We believe artists that can look after their mental and physical health are able to create better work.

Who are Canvas?

We deliver practical resources to improve the physical and mental health of theatre and arts practitioners, offering new ways of accessing creative flow, developing the creative voice and finding ways to become more resilient in an ever-changing and sometimes stressful environment.

It is our fragility and vulnerability that makes us human. Despite often being the very reason that we work within the creative field, that sensitivity can often be bypassed and forgotten when the process of making the work actually takes place. We need to look after ourselves and each other. As well as helping you to feel better, the tools we share and advocate for, can improve both the quality and longevity of creative work.

We have recently delivered in person workshops commissioned by Cultivator for creative businesses in Cornwall. We have also delivered tailored wellbeing workshops for National Theatre Connections Director’s Weekend and Hall for Cornwall New Artists Network as well as a public programme of free, online sessions that were funded by Arts Council England.

About Rosanna Elliott

Rosanna Elliott is a Director, Dramaturg and Artistic Director of Canvas Theatre.

She has been a Connections Director for the National Theatre, a recipient of a Reach Out Placement at the Young Vic and has worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company and Headlong before moving back to Cornwall and setting up Canvas Theatre.

She trained initially with the National Youth Theatre and has a First Class BA Honours degree in Drama from Exeter University. Her credits include The Crucible, Cider with Rosie (at The Minack Theatre) and producing and directing a sell out tour of The Coastguard’s Daughter by Olivia Lowry in 2017. 

Since its inception, Canvas has been dedicated to nurturing and encouraging the voices of artists through new writing in the form of scratch nights, workshops, and a writer’s network. Rosanna is also an associate lecturer on the Acting course at Falmouth University and is an experienced workshop facilitator for all ages.

Rosanna’s practice as a Director has always been informed by her love of yoga and interest in energy. She has most recently graduated from her 300h Yoga Teacher Training qualification at Limehouse Yoga Studios Cornwall. 

Despite having had health problems as a child, Rosanna ensured her work was never affected, driving herself to work harder, longer hours to prove she was ‘no different’ to the industry she saw around her. Then in 2018, this was brought to a complete halt when she suffered a severe relapse of chronic fatigue syndrome, a devastating and unexplainable condition that can leave people housebound for years. The experience took Rosanna on a challenging, healing journey and led her to see the world, the industry in which she works and life itself very differently. The tools she has learnt to both heal and look after her body and mind have influenced her immensely – inspiring her to create a place within Canvas to pass on this vital information to other creatives.

We believe in order to stay creative, it is essential to stay well in both mind and body – something we want to shine a light on and encourage individuals and organisations within the industry to consider.