Alun Saunders is a multi-talented creative whose journey as a playwright, actor, and drag performer has uniquely shaped his experience of adopting siblings through St. David’s Adoption Service. In this exclusive conversation, Alun reflects on the challenges and triumphs of balancing his artistic career with parenthood, and how storytