform in the UK and internationally with refugees and those displaced by war.

Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp.

Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander.

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