BA (Hons) Acting for Stage & Screen alumnus Tyler Gracie is preparing to take the stage next February with his original production Happy Lad, a theatrical spoken-word and experimental rap performance exploring masculinity, debuting at the Arc, Stockton Arts Centre. Happy Lad has been created with the support of a residency at the Arc and with funding from Arts Council England and Tyler’s Sunday for Sammy Grant, a financial award created to help support young performers.
As part of the development process for Happy Lad, Tyler will hold conversations in prison and with young men in Hartlepool, through a residency at local gyms. Speaking of the production, he said his work will examine “what it means to be a young working-class man trying to be happy. It’s a piece that meshes different styles to create something a bit different but still accessible to the less theatrically inclined.”
Alongside preparing for his first solo show since graduating this summer, he has taken a role as an Assistant Producer for Hartlepool-based creative producers SIDEQUEST, which will see him perform at the organisation’s upcoming live art experience, SIDESHOW, this September. Speaking of his role at SIDEQUEST, Tyler said, “as assistant producer, I handle bits and pieces of everything. I look at budgets, communications with companies and clients, pay invoices, amongst other things.”
Tyler describes SIDESHOW, which will take place at Tryin’ HQ in Hartlepool, as “a live art experience which incorporates a variety of different art forms to create a lovely little art party. I am involved as an assistant producer, rap and spoken word performer and I will also be the person selling the shots! I have been involved in this project since the get go, helping to piece it all together.”
Described as “an absolute success story in himself” by SIDEQUEST Producer and Founder Aaron Bowman, Tyler also coordinates and performs at the group’s Pop-Up Cardboard Museum of Natural History From the Future, a playful, hands-on and free interactive art installation designed as a playful, time-travelling exploration of biodiversity, climate action and imagination, built entirely out of recycled cardboard, which has activated at MIMA, Preston Park and Hartlepool Museum.
Speaking of how his time on his degree has impacted his career, Tyler said, “My time at the Northern School of Art has helped to shape both my individual process through facilitated independent work as well as my ability to network and make meaningful connections with people in the industry. It has also helped my collaborative skillset to grow.”
For future steps, Tyler said, “I am also working on a few personal music-based projects in the background, as well as looking into getting some extra qualifications. Later this year I’ll also be an elf in Dobbie’s Garden Centre so that’s pretty cool! Obviously, I will also be performing at SIDESHOW on Sept 25th!”
Book tickets to SIDESHOW here
Find out more about SIDEQUEST on their website:SQ Website
See more of Tyler’s work on his website: tyygrr website:
If you are interested in a degree in acting make sure you check out BA (Hons) Acting for Stage & Screen here.