When you are chairing a job interview and explain to the incoming candidate how we are going to proceed, it’s common to receive a polite nod of nervous understanding before the panel members start their questions. When instead, the candidate gives a huge smile and says ‘Awesome!‘ then you know this is no ordinary job applicant.
This was how I first met Amy McCreadie back in 2019.
She got the job of course, and came to work with me on an established research project concerned with end of life issues around the world. In this she was an instant success and quickly gained the admiration and respect of the whole team.
Unfailingly positive, she took on multifarious tasks, from project administration and finance, to public engagement and event organisation. She learned new skills in videography, assisted with the production of online learning materials, all the while supporting the research staff and postgraduate students across the whole group.
When the project came to an end, I was delighted that the University retained Amy in employment and provided her with a platform for further development. Since we haven’t worked together as colleagues for a few years, I thought now would be good time to catch up with all she is doing. Amy is undoubtedly an excellent candidate for my unfolding series of interviews with remarkable people in Dumfries and Galloway.
I hope you’ll agree with me that what she has to say here is hugely inspiring and demonstrates what it is possible for young people to contribute to the life and times of our region – not only in the world of paid employment, but also through creative engagement and service in the local community. The energy is awesome!
1. Tell me when and where you grew up, and something about your early years.
I grew up in Dundee and lived in the same place right up until I moved away for University at 19 years old. I started dancing from a very young age – mostly Highland dancing with some more ‘modern’ as well. I loved learning the routines and performing, but my favourite thing was making up our own dances. So me and my friends at primary school were forever putting on shows and performances for our families, and every sleepover included some form of dance routine or skit!
When I was around 9 or 10 years old I went to a friend’s birthday party at Dundee Ice Rink, and instantly fell in love with skating. I begged my parents to let me start taking lessons, and was immediately hooked! Every weekend we were at the rink, which eventually turned to every weekend and one night a week, then two nights a week, then two mornings before school were added in as well – my parents were the most incredible support and enabled me to throw myself into the sport. I had amazing coaches, attended classes and summer camps, and eventually worked my way up to competitive figure skating, travelling the country and beyond for regular competitions and events. For over five years I practically lived at the ice rink and met some incredible people.
Eventually though, I found my way back to the dance studio after a summer camp at Camperdown Park with the Scottish Dance Theatre (at which we created an interactive performance involving me dancing in the Lemur Enclosure while the animals swung in the trees past my head!)
I ended up joining the youth division of the Scottish Dance Theatre, based at Dundee Rep. From there I learned about choreography, contemporary dance, fitness, discipline, and trust – not only in myself but in dancing, travelling, and performing with a team of some of the best friends I ever had.
2. Which schools did you go to and how do you think they may have influenced your future path in life?
I started at a tiny, rural primary near Dundee which, at the time, had about 80 pupils in the whole school. I was in a class with the same 12 people throughout my seven years there. It was a very familiar and comfortable place to be; same teachers, administrative staff, dinner ladies, headteacher – rarely any surprises or big changes. It was certainly a place where I felt very secure and settled, and was given all the opportunities I could ask for. It’s where I sang a solo in my first ever show (Jacob Marley in Scrooge!) and performed at the church services, recited poems and won a Leng Medal for singing. I also started playing the cello. It definitely inspired the musical and creative part of me, something I’ve continued to pursue in later years.
It was a completely different world for me in secondary school – a large inner-city school 45 minutes away from home by bus, and with over 1200 pupils. The initial shock to the system in first (and even second) year was quite startling, and I did struggle at first, feeling very out of place and unsure of my new surroundings. The constants that kept me grounded were that I could still continue my cello lessons, and they had a first rate PE Department so I could throw myself into athletics, basketball, hockey, and dancing. Over the years, I joined a huge number of clubs. In athletics, my favourites were hurdles and high jump, so much so that I would compete every sports day, and eventually at county and national sports competitions. Once I was in fourth year, I was able to start assisting with coaching the club members, and uncovered a love of teaching and seeing others learn and flourish in sport.
Ultimately, the sheer number of activities I was exposed to and the opportunities I was so lucky to be given at school have meant I’ve never been afraid to try something new, and explore new passions.
3. What was it that brought you to Dumfries and what were your early impressions?
I moved to Dumfries in 2013, following a gap year after leaving sixth year and working full time at a bakery in Dundee. I had been given an unconditional offer to study primary teaching at the University of Glasgow in 2012, but had deferred a year to give me more time to save up some money and take a bit of a break from studying. Dumfries felt worlds away from Dundee – it’s only just over 2 hours down the road but was somewhere I knew nothing about, let alone visited. At first, I had no idea what to expect. I think I was stuck trying to compare it to what I knew – Dundee – so in my first year I wasn’t all that appreciative of what Dumfries had to offer. I was content to stay in student halls, go to the same three bars we always went to, and to the campus. However, spreading my wings a little in my second year and finding somewhere to live outside of university halls was a breath of fresh air. We were exploring not just Dumfries but the region as a whole; the hidden gems where we would go hiking, find new cafes and restaurants, and what community groups and clubs were on offer. Dumfries and Galloway is a fantastic place to discover so many wonderful and unique places. It was then that I joined Dumfries Musical Theatre Company (DMTC) which is one of the biggest reasons I ended up staying in the region after graduation.
4. You decided not to become a primary school teacher but remained committed to education. Can you explain that a bit and tell us what you did first on graduation?
I’ve always had a desire to work with people. I love the interactions with others, meeting people, sharing stories and experiences. Whether it was coaching athletics, volunteering at Brownies, or work experience at my local Primary School, I was always drawn to teaching or coaching in one way or another. So, on paper, a career as a primary teacher seemed perfect for me and I went to study Primary Education at the University of Glasgow. In my second year I was successful in securing an internship with the College of Social Science’s Employability Team. Then my entire career path changed. My internship was a fantastic experience; I was learning new skills in communications, mentoring, and networking, making new connections with staff and students, and was given control of my own website and platform to support other students. It opened an entirely new world for me, and sparked something that I hadn’t quite found in school teaching.
When I graduated, I really wanted to stay in Dumfries, and I was so excited to find that Dumfries and Galloway Council were looking for an Employability Link Worker. With this new role I was helping young people and adults build their CVs and portfolios, find training and new skills or passions, and ultimately support them into sustainable employment or further education. It wasn’t always easy. I worked with some young people who had faced so much hardship and struggle, but connecting with them, supporting them onto a new path, and helping them discover new skills or passions is something I’ll treasure forever.
5. Tell us more about DMTC, how your involvement there has evolved over the years and what makes it so appealing to you?
My first ever production with DMTC was The End of the Pier Show in 2014, at the Brigend Theatre. I was in the chorus and incredibly nervous – I’d danced before but singing, dancing and acting all at once was an entirely different experience! I was so grateful that the company is filled with such welcoming, friendly, supportive people and it was such a fun and relaxed experience. It wasn’t just the on-stage excitement and the performing that had me hooked. DMTC is such a sociable group of people, there were after-show parties, car treasure hunts, BBQs, and trips to see other companies perform – I felt so completely at home.
Our next show was Anything Goes in 2015 and by that point I’d got to know a lot of the cast and directing team very well and my secret was out – I was a dancer in a past life, and DMTC was looking for a choreographer! Another brand-new experience for me, choreographing an entire show, but the production team were incredibly supportive and I was excited for the new challenge! It was hard work and involved many sleepless nights but I was so proud to be able to do something like this, alongside my very first ‘named’ part in a show as one of Reno’s Angels which meant I actually had a couple of lines as well!
Following my first experience as choreographer, I was elected to join the DMTC Committee. I was able to learn about the inner workings of the company – the structure of how the company is run, the constitution, AGM’s and elections, the financials, buildings management and regulations, and how we hired out our theatre, The Brigend. It was a very steep learning curve for me but it meant the uncovering of an entirely different world yet again, and being able to make real change. I’ve seen the planning and progress, not only of our theatre and the ongoing restoration and maintenance, but also the company as a whole – producing new and exciting shows, creating opportunities for people to build confidence and learn new skills, and reach more and more audiences from beyond Dumfries. I was able to learn from the committee and contribute my own skills and knowledge too – in publicity, social media, and web design.
Since joining DMTC, I’ve choreographed 10 shows, been a committee member for over eight years, learned about sound, lighting, stage management, costumes, props and scenery, and the entire production process from show selection to opening night! I’m now about to face what I consider to be my greatest challenge yet – directing a show! I’m directing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat this year, to be performed at the Dumfries Baptist Church from the 4th to 10th November.
6. In due course you moved back to the University of Glasgow in Dumfries. When was that and what sort of work have you been doing there since then?
I spent two years with Dumfries and Galloway Council before finding my way back to the University of Glasgow, but this time as a member of staff! My first position was as administrative and communications support for a research network based in Dumfries. My time at the Glasgow End of Life Studies Group taught me so much. David and the team supported me to pursue my interests in communications and publicity and build my confidence. I met some truly incredible people, travelled the world, worked on and supported fascinating projects and research, and helped to create a brand-new online course and Masters’ programme.
I’ve now been at the University of Glasgow for five years and am the Outreach and External Engagement Coordinator for the School of Social and Environmental Sustainability. I manage a team of Student Ambassadors who are committed to supporting campus activities and welcoming new students to help them feel involved and settled at university. I am in charge of the website and social media channels for the School, run events for partners, researchers, potential applicants and their families, and I work with secondary schools and colleges to run outreach events and information sessions, supporting young people into university education.
Developing these skills and experiences in outreach and communications has been so amazing, so much so that now alongside working full time, I’ve gone back to university myself to study for my Masters. I’m halfway through an MSc in Strategic Communications and Public Relations and hope to graduate in 2024. My team at work have been so supportive with me undertaking this, and the degree is such that I can incorporate a lot of my work and real-world experience into my coursework. It’s been a brilliant experience so far, helping me to build on the skills and knowledge I’ve gained through work, and continuing to learn.
7. It’s a fantastic story Amy and an inspiration to other young people. So what advice would you give a young person in their 20s today, perhaps not yet set on a career path, but eager to make their mark in the world?
I would say that it’s absolutely fine to not know what you want to do, but it’s also important to get out there and try different things! You never know when you’ll discover a passion for something, and it could be anything! When I think about all of the things my (quite spontaneous) dive into musical theatre has led to – an interest and career in communications and marketing, job opportunities, choreographing, directing, travel and conferences, and not least the incredible people I’ve met who are now some of my closest friends and even bridesmaids at my wedding! All of this, from seeing a show and deciding to try it out. So, I suppose that would be my advice: inspiration and passion can come from the most unsuspected places, and you never know where you might find that spark! It’s perfectly fine to not have a specific direction or path, and even if you do I think it’s important to realise that doesn’t mean it’s set in stone. Things will change and flex, you’ll grow so much as a person and realise your own identity and wants and needs, especially throughout your 20s – so don’t be afraid to change your mind along the way.
8. And what about for yourself, what lies ahead for you do you think, and what might life look like in a decade from now?
A decade from now … I honestly don’t know! Which I think is pretty exciting. I would love to still be working in musical theatre in one way or another. I would like to direct more productions, as it’s been such an amazing experience. But I hope I can still get on the stage and perform too! I may even stray slightly from the musical side of things and try other theatre or creative platforms.
As for work – who knows? I love my job with the University of Glasgow, and the world of communications and marketing is one where I feel very at home. I’d like to continue to grow and develop my skills, and I’m looking forward to graduating with my Masters. I’m open to new possibilities and given all the twists and turns my career has taken so far, I’m sure there’s something exciting and challenging just over the horizon!
To learn more about the Dumfries Musical Theatre Company or to communicate with Amy, contact: https://www.dumfriesmusicaltheatre.co.uk/
Quotidian 