What does it really take to build a career in the arts?
We’re launching a brand-new series of Q&A events for young people recommended for ages 12+.
Creative Conversations at the Kiln is a series of fun, informal events in our theatre where PACE members can meet actors, directors, designers and other creative professionals, hear their stories and get an honest insight into life in the industry and the different paths a career in the creative industries can take.
We’ll delve into each guest’s early drama days, training, auditions, successes and rejections, favourite jobs, worst jobs, career highs and challenges, as well as the funny, unexpected or disastrous moments that come with working in the industry.
Each event will be hosted by a member of the PACE team, alongside a young co-host. The first event will be hosted by PACE Artistic Director Jenni Mason.
Our very first guests are former PACE members, Martin Quinn and Santino Smith, who have gone on to build exciting careers in the industry.
Martin Quinn has worked across theatre, film and television, including Derry Girls (Channel 4) and is now internationally recognised for playing Scotty in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. His career has taken him from youth theatre in Paisley to major stages and screens around the world, including performances with the National Theatre of Scotland, Shakespeare’s Globe, Tron Theatre, Dundee Rep, The Old Vic and London’s National Theatre.
Since graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Santino Smith has forged a varied career as an actor, writer and director. He’s worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre of Scotland, The Watermill Theatre, Tron Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket and Theatre Royal Bath, to name a few. In 2024, he came back to work with PACE for There’s No Room in Our Bathroom For Lewis Capaldi at Paisley Arts Centre. His television and film credits include Sadie (BBC4 / BBCNI / Lyric Theatre), Lynn & Lucy (BBC Films) and Sleazy Tiger (Lothian Films).
Both Santino and Martin began their creative journeys at PACE, and now they’re coming back to share the stories behind those journeys with the next generation.
Expect honest stories, plenty of laughs, industry insight, a few tales from behind the scenes and probably a bit of mischief along the way!
Event Details
Wednesday 16 September
6.00pm-8.00pm
The Kiln Creative Learning Hub
The evening will begin with time to socialise in the Kiln Café, followed by a conversation and Q&A with Martin and Santino in the intimate Kiln Theatre, with plenty of opportunity to ask questions and get involved. Afterwards, there’ll be a chance to chat informally with them and continue the conversation.
Tickets are available on a Pay What You Can basis. All proceeds from the event will go towards Exchange Theatre for Children, Young People and Families, PACE’s exciting capital project which, when completed, will operate alongside the Kiln.
Come along, grab a drink and a snack, have your questions ready and get inspired by two PACE alumni who took their first steps at PACE.
CREATIVE TEAM
Artistic Director - Jenni Mason
Pay What You Can
