Here are some of the talented people who are helping us to turn OUT140 into a play….

Eve Pandolfi has been involved with The Common Lot for the last 3 years, and been involved in a number of different community performance projects.

“Shell originally approached me with the idea of turning the OUT140 project into performance, and I suggested the idea of workshops to allow anyone to come along and be part of a creative process. For me, the ideas along the way are as important as the finished product.”

James McDermott is an LGBTQ playwright and performer based in Norfolk. He trained at UEA where he graduated with an MA (Distinction) in Scriptwriting. His short plays have been staged at Royal Court, Lyric Hammersmith and Latitude. James is currently touring ‘Rubber Ring’, his critically acclaimed solo show about a Norfolk teenager’s struggle with sexual and regional identity. He is represented by Micheline Steinberg Associates.

“Growing up gay in Norfolk, I felt like a ghost no one believed in as Norfolk and rural LGBTQ stories were seldom seen onstage or screen. I am taking part in this project to turn Norfolk people’s coming out stories into a play in the hope that the show will help the region’s LGBTQ community feel less like ghosts as their stories are finally being represented onstage”

Duncan Joseph is a freelance theatre practitioner working as Empty Vessel Theatre & Education and  works with community groups and young people to make engaging theatre exploring contemporary issues.

“My interest in the OUT140 project stemmed from the moving and inspirational book of coming out tweets, a belief in diversity and openness, and a vision that these stories would make a funny, moving and inspiring piece of live verbatim theatre. However, the importance of such a project has been clarified by recent news stories coming from Chechnya, and reinforces the importance of continuing to challenge oppression in all forms. Art and theatre offer a chance to open up debate and connect with people on a very personal level. These stories deserve to be told.”