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PerforminG
Hosting
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About Me
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I'm a performer, theatre maker & facilitator with special interest in gender & the performing arts.
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This page contains details on my professional experience and training, aimed at anyone seeking to book me for work.​
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For more general information about my creative projects and companies I'm involved with, see my Projects Page.
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To listen/read/watch me talking about my work, see my Press Page.
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To check for events or performances I have coming up and book tickets, see my Linktree.
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If you're interested in hiring or working with me, contact me to talk about working together.
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If you're already working with me, or writing about my work, and need a short bio for me, please also email me directly (please don't use this page to cobble together the info you need!
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Performance & theatre making
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I have extensive experience and training in acting, devising, cabaret and drag.
I recently debuted my autobiographical comedy show: Hasbian with the support of Arts Council England, and I regularly perform as drag king Dan Load.
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"Excellent, genuine rapport with the audience."
- Audience feedback from Hasbian'
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"Watson strikes an expert balance between including the cringeworthy teenage experience we all remember, and creating a unique insight into growing up queer in the 90’s... While the tone of the piece is reflective, Hasbian feels very much like a story for our times"
- ★★★★★ A Young(ish) Perspective, on Hasbian (2024)
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"An incredibly funny, charismatic performer, who absolutely embraces the silliness of the piece, whilst bringing earnest truth throughout."
★★★★ - West End With Me on Hasbian (2024)
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"There's a collective cheer when Dan Load (Beth Watson, in a very entertaining tongue-in-cheek double drag) ... gives us the emotional pay off we all deserve, but often don’t find in a drag show."
- LGBTQ Arts Review, on Dan Load in MANdemic (2019)
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Performances include:
Hasbian at Omnibus Theatre (2024); Sing-derella at Omnibus Theatre; Hasbian at Pleasance and Camden People's Theatre (WIP 2021-2); #BinariesBegone (R&D) with Access All Areas at Old Diorama; MANdemonium at Camden People's Theatre; MANdemic at Omnibus Theatre & VAULT Festival; Hasbian (scratch performances) at The Bunker, Omnibus, The Apple Tree & The Glory; Pecs Drag King Takeover at The Southbank Centre; Bar Wotever at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern; The Unfortunate Bisexual at Edinburgh Fringe; ORGASM at Camden People's Theatre; Article 10 at Camden Fringe Festival; Heir To The Throne at Shakespeare In Shoreditch Festival.
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I love creating work that's political and/or comic, and performing in unconventional theatre and cabaret settings.
I'm interested in performance that positively activates the audience through immersion, interaction, and participation. I have a strong preference for working collaboratively and creatively, and as a neurodivergent artist I'm particularly keen to work with artists and companies who prioritise access (in the workplace and for audiences).
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Get in touch to hire me as a performer or deviser.
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Book Dan Load to perform at a drag/cabaret show.
I can also visit your R&D as an outside eye, or watch a sharing to give feedback with focus on my areas of specialism, eg: feminist & queer performance practice, consensual audience participation, and gender inclusion.
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Hosting & audience engagement​
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I host podcasts, audience discussion groups, and live performance events both in-person and online, for a wide variety of audiences.
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"Beth's instinct as a host added to how well the event flowed"
- Feedback from Queer Diary audience member (2020)
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“Inviting and well structured – everyone can be heard and the right questions are asked”
- Audience discussion of And The Rest of Me Floats at The Bush (2019)
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Experience as a host and speaker includes:
Queer Diary monthly nights at The Common Counter since 2022, plus pop-ups at: Gala Durham, DINA Sheffield, Croydonites Festival, Omnibus Theatre, Stanley Arts, online with QAF Space.
Bechdel Theatre podcast since 2016, including live podcast episodes recorded at Edinburgh Fringe & VAULT Festival.
Bechdel Circle audience discussions (at theatres including The Bush, Camden People's Theatre, The Park Theatre, Theatre503, and Wyndham's Theatre)
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Other hosting and speaking work, includes:
Hosting: Sappho Events poetry night at Common Counter; Hosting: International Women's Day showcase at Ovalhouse (with Fuel Theatre); Hosting: Drag To Watch Out For at Styx & The Two Brewers; Panel: Imagining a Freelance Theatre-makers Utopia at STAMP Connects, Shoreditch Town Hall; Panel: Verve Festival Feminist Theatre-makers panel at The Arts Theatre; Panel: Inspiring Women Symposium at Oxford Playhouse; Hosting: The Baby Question audience discussion at Croydonites Festival; Hosting: Bechdel Theatre 's launch night, comedy night, and cabaret night; and Hosting: The cabaret stage at the UK's first ever Bi Pride in 2019.
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As a compere on cabaret stages, an interviewer on podcasts, and regular facilitator of public discussions and conversations, I have a well-honed instinct for communicating with groups of people in a range of spaces.
