Getting to know you

Eco Drama’s founder and artistic director Emily Reid reveals some of her inspirations

Which producers and directors inspire you?

I’m inspired by many theatre-makers and directors who are making quality theatre for young audiences, but particularly Studio Orka and Theatre Refleksion, and I really love the work of Barrowland Ballet. Although the work I create with Eco Drama is not specifically dance theatre, I always come away from their shows really enthused and inspired. And not a director as such, but I love the theatre production The Man Who Planted Trees by Puppet State Theatre. This production was a big inspiration to me as I was setting up Eco Drama.

What was your plan B career-wise?

I set up Eco Drama in 2007 when I was 24, just two years after graduating. At the time, I felt strongly about making a career in devising and directing theatre for children and young people, as well as in creating and delivering creative learning projects, specifically around themes of ecology and the natural world. I’ve now been doing this for 13 years, and I still feel like I am doing my dream job. If I were ever to stop running Eco Drama, I have often thought about doing something in community land development – perhaps starting a community garden, planting and maintaining fruit trees and trying to ensure land is used for and by local communities. Or working in the producing team for Celtic Connections, as their festival is the highlight of my winter every year without fail!

What do you do to unwind?

Walk, read, listen to music.

Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?

After my family were safe, I think I’d save my shell collection – I’ve been collecting little “unicorn horn” shells, or Spirula shells, which I think is their proper name, since I was little, and I have so many that I’d be pretty heartbroken to lose them.

Theme song for your life?

That’s a hard one! I find that different songs become part of certain times in life and when I hear that song again, it can trigger and remind me of that time, or how I was feeling at that time. I think there’s too many to list!

Last meal on earth?

Rice pudding, with the browned layer on top from being finished in the oven…

Dream dinner party guests?

David Attenborough, Greta Thunberg and George Monbiot (environmentalist and political actvist).

First thing you’d do if you won £1 million?

Donate it to charities working in the arts and environmental sector.

If you could rule for a day, what would be the first thing you would do?

Begin my master plan for ecological sustainability, starting with re-aligning the political focus to be firmly on human and environmental wellbeing, the world over.

Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?

For anyone that doesn’t know me personally, I now have twins, May and Innes, and so far I’m managing to keep them and my first “baby” (Eco Drama) alive, but it’s not without much challenge!

Favourite holiday destination?

I love visiting North Berwick beach, and Gullane beach where I grew up. I also love visiting Laig beach on the Isle of Eigg, where my partner grew up. Being by the sea calms me and helps realign my energy in a way I don’t get from other places.

What was the last book you read?

I haven’t been able to pick up a book properly since the twins arrived, but I do still dip in and out of my National Geographic magazines, which always fascinate me.

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what’d it be?

Hopefully rice pudding would have all the nutritional value I’d need.

What makes you happy?

The sea, walking along beaches, my family, great children’s theatre.

What is the best advice you have ever received, and who did it come from?

When you are stressed, remember to breathe.

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