BEN MCDONALD
THEATRE PRACTITIONER

I am a socially engaged theatre practitioner creating participatory performance as reflective CPD for social workers and those working in health and care. My work focuses on safeguarding contexts, staging ethically complex scenarios that mirror frontline decision-making. Through audience participation, professionals are placed in positions of responsibility, supporting critical reflection on judgment and practice.

My practice combines new writing, participatory dramaturgy, and interdisciplinary research, drawing on applied theatre, psychology, and medical humanities. A key feature is improvised music, where live response tracks the emotional journey of the child, deepening empathy while maintaining ethical tension.

I hold a Master’s degree from the University of York and an MPhil in Applied Theatre in Complex Health and Care Settings. My research informs original work including A Bitter Pill, developed with NSPCC, Mind, and frontline social workers, and supported by Arts Council England.

Alongside this, I am an experienced educator, currently teaching at the University of Hull and previously at the University of Lincoln. As an HEA Fellow, I bring a collaborative, democratic approach to my work, supporting emerging artists while maintaining a clear artistic vision.

Alongside my academic and socially focused work, I am also the director of The Quirky Murder Crew, a company dedicated to producing original murder mystery comedies for adult audiences. Within this role, I write, direct and perform in interactive whodunits, bringing playful intrigue and dark humour to each production.