My work as a host is driven by my enthusiasm for connecting artists and audiences, and championing the work and voices of others. I bring to all my hosting a naturally upbeat energy, empathetic listening skills, and a keen awareness of how to engage, enliven, and care for audiences.
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Hire me to host your performance event, discussion group, or panel.
Book me as a guest speaker for events or podcasts.
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Enquire about a Bechdel Circle (Bechdel Theatre's audience discussions)
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Book Dan Load to host a drag/cabaret show.
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Facilitation​
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I have created and delivered creative workshops, talks, tours for professionals, community groups, universities, youth clubs and schools on topics including gender, performance, creativity, healthy relationships, self-expression, engaging with art & LGBTQ+ history.
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Since 2021 I've been regularly running Queer Diary creative zine-making workshops in community spaces across London and the UK.
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"The exercises are imaginative and suitably challenging.
[Students] reflect on their work and practice through open and reflective discussions."​
- Lee White, Florida State University (London Theatre Academy)
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“A strong sense of camaraderie and support”
- Participant Feedback, Bechdel Theatre workshop
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Experience includes work with:
Stanley Arts; Spotlight; Bristol University; Roehampton University; Florida State University; Oregon University; Elon University; The Mono Box; The Pleasance; Ovalhouse; The Barbican Centre; City Unscripted; The Science Gallery; Kings College London; L Fest (L Fest award nomination for Best Workshop); Nomadic Youth; and Tender Arts.
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I'm available for work as a freelance facilitator.
Hire me as a facilitator to deliver, design, or bring workshops to your venue or organisation.
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Find out about Bechdel Theatre's workshops.
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Producing​
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I have produced and co-produced shows and events which have played to sold-out audiences.
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"Pushing the men out of the foreground created space for a host of other stories, notably sisterly relationships and lesbian and bisexual characters. The evening [...] made me reflect upon what moments or conversations are deemed significant enough for drama. In each of these plays, we see snatches of women’s lives, heightened moments of the ordinary... More please!"
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- Cannon Warrior review of Bechdel Testing Life at The Bunker (2017)
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Productions & events include:
Queer Diary events (with Josephine Shipp); Bechdel Testing Life (Theatre Deli, The Bunker Theatre); CREW: Rough Ready & New scratch night (Stanley Arts); MANdemonium (CPT) The Family Jewels: POWER (DIY Space); MANdemic : A Drag King Cabaret (VAULT Festival, Omnibus Theatre); The Family Jewels y2K House Party; Bechdel Theatre's launch night (Above The Arts); Bechdel Theatre Comedy Night (Cafe Koha); Drag To Watch Out For (Styx, The Two Brewers).
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I produce my own work, and collaboratively co-ordinate events as part of various collectives, companies and partnerships.
Please note: Although I have producing skills and experience, I am not seeking work as an independent freelance producer on other people's projects.
Education &Training
My training and education includes
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Croydon Emerging Writers (CREW) - Playwright course, led by Jennifer Farmer (2020). Member of peer-led writers group at Stanley Arts (2021-present)
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Soho Theatre - Cabaret & Drag Lab, led by Bourgeois & Maurice (2017-18)
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Quiplash - Disability Awareness; Queer Audio Description (2021)
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The Barbican Centre - Facilitating Creative Learning tours for schools & families; backstage & architecture tours; Disability awareness & Dementia Friend (2016-present).
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Clerkinworks at The Globe - Through The Door Improvisation (2018-19)
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Rubyyy Jones - Queerlesque (2019)
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Pinecone Performance - London Devised Theatre Intensive at Toynbee Studios (2018)
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Pecs Drag Kings - Drag Camp (2017)
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Bryony Kimmings - Autobiographical Theatre (2016)
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James Grieve/The Actors' Guild - Producing for Artists (2015)
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L​ondon School of Dramatic Art - Acting
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Goldsmiths University - Drama & English ​
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Enhanced DBS check, full CV and references are all available on request.
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I'm also personal license holder for the sale and supply of alcohol, an experienced bar and venue manager and first aider.
Contact
Notes on contact:
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Please clearly indicate rates of pay/budget if contacting me about a job OR outline your approach to fair exchange, expenses, or tangible benefit (if about an invitation outside the remit of employment).
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Please include information (or be ready to answer questions) relating to access and inclusion for any engagement.
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I sometimes juggle several projects, and I'm neurodivergent. If I don't respond, please feel free to nudge me with a follow up email. I appreciate it!
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Pronouns: As Beth, I don't mind what pronouns you use for me in person (most people use They/Them or She/Her). If writing for press or publication, just use my name. Dan Load is always He/Him - from the moment my beard is on.
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I prefer email to DMs on any social media platform - because I'm far more likely to see them at a time when I'm able to respond.
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