Build Without Breaking flips the script on commonly accepted practices that undermine performers mental health, wellbeing and creativity - and spotlights practical alternatives for creating exceptional work without sacrificing the people who make it.
A new Leeds-based performing arts interview series, Build Without Breaking, launches this October, aiming to challenge and transform damaging industry practices. The series will feature candid conversations with prominent industry leaders, offering insights and advocating for healthier, more sustainable approaches to artistic training and professional development.
Inspired by the host's strong opposition to the pervasive drama school training adage, "we break you down to build you up again," Build Without Breaking seeks to dismantle the notion that emotional or psychological distress is a necessary component of artistic growth.
The series will explore facets of the performing arts, including mental health, equitable practices, and supportive environments, to promote a more positive and empowering future for artists.
Research from the Actors Trust charity revealed that poor mental health, including cases of depression, body dysmorphia and anxiety are above the national average among people in the performing arts.
The performing arts industry has long been recognised for its intense pressures, unpredictable career paths, and the glorification of overworking, which can lead to toxic environments for performers. Many within the industry struggle with mental health, yet often receive little support or recognition.
The idea that performers need to torture and overwork themselves in order to be committed to the craft is outdated and ridiculous
Said Florence St Leger, the host and founder of Build Without Breaking.
The understanding that who we are and all of our previous experience needs to be stripped away for us to become a βreal artisteβ is damaging, and the trope of the βtortured artistβ is exhausting to say the least. I started thinking βwhy do we put up with this? Why not challenge it directly and use it as a catalyst to start something good?β And that's what sparked the idea for the show
Season one of Build Without Breaking will feature in-depth interviews with actors, directors, educators, and other influential figures who are actively working to reshape the performing arts landscape.
Through a lot of honest experiences and some deeply personal stories, the show covers topics that explore alternative training methodologies, address power imbalances, promote diversity and inclusion, and advocate for better mental health resources. The series aims to provide actionable insights and foster a community dedicated to positive change. The series launch comes at a time when more and more people are coming forward with their experiences during training and on the job. Now more than ever, there is an increasing awareness and discussion about the need for safer and more inclusive spaces within the performing arts.
About Build Without Breaking:
Build Without Breaking is an independent interview series dedicated to fostering a healthier and more equitable performing arts industry globally. Through conversations with leading professionals, the series aims to challenge harmful traditional practices and promote supportive, sustainable approaches to artistic development and training. A Canary Studios production.
About Florence St Leger:
Florence is a queer, non-binary and neurodivergent actor and award-nominated voice actor.
Born and raised in Bristol, United Kingdom, she studied Acting at Fourth Monkey Actor Training Company in London and has been working in the performing arts since 2015. She specialises in comedy and children's entertainment and has appeared in video game titles such as Denshattack! and Knights of Fiona.
