Elspeth Murray

I have worked as a poet and writer in residence in schools, community, arts, health and business settings over many years. As mentor and facilitator, I love meeting people where they are, honouring their diverse, unique voices and enabling them to tell their stories in a way that empowers them and inspires others.

Many of my projects have involved a twist to traditional page poetry and often have been in collaboration with artists of other disciplines including photography, graphic design, percussion, song writing and the culinary arts. Over many years I have worked with Puppet State Theatre Company in theatres across the world and have a deep appreciation for how audiences respond to story, focus, suspense and stillness.

Added to my performance track record and projects involving rehearsing groups for spoken word events, I feel well equipped to help prepare people to present their work in the most captivating way possible. This has sometimes meant recording and remixing spoken word with interactive technology - and Play-Doh! I have increasingly been integrating visual arts into my practice including pen-and-ink sketching, hand lettering and whiteboard animation. (Photo credit: Jamie Krishnan)