The Heart of Steph Smart Creative Arts: Connection, Community and Creativity.
- Steph Smart
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
In a world where we (I am generalising here!) are chronically online, it can be so easy to forget that the real world and real life exist. The real world where connection, community, and creativity can thrive. Not to say that those things do not exist online – of course they do – and for some they are a lifeline. However, I am on a mission to bring the ‘Three Cs’ back into being, physically, in the room with us.
As this is the first blog for the website, I wanted it to be something that helps gain a greater insight into the work I do, the rationale behind it, and the belief system at the core of my creative practice. Let us unpack the who, what, and why.
The Who
For those of you that do not know me, hello. I am Steph Smart, a woman on a mission. A mission to connect, commune, and create in the hopes of making a positive difference to others – all through the medium of the creative arts. Initially, I wanted to be an actor. I trained as such and aspired to win a BAFTA. Yet, when I got to my third year at university, I started directing and producing. Directing scenes, producing shows, and facilitating projects. That then led me to a Masters in Arts, Festival, and Cultural Management. It felt like a natural progression. All the while working within youth theatre and extra-curricular education, alongside theatre and film projects. Following the Edinburgh Festival 2017, I returned home to the Highlands to assume a position as a Drama Lecturer at UHI Inverness. I worked there for eight years, supporting students, developing programmes, and putting on productions. Through my time there I gained my teaching qualification in further education and became accredited through the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
Why am I telling you all this? For context. Something that struck me, particularly post-covid, is that we fell behind, we lost our way, and I think for many, we lost ourselves. There are two things that became apparent.
1. Struggles with relationships; how to connect within people, how to speak to people, how to navigate difficult conversations, how to regulate emotionally.
2. The skills decline. A shift in self-management, innovation, and social intelligence, alongside a decline in in literacy.
I was seeing this in children, teens, adolescents, and adults.
I wanted to make a difference. To support others to rebuild, reawaken, and renew. To rediscover the fundamentals of being human. That is when an idea was born.
The What
I wanted to take what I knew about drama and take it out into the community. I began developing drama classes that not only taught the skills in performance and theatre making, but that focused on the human skills for survival that we use every day, self-management, social intelligence, and innovation. [1] Additionally, I started offering 1-2-1 tuition for actors, singers, creatives, and students to empower them to better know themselves, whilst developing their knowledge and practice.
Before continuing it is important to understand what those terms mean. Developed by Skills Development Scotland, the meta skills framework came as a response to,
Technological and societal disruptions are coming at us thick and fast. Whilst we cannot predict the future, we can prepare for a future that is increasingly unpredictable.
Scotland’s citizens need the skills not only to cope with the change but to thrive in it, as well as to take advantage of change and create it themselves.[2]
Ironically, the framework was created in 2018 yet is as relevant as ever. The Framework focuses on three key skill areas, and the capabilities within.
Self-Management Defined as the ability to ‘manage the now’[3], self-management refers to the following abilities
· Focusing | Integrity | Adapting | Initiative
Social Intelligence This is about ‘connecting with the world’[4], and includes
· Communicating | Feeling | Collaborating |Leading
Innovation Centred on ‘creating our own change’[5], innovation covers
· Curiosity | Creativity | Sense-making | Critical Thinking
All capabilities that can be developed, nurtured, and integrated into a drama class, regardless of working with children, teens, or adults.
With these in mind as being at the core of the work in my drama classes, the following classes were created,
ActSmart – for children ages 4-12years.
Less of a class and more of a club, it is ideal for young children who love drama, and for those who have never given it a go! With an understanding that everyone has unique needs, ActSmart aims to develop students who are SMART; Supported, Motivated, Artistic, Resilient, and Team Players! All skills our young people need to thrive!
Drama Deconstructed – for teens.
This class is ideal for teen beginners, and experienced performers alike! Whether you are looking to develop skills, build confidence, or prepare for a future career in the industry, there is something for everyone. This class is built around the 5Cs, Creativity, Communication, Confidence, Collaboration, and Critical Thinking!
Performers’ Playground – for adults.
This class is ideal for adult beginners, and experienced performers alike! Whether you are looking to develop skills, have fun, or spend time with like-minded people, this class has something for everyone.
Practitioner Play Space – Coming soon
A class designed to support professional and aspiring actors to keep their skills fresh, and their connections alive.
Regardless of class, the aims are simple.
1. To connect with people of all ages who want to create, imagine, and play using drama.
2. To build a creative community for creative expression that supports positive mental and physical wellbeing.
3. To facilitate the development of skills within the performing arts through creativity.
The Why
But why? What is the point?It comes down to, as cheesy as it sounds, wanting to make a positive different to my little part of the world. I think about how lucky I have been with the people and places that have supported me to become who I am today, and I think everyone should have access to those opportunities. Who would not thrive if we lived in a world where we were supported, nurtured, and encouraged to be our authentic and creative selves?
It would be remiss of me to acknowledge that yes, there are some scary things happening in the world right now. Yes, it is easy to get swept up in it all and feel like ‘what’s the point?’ But the point is we are alive, we are here, and life is for living.
Creativity.
Joy.
Hope.
These are acts of rebellion.
They say no to the status quo. They function as a refusal to let negative circumstances dictate our day-to-day existence. They are a choice to prioritise humanity, connection, and resilience over fear.
I for one will pick creativity, joy and hope every day, and I hope you will join me.
Steph x
If you're interested in working with me, lets chat! Drop me an email on info@stephsmart.co.uk
References
[1] Skills Development Scotland, ‘A Guide to Meta Skills Land’, Skills Development Scotland, 2024 https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/4h0n4y45/meta-skills-land-guidance.pdf [accessed 9 March 2026]
[2] Skills Development Scotland, ‘Skills 4.0’, Skills Development Scotland, 2018 https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/what-we-do/skills-planning/skills40 [accessed 9 March 2025]
[3] Skills Development Scotland, ‘Skills 4.0 A skills model to drive Scotland’s future’, Skills Development Scotland, 2018 https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/media/pgkgrzlf/skills-4-0_a-model-to-drive-scotlands-future.pdf [accessed 9 March 2025]
[4] Ibid
[5] Ibid
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