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thesolarbear.bsky.social
Solar Bear
@thesolarbear.bsky.social
110 followers 81 following 78 posts
Deaf artists leading the way - theatre, digital, outreach. #deafyouththeatre #deaftalent #deafculture #deaftheatre #deafdigitalart 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 www.solarbear.org.uk
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thesolarbear.bsky.social
At Solar Bear, accessibility is at the heart of everything we do. 🌟
We caption all our video content—and whenever possible, we go further by including sign language, captions, and voice-over. Plus, our media hubs provide full transcripts for maximum inclusivity.
Bright gradient background with overlapping speech bubbles in yellow, orange, red, and purple. Bold white text reads: “Captioning Awareness Week 2025.” Smaller text says: “10–16 November #CAW2025.” At the bottom, faint pink text reads: “Celebrating 25 Years.”
November 12, 2025 at 1:16 PM
thesolarbear.bsky.social
Only 5 days to go until the premiere of the Solar Reels films at GMAC. We can’t wait to share these powerful stories with you.
Over the course of just two weeks, our three filmmakers developed, filmed, and edited their short films from the ground up — an incredible achievement.
A warm, intimate scene set in a cozy café with exposed brick walls and soft string lights. Two people sit across from each other at a small round table, holding hands over a simple centerpiece of white flowers in a glass vase. The image is divided into three vertical panels, creating a triptych effect. At the top, the names “Benedetta Zanetti,” “Bea Webster,” and “Petre Dobre” are displayed. At the bottom, bold text reads “THE UNSPOKEN PATH,” accompanied by production credits and the Solar Bear logo.
November 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
thesolarbear.bsky.social
Join us for the Premiere of the Solar Reels films at the Glasgow Media Access Centre. Nov 14 from 6pm to 8pm

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/solar-hub-...
Solar Hub - Solar Reels premiere
Celebrate the premiere of the Solar Reels films at Solar Hub — Q&A with the makers and a chance to network.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Reposted by Solar Bear
euansguide.com
The Euan’s Guide Access Survey is open! 💬

We want to hear from disabled people, friends, families + carers about what’s working - and what’s not - when it comes to accessibility.

Your voice really matters 💪

The survey takes about 30 mins. Help make change happen 👉 buff.ly/877R2du

#Accessibility
A graphic design with a dark teal background and the Euan's Guide Access Survey logo. Text reads 'have your say on disabled access!' and www.EuansGuide.com/AccessSurvey
November 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM
thesolarbear.bsky.social
A massive thank you to Owen Sutcliffefor delivering a brilliant storytelling workshop with Deaf Youth Theatre! ✨

Next week we’re heading to see his play Óran at the @citizenstheatre 🎭

To get involved email – alice@solarbear.org.uk
#DeafYouthTheatre #DYT #Storytelling #CitizensTheatre
A group of four people sit in a semi-circle on black chairs in a theatre-style room with dark walls. They appear relaxed and engaged in conversation. The person on the left is gesturing with both hands while speaking, holding a blue notebook. The second person sits casually with legs crossed, smiling. The third person playfully reaches an arm toward them, also smiling. The fourth person sits comfortably with legs crossed, watching the interaction. The room has two small high windows and minimal decor.
October 29, 2025 at 12:08 PM
thesolarbear.bsky.social
🎬 Exciting news! The 3 short films created during our Solar Reels Film School are almost ready to share with the world — we’re just adding the finishing touch: captions! 💬✨
Image: The top section is yellow with blue text reading “The Conversation,” overlaid on an image of a tree and a pedestrian bridge. The middle section is purple with a large TV showing static, and the word “STATIC” in bold white letters across it. The bottom section is blue, showing a person’s hands on a café table with a coffee cup and flowers, with yellow text reading “The Unspoken Path.”
October 22, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Reposted by Solar Bear
brianjaffa.bsky.social
Essential reading from The Herald’s theatre critic Neil Cooper on the escalating crisis at Cumbernauld Theatre & why its disappearance from the cultural landscape would be “devastating” given its “rich artistic history.” @cnauldtheatre.bsky.social
brianjaffa.bsky.social Brian Ferguson @brianjaffa.bsky.social · 27d
Exclusive: Elaine C Smith, Alan Cumming, Forbes Masson, Blythe Duff & Colin McCredie back campaign to save Cumbernauld Theatre from closure as more than 40 jobs hang in the balance.
www.heraldscotland.com/news/2555233...
October 20, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Reposted by Solar Bear
thestage.co.uk
ICYMI: Three-quarters of jobs secured by creatives in the past 18 months have been thanks to a friend or contact, according to figures from BECTU.

Read more 👇
Majority of creative jobs go to contacts in 'closed' process - BECTU
Three-quarters of jobs secured by creatives in the past 18 months have been thanks to a friend or contact, according to figures from BECTU
www.thestage.co.uk
October 18, 2025 at 7:06 PM
thesolarbear.bsky.social
✨ Stepping into Technicolour ✨
This week we took a big step forward with a work-in-development sharing at the RCS. Thank you to everyone who came along and for the generous feedback – it means the world 💛
Two performers sit at a small table on a dark stage, each with a suitcase beside them, as the audience watches. A lively post-show discussion with performers and creatives seated on stage, facing an engaged audience. A wide shot from above showing a full audience and panel discussion on stage. Close-up of two performers at a table with suitcases, mid-performance under bright stage lights.
October 1, 2025 at 2:42 PM
thesolarbear.bsky.social
🐻 No real bears at our stand (sorry!) — but even better… the brilliant Jamie Rea and Klarissa Webster will be at the Solar Bear Freshers Fair stand @rcsofficial.bsky.social They’ll be sharing all the amazing things Solar Bear does and the many ways students can get involved.
September 10, 2025 at 1:31 PM
thesolarbear.bsky.social
A big thank you to We Are Crew HQ for hosting a fantastic Careers Day.

We:

🎭 Joined workshops in Costume, Production Design & SFX
💡 Heard from trainees about career pathways into the industry
🎥 Watched The Conjuring followed by a Q&A with HODs

A brilliant mix of insight, learning and networking
A person smiling and pointing up at a large vintage King Kong movie poster hanging on a patterned wall. A sign for The Conjuring: Last Rites displayed against a bright pink wall, with plants and decorations in the background. Four Solar Reels graduates standing together indoors, smiling at the camera in front of a chandelier and colourful wall designs. A group selfie outdoors in a courtyard with fairy lights and plants. Four Solar Reels graduates and a staff member smile happily at the camera.
September 9, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Reposted by Solar Bear
ytartsscot.bsky.social
Do you want to inspire early-career writers and help craft new, cutting-edge theatre? Apply to be Lead Artist in Scottish Youth Theatre’s Trajectories New Writers, their latest early-career artist development programme buff.ly/C3fhoQ2 (deadline - 10 Sep 2025)
September 8, 2025 at 7:01 AM
thesolarbear.bsky.social
This online event brings together arts organisations, producers, and Scotland’s deaf talent 💡 Expect a short but packed session full of ideas, creative possibilities, and practical tips. Creative Scotland
🔗 Sign up via Eventbrite - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1317202170...
Poster for Solar Bear Connects. The background is pink with circular patterns. At the top, text reads: “Solar Bear Connects – Fostering artistic connections with Scotland’s deaf talent.” A QR code is displayed on the right-hand side. Below, white text reads: “Free online event, Wed 24th Sept, 1.00 – 2.30pm.” At the bottom, there is a photo of five people standing in a circle, smiling and connecting with a piece of string. Text overlay reads: “Sign up on Eventbrite.” Logos for Creative Scotland and Solar Bear appear in the bottom-right corner.
September 5, 2025 at 11:45 AM
thesolarbear.bsky.social
✨ STEPPING INTO TECHNICOLOUR ✨

Over 2 weeks — a film about life, being deaf, queerness, politics, family, and dreams… all set on a train 🚆

We shared a glimpse of the performance with a small audience — and it’s no exaggeration to say they were blown away. 💥
Image 4 Two performers sit at a table, both wearing blue beanies and denim jackets. They look outward with expressive faces, while rehearsal notes, props, and snacks are scattered across tables in the foreground.
September 3, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Reposted by Solar Bear
ytartsscot.bsky.social
Applications are open for Capital Theatres' First Steps, a fully supported R&D residency created especially for early career theatre-makers in Scotland buff.ly/EMnbfBL (deadline - 12 Sep 2025)
Capital Theatres: Open to Ideas - First Steps Residency - YTAS
A new residency, as part of Capital Theatres' Open to Ideas programme. Specifically for early-career theatremakers, the offer includes five days space, two
buff.ly
September 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM
thesolarbear.bsky.social
✨ Your Deaf Youth Theatre Team 2024–25 ✨
Craig McCulloch & Benny Zanetti
Are you Deaf / CODA / Hard of Hearing / Deafblind aged 11–21? 🎭 Come and get involved!

📩 To find out more, email: jamie@solarbear.org.uk
Two smiling people stand together in front of a blue background under a graphic spotlight. The text above them reads: “Deaf Youth Theatre Co-Directors, 2024/25.” On the left is Craig McCulloch, wearing glasses and a navy blue jumper. On the right is Benny Zanetti, wearing a black top with denim overalls. Labels in coloured boxes identify them: “Craig McCulloch” in red and “Benny Zanetti” in blue. In the top left corner, the Deaf Youth Theatre (DYT) logo is visible.
August 27, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Reposted by Solar Bear
scotnational.bsky.social
Meet this New Scot, Vladyslav Shopynskyi. Forced to flee his home in Ukraine after Russia's invasion, he is now a UK chess champion at just 7 years old🏆👏

Read his story: www.thenational.scot/news/world/2...
August 27, 2025 at 7:07 AM
thesolarbear.bsky.social
Join us. Sign up or learn more - www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1317202170...
August 25, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Reposted by Solar Bear
scotnational.bsky.social
Tomorrow's front page 📰

Refugees are welcome here: New series highlighting their positive stories in Scotland begins
August 24, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Reposted by Solar Bear
scotnational.bsky.social
Next week, The National is launching a series highlighting the positive stories of refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland 👇
We're highlighting positive stories of refugees in Scotland in our new series
www.thenational.scot
August 22, 2025 at 8:10 AM
thesolarbear.bsky.social
✨ The Super Team Jamie Rea and Drew Taylor-Wilson are back in the building for 2 weeks of RnD on an original theatre performance: Stepping Into Technicolour 🎭🌈
We’re also thrilled to welcome Drya Maria to the cast! 💫
Two smiling people stand in front of a blurred, speeding train backdrop. One wears a patterned jumper, orange hat, glasses, and has a bright blue beard; the other has curly hair and a light shirt. Text in the top left corner reads: “Stepping Into Technicolour.” A group of four people sit around tables in a rehearsal or workshop room. Papers, notebooks, and water bottles are spread across the tables. One person at the back gestures, while the others read or listen. On the wall, handwritten notes are pinned up, one reading “BIG QUESTIONS.”
August 20, 2025 at 11:35 AM
thesolarbear.bsky.social
JOIN US - DRAMA WORKSHOP
This Saturday part of Edinburgh Deaf Festival
🕐 1 – 3pm
📍 49 Albany St, Edinburgh EH1 3QY
🎟️ Pay what you can
👥 Age 16+
edinburghdeaffestival.com/mec-events/d...
A group of nine people stand in a semi-circle in a drama studio, laughing and smiling. Some are signing, others are mid-gesture. The mood is playful and inclusive, with a black curtain and wall in the background A woman holding papers speaks while a group of four participants stand in front of her, smiling and signing. The scene feels interactive and warm, with a black stage curtain behind them. A small group of people in warm clothing stand in a semi-circle facing a woman who is signing expressively. Colourful paper signs are pinned to the wall behind her.
August 13, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Reposted by Solar Bear
ytartsscot.bsky.social
As part of Edinburgh Deaf Festival, Solar Bear's @thesolarbear.bsky.social Craig McCulloch and Amy Murray (from Netflix’s 'The Witcher: Blood Origin') are running a free drama workshop on Sat 16 August 2025 buff.ly/aCmG3gn
August 13, 2025 at 11:46 AM
thesolarbear.bsky.social
🎭 Join us at the Edinburgh Deaf Festival ! 🌍✨

We’re hosting a vibrant networking event connecting deaf and hearing creatives from Scotland and around the world!

Link - edinburghdeaffestival.com/mec-events/d...
Image - Poster for a "Deaf & Hearing Networking Event" as part of the Edinburgh Deaf Festival. The background features hand-drawn icons of people connected by colorful arrows, representing communication and networking. Text details: Header: "Deaf & Hearing Networking Event" Date & Time: "Thurs 14th August 5PM – 7PM" Location: "Deaf Action, 49 Albany St, Edinburgh EH1 3QY" Call to Action: "Sign-up Now" (with a QR code included) Highlights at the bottom: "Experience Edin Deaf Fest / Connect with deaf artists" "Learn sign language / Expand your network" Logos included: Solar Bear and Edinburgh Deaf Festival The color scheme uses soft blues and pinks for contrast and emphasis.
July 30, 2025 at 12:02 PM