New scene set for inclusive drama group as it moves headquarters

A Moray drama group that supports people with learning disabilities has found a new home – in the former headquarters of Elgin’s flood-alleviation scheme.

The Out of the Darkness T h e a t r e C o m p a n y (ODTC) is an all-inclusive educational drama organisation offering acting and singing training and a chance to take to the stage.

They have long been based on the town’s Academy Street but have now moved to a more disability-friendly building on The Wards.

To celebrate this, the group held an open day to show off their new base and gave visitors a sneak peak at their next production, Death in Dallas.

After looking for a more inclusive building for over two years, the group’s head of learning and development, Martin McAuslan, said he was excited about the future.

He said: “It’s just a fantastic building and the fact that it’s all on the ground floor means that it’s fit for disabled access.”

ODTC is a self-funded group and works in partnership with Moray Council and the University of Highlands and Islands, even offering an NC Acting and Performance Course in tandem with Moray College.

Creative director Garry Collins said: “We’re all one big happy family here.”

A special guest at the event was Lord Kevin Shinkwin, who suffers from Osteogenesis imperfecta also known as brittle bone disease. Lord Shinkwin campaigns against disability inequality and praised the group for all its hard work.