This practice-based PhD explores the role of the professional artist in the co-creation of performance with communities. Anchored in over two decades of socially engaged theatre practice, the research interrogates authorship, ownership, and autobiography through three case studies: ALBERT DRIVE, OLD BOY, and MOTION. Drawing from my work with Glass Performance, the thesis situates collaborative devising within social and cultural contexts, highlighting how lived experience, locality, and identity inform the creative process. It critically examines the ethical dimensions of co-creation, addressing power dynamics, representation, and the responsibilities of the artist in shaping collective narratives. Central to this inquiry is the question: How is your story also my story? Through this lens, I argue for a reframing of socially engaged performance—not as an extension of education or outreach—but as an artistic form in its own right, capable of reshaping cultural value systems and reimagining community relationships. The thesis contributes a practical methodology for co-creation, rooted in dialogue, inclusivity, and shared authorship, and offers a personal reflection on the evolution of my arts practice. 

The accompanying portfolio includes performance documentation and published writings, presented online alongside this critical framing essay.