How, When & Why - The Creation of Big Mouth!
By Holly Clarkson
Creative Director & Co-founder, Big Mouth Theatre
It was 2012 and Adrian and I were sat by a sunny lagoon in Brisbane. We were making plans for life after our travels around the globe, and the conversation always led back to building a business together. But what was important to us? What did we share a mutual passion for? It was the values and principles that we shared not only as a couple, but also from our own experiences of theatre clubs while growing up in different parts of the UK that led to the creation of Big Mouth.
Years before we met at university, we both experienced huge competitiveness within the various theatre clubs we attended as children; both children and parents vying for parts or even places in the class, which led to a toxic environment in which to learn. This had a negative impact on us both, with confidence and self-esteem taking a huge hit.
We understood, of course, that auditions would be a regular occurrence if we were to attempt careers as actors. But what if we didn’t wish to be jobbing actors? What if we didn’t enjoy the pressure of competing with our newly found friends, yet thoroughly enjoyed connecting with others over the creative process and this was what was helping us to feel more comfortable and confident? Surely, if drama was taught differently, without the need for competition, it would help to engage, enthuse and inspire, resulting in a more confident, well-rounded individual.
Looking back at our experiences, both Adrian and I felt strongly that this type of drama-exploration was needed.
With no previous business experience, we successfully applied to the Prince’s Trust and enrolled on to their Business Enterprise Program. Here, we learnt how to write our very first business plan, the basics of creating a brand, book-keeping and amongst many other things, advice on how to turn our big idea into a working business model. We were also introduced to our wonderful mentor who we still meet with on a regular basis and whose advice and friendship has proved invaluable.
Armed with our newfound skills, along with our wealth of experience working with hundreds of children for Camp America and making magic for the Walt Disney corporation, the first Big Mouth Theatre after school club was held at our local village school in The New Forest in February 2013.
Word spread and clubs that we were opening at other schools in the area filled fast. This was clearly a concept that children and parents were looking for and it demonstrated that there was a demand for non-competitive, fun-filled children’s drama clubs in the area.
The time came for an extra pair of hands to help coach our clubs, and we began recruiting additional coaches to allow us to open new clubs at schools in other areas, together with helping with our well-attended drama camps in the school holidays.
With clubs running smoothly, we desperately wanted to expand our business model and further utilise our theatre degrees, and so, in September 2014, our Academy was born. The Saturday sessions based in the New Forest, where the children worked together to rehearse a scripted play, would follow the same ethos; the parts would be assigned fairly and opportunities shared. This concept was another that proved successful over the years, with the company being a 2015 finalist in the What’s On for Children Awards, and so another branch was opened in our Eastleigh area.
When Covid hit, all our clubs were forced to close. It was a scary and unsettling time for all, but Adrian and I were determined that this wasn’t the end for Big Mouth. We’d come too far.
We were determined to use our time wisely, and even with our 2-year-old daughter at home with us, we decided to invest in a business development coach and work hard on developing our message and marketing skills.
Throughout the closure, we also furthered our training in coaching and website design, and believe that these ongoing personal developments, along with our consistent online presence and incredibly loyal customer-base, were behind our successful re-opening, when others around us were sadly closing their businesses for good.
Our signature Saturday sessions, now simply entitled ‘Big Mouth Theatre’, have developed into a concept that provides the children with the creative freedom to create their own shows, with our plans created in-house, and coaches there to guide and inspire them.
Having trialed other ideas over the years, Adrian and I have recognised, not only our personal strengths more, but the strengths of the company as a whole.
Big Mouth Theatre is more than a drama club; it’s a family which embraces creativity and welcomes individuality. It’s a place to connect and have fun.
The past 10 years have provided us both with the skills, knowledge and experience to move the business forward; a solid foundation on which to build the next stage. It’s an exciting time for Big Mouth, and we look forward to moving forwards with you!