Firstly, I would like to thank all the academic and support staff within the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies at Aberystwyth University, especially Dr. Margaret Ames, for providing an invaluable education over the last three years, for showing me the wonders of the arts, for being there in my darkest days and always showing me I can do better than I think. I would also like to thank Dr. Louise Ritchie and performer Eddie Ladd, for their invaluable support, patience and words of encouragement through this process.

 

To all my friends, both at home and university, thank you for being you, for being there in the middle of the night, for being at every happy and sad occasion - you have shown me what friendship, and the power of it, really means.

 

And to the most important man in my life, Dad. Thank you for making me the man I am today, and most importantly, for doing it alone. I love you and my respect for you only grows. You are one in a million and i'd be lost without you.

 

And finally, to the most important woman in my life. You may no longer be here, I may no longer have wonderful conversations with you. But, if it wasn't for you encouraging me to be the best version of myself I could be, for your warm words, for your constant love and for your kind heart, none of what I have achieved would have been possible. Thank you for getting me to university. Granny, I love you and I miss you and I hope I've made you proud - this one's for you!

​

Throughout my university career I have been involved in many original and fantastic productions, whether it be 'Birds of a Feather', in first year, 'In the Jungle of Cities', in year two or 'Belonging', in final year. However, 'To Build a Home', has proved to be the most challenging, rewarding and exciting.

​

Embarking on a solo production project is daunting; your constantly battling with your mind, your always thinking if the work your creating is any good, if it's worth putting in front of an audience, or whether it entertains, informs, inspires and challenges. However, with all that aside, the hardest part is spending hours on end in a rehearsal room alone, it can drive you crazy, make you feel worthless, but as soon as it gives you that lightbulb moment, it is nothing but rewarding.

 

Although the ideas, text, sound and set design is all created by me, using my inspirations, there have been many people along the way, that have helped shape, inspire and above all, encourage, along the way, and I want to say thank you to them;

 

Cerys Smith, Chris Stewart, Dean Phillips, Eddie Ladd, Elinor Smith, Emma Luckett, Jessica Price, Jamie Medhurst, Louise Ritchie, Margaret Ames, Owen Watts, Raymond Smith, Rebecca Mitchell, Ruth Garner, Sam Dockery and Stephen Griffiths and a further special thank you to the Mental Health Foundation, Mind UK, the Department of Health, the Samaritans, Student Minds and the National Health Service (NHS).

​

Thank you again, Aaron.