10 years of non zero one

Meet Dave: autobiography writer, reluctant optimist, and mini-religion-starter. Here's how our paths came to cross... In October 2021, nearly a year and a half after our participatory artwork DAWNS took place, we got an email from someone who had taken part. 'I had been slowly writing an autobiography and this event motivated me to finish it and massively influenced the entire book' was one of the things that email said. Another was that the person in question had started their own 'mini-religion of sorts' continuing the practice of getting up before dawn and watching the dark turn to light, on the first of the month, every month, ever since DAWNS. Dave, who has had a 'complicated life' by his own description, knows what a dark times feel like. But now he's focused on the future. Listen to the chat we had with Dave where we learned about his book, his monthly Dark to Light walks, and about how the future is looking bright. DARK TO LIGHT: An autobiography (of sorts) In this episode Dave tells us about his self-published book, available top buy on Amazon. ADVISORY: This book contains themes which some readers might find distressing. If you have any questions about the book before you buy, please reach out to us by email. Buy online: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09KCMBN8L/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0 DAWN WALKS Inspired by Dave's invitation in the episode to join him on his dawn walks? Get in touch with us via our contact info and we'll put you in touch! Dave also mentions his own direct contact details in the episode too. Find out more about DAWNS: www.dawns.live

It's a SPECIAL episode of the non zero one podcast this time around, as this has nothing to do with the last 10 years at all! It's about DAWNS, the mass-participation, live-music, daylight-welcoming extravaganza that over 7,000 people took part in on 16 May 2020. Sarah, who was on parental leave for most of the DAWNS creative development process, puts on her interviewer's hat to speak to Cat, Fran and John about how lockdown changed DAWNS, what it's like to try and make live music when your musicians are hundreds of miles apart, and why DAWNS fan art might just be the best thing ever created. ------------------ Learn more about DAWNS at www.dawns.live. Music by James Bulley. www.nonzeroone.com

Lyn Gardner is one of UK’s foremost theatre critics and an Associate Editor of The Stage. Lyn reviewed 'would like to meet' in 2010 and asks, “How have your individual jobs in British theatre influenced your work at non zero one?” Like many people in theatre, everyone at non zero one has other jobs – this is what allows the company to work in the way that it does. In this episode we talk about wearing different hats, how to know when to borrow something good, and how to know when to leave something behind. How have bigger organisations helped us, a little one? Who learned that the professionals are making it up as they go? And how easy is it to take your artist’s hat off? ------------------ As non zero one turns 10, we asked eight people who have been part of our journey to pose us a question. We reflect on lessons we’ve learned from collaborators, mentors, and unexpected places, focusing on a different question in each 20-minute episode. Music by James Bulley. www.nonzeroone.com

Dr Robina Shah, Consultant Chartered Psychologist, former High Sheriff of Greater Manchester and a woman chosen to become a statue in 'put her forward' (2018) asks, “What are the characteristics that underpin the spirit of non zero one – specifically, how you make other people feel part of your team?” This episode is about collaborating, and the ways in which our collaborations with creatives and production professionals have moved our practice on significantly. What has working alongside others shown us about our own approach to making work? What does “starting at the beginning” mean? And how do you collaborate with an audience? ------------------ As non zero one turns 10, we asked eight people who have been part of our journey to pose us a question. We reflect on lessons we’ve learned from collaborators, mentors, and unexpected places, focusing on a different question in each 20-minute episode. Music by James Bulley. www.nonzeroone.com

Sheila Ghelani, artist, maker and collaborator with non zero one on 'take-hold' (2018) and 'let’s take a walk' (2016) asks, “Who / what are your biggest influences as makers?” In this episode we talk about some of the individuals, companies (there are a lot) and experiences that have changed our perceptions of what we can do, and what we should do. How has undergoing therapy helped us think about the potential of our work? Do we appreciate the impact teachers we had as teenagers have had on the art we want to make? ------------------ As non zero one turns 10, we asked eight people who have been part of our journey to pose us a question. We reflect on lessons we’ve learned from collaborators, mentors, and unexpected places, focusing on a different question in each 20-minute episode. Music by James Bulley. www.nonzeroone.com

Annie Reilly, Head of Producing at the National Trust, commissioned 'put her forward' in 2018 and asks, “What does interactive mean?” It’s the big one. In this episode we face the question that occupies a thousand PhDs. In 18 minutes. Why did we decide that interaction was going to be part of everything we did? Does the duty of care that makers of interactive work have towards participants have to involve being nice? And how is ‘immersive’ different? Today’s answers may well be different to tomorrow’s... ------------------ As non zero one turns 10, we asked eight people who have been part of our journey to pose us a question. We reflect on lessons we’ve learned from collaborators, mentors, and unexpected places, focusing on a different question in each 20-minute episode. Music by James Bulley. www.nonzeroone.com

Tamara Harvey, Associate Director at the Bush Theatre during non zero one’s 'this is where we got to when you came in' (2011), and current Artistic Director of Theatre Clwyd asks, “When was the first moment?” In this episode we take it back to the start, the moments of learning that blew our tiny minds. We pay tribute to some of the people and experiences that helped us realise what ‘theatre’ could be, and when it was ok for something not to be ‘theatre’ at all. Why was six the magic number? Is £120 enough for a ‘production budget’? And if you’re making a show, do you actually have to be in it? ------------------ As non zero one turns 10, we asked eight people who have been part of our journey to pose us a question. We reflect on lessons we’ve learned from collaborators, mentors, and unexpected places, focusing on a different question in each 20-minute episode. Music by James Bulley. www.nonzeroone.com

Dan Rebellato, writer, lecturer and former Head of Drama and Theatre at Royal Holloway, University of London asks, “When you’ve taught theatre, what have you learned about theatre?” Teaching is hard. In this episode we look at how teaching at university, alongside peers, and in workshops has forced us to try and articulate our own processes better – how do you get to a place where you understand what you’re doing well enough to make that useful for someone else? And how do you help someone who doesn’t want to do things the way you do them? ------------------ As non zero one turns 10, we asked eight people who have been part of our journey to pose us a question. We reflect on lessons we’ve learned from collaborators, mentors, and unexpected places, focusing on a different question in each 20-minute episode. Music by James Bulley. www.nonzeroone.com

Dr Emma Brodzinski, a Senior Lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London, introduced us to the work of some of our biggest theatre influences, before non zero one even existed. Emma asks, “What tools / structures / personal qualities have supported and enabled you to collaborate as a group of 6, 5, 4, 3 or 2?” This episode brings up the question that has never gone away: how should we organise ourselves? We remain a company of artists first and foremost, and it’s a challenge to find structures that make space for everybody’s opinions, ideas and desires. We talk about some of the people who have helped us navigate some of the big questions: What is non zero one, other than the people in it? Can you build yourself around the art you want to make? Do we actually have to like each other?? ------------------ As non zero one turns 10, we asked eight people who have been part of our journey to pose us a question. We reflect on lessons we’ve learned from collaborators, mentors, and unexpected places, focusing on a different question in each 20-minute episode. Music by James Bulley. www.nonzeroone.com

Rubaiyath Reza, president of the 2018/19 chapter of Amnesty International UAE and collaborator-participant in let’s take a walk (2016) asks, “How do non zero one ensure that you continue to be inclusive and diverse in your castings and the work that you produce?” In this episode we look at collaborating with people who are different to us, and how those differences have made our work better. We also examine some of the barriers that our type of interactive, tech-heavy work introduces for people, ways in which we’ve approached that in the past, and the distance we still have to go. Does being an artist mean you need to hear the sound of your own voice? How can you use that position to listen, rather than talk? ------------------ As non zero one turns 10, we asked eight people who have been part of our journey to pose us a question. We reflect on lessons we’ve learned from collaborators, mentors, and unexpected places, focusing on a different question in each 20-minute episode. Music by James Bulley. www.nonzeroone.com