About
A very warm welcome to you. As I'm sure you've gathered, my name is Aled. Do read on, if you so please.
I'm primarily an actor, but I'm also a theatre maker, writer and facilitator. I trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (2023) and graduated with a first in acting - posh! Last year I trained in clowning at École Philippe Gaulier (2024), which was kindly funded by the Carne Trust.
I'm also the recipient of the Garrick Scholarship (2022) and the Carne Trust Scholarship (2023). Both were awarded for demonstrating considerable acting talent for actors coming from a low socio-economic background.
Since then I have been awarded an Arts Council of Wales Create Grant to develop my play Dad, Where's My Rolex? (2024), had my theatrical debut at the Chichester Festival Theatre (2024) and voiced the character of a Pink Block in a kids animation for S4C (2023). Scroll down for the Spotlight if you wanna know more.
I was an Associate Artist for Pentabus Theatre (2023-24). Pentabus is a wonderful theatre company that tours new writing with rural communities. The work they do is vital. Before this I participated in both the Local (2022) and National (2023) Pentabus Young Writers Groups.
My most profound experiences in theatre have been through the lens of comedy, clown and improvisation. I'm cultivating both into my growing practice, but there's more to harvest. Where can clown be used in participatory work? How can improvisation help people with addiction? Can devising help older people in our communities? Time to get to work.
I grew up on a council estate in Cardiff and consider myself working-class. It's my culture. I want to show that anyone from this background can engage with and work in the arts if that's what they fancy.
Theatre is my church, it's where we share our stories.
Projects
Dad, Where’s My Rolex?
Dad, Where’s My Rolex? explores addiction in all its shapes and forms. Basically, my dad was an alcoholic and it turns out a whole load of my distant, far-off relatives up and up the family tree were too. I wanted to explore all that messiness and chaos through a theatrical form.
My project was supported with a public grant awarded by Arts Council Wales, created in association with Chapter Arts Centre, and presented in collaboration with Recovery Cymru.
Project Support: Cathy Boyce
Director: Robbie Bowman
Dramaturg: Matthew Bulgo
Access Consultant: Jonny Cotsen
Movement Director: Karol Cysewski
Assistant Director: Gaby Foley
Musical Director: Mary Johnson
The Mastiff
The Mastiff is a digital-theatre monologue and, you guessed it, written by me.
The Mastiff grapples with love (or lack of) and the loneliness of an older woman in the South Wales valleys.
Performed by Anita Reynolds
Written by Aled Gomer
Directed by Elle While
Learning to Float
Learning to Float is a short play written by moi.
It explores the struggles that gay people growing up in rural areas can tackle.
Performed by Garyn Williams
Written by Aled Gomer
Directed by Elle While
Get Ready With Me
Get Ready With Me was written by the wonderful writer Rhys Warrington.
I played the character ‘Him’ and it was directed by Laura Wade.
Performed by Aled Gomer
Written by Rhys Warrington
Directed by Laura Wade
Facilitating
Below ye shall find my growing collaborations, relationships and connections with the community. Theatre can truly free us up - it's a brilliant tool.
I facilitated a set of Creative Writing Workshops for the members of Recovery Cymru, alongside my Dad, Where's My Rolex? research and development. Recovery Cymru is an incredible charity that supports people through their recovery journey. I urge you take a look at the brilliant work they do.
I have a connection with PaperTrail. I took part in their Creative Steps focus group to help them discover future opportunities as a company. I then facilitated an Improvisation Workshop as part of the outreach that ran alongside their production of A Visit.
Recently, I have been collaborating with Pentabus Theatre to deliver their Vibrant Shropshire Creative Writing and Performance Project with primary school kids.
I have a full DBS Certificate.
I have a UK Driving License.
I'm a Welsh speaker.
I love volunteering. It's good for the community and just as good for the soul.
I spent many a long year volunteering with the Scouts Association, working with young people aged six to ten.
Before training at the Royal Welsh College, I volunteered with Hijinx Theatre Company. I was supporting learning disabled actors in their weekly drama sessions.
I'm currently in the process of becoming an Age UK Telephone Friendship Service volunteer. What fun!
