DIVERSIFYING STORYTELLING WITH JOHNNY MCKNIGHT

Scene Stirling’s series of online talks on the theme of unlearning continues next Tuesday (20 July) with Untold Stories, a conversation with writer and director Johnny McKnight on inclusion and diversity in the arts.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Johnny McKnight is constantly trying to rethink and reshape his work, to tell untold stories.

Johnny said: “For too long the stories we’ve been told on stage have lacked diversity across all sectors – race, age, gender, disability, class, sexuality. It became the norm. No more.

“We now have the opportunity to rethink the kind of narratives we put on stage, and in our art and creative practice, to present and capture the vibrant and varied lives that we walk in.”

An acclaimed playwright and performer, Johnny is currently working on a TV reboot of the Hamish MacBeth Murder Mysteries, as well as commissions for the BBC, National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Opera, Ayr Gaiety, Tron Theatre and Stirling’s Macrobert.

Commenting on next week’s session, Johnny said: “We’ll be discussing the obstacles, the practical ways to overcome them and, most of all, how to keep the spark of creativity – and joy – in our creative work.”

Untold Stories will take place on Tuesday 20 July, 6-7.30pm online. To book a free ticket click here.