Culture, Arts and Refugees
John Morales
 | John MoralesActor and theatre director, GLYPT tutorGreenwich & Lewisham Young People's Theatre |
Biography
John Morales, well known as “El Flako”, began his acting career in Colombia, where he was a celebrated actor, radio presenter and theatre director.
He fled Colombia for the UK in the early 90’s and, since then, he has been active in many new initiatives including Artists in Exile, a London-wide artistic project, and The Latin Group, of which he is a founder member. He wrote, produced, directed and acted in ‘El Rebusque’, performing in London in 1998 and 1999, and was then invited to present this play at the Edinburgh Festival, where it was highly acclaimed.
John has worked in the UK in TIE (Theatre in Education), Sound and Light Design, Radio, Films, Installations and Sculptures. He was instrumental in organising the first Ibero-American Theatre Encounter for London 2002.
John's enthusiasm, talent and commitment have enabled him to rise above the many frustrations of the British asylum system.
He has completed the Arts in Education training course run by GYPT and The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and is now working as a Drama workshop leader for Voices project @ GLYPT, Oval House, Attic Theatre, Kazzum, Half Moon Theatre and the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.
He is finishing a postgraduate qualification in Life Long Learning at Birkbeck College: “this will enable me to work in a college in Britain and reach a better position in my profession”
PLN Experience
Being part of the Peer Leadership Network has been really fantastic because you have the chance to share and discuss different points of view with other professionals who work for different organisations in an environment where respect is important.
I really value the opportunity of being part of the Peer Leadership Network. It has given me the chance to learn about new practices, methods and approaches in the arts and the possibility of being in contact with other professionals working in the same environment; this help you to keep updated. Making new contacts, partners and networks is essential in the arts, as it helps to develop and support my career. The research and sharing is very important too for this Network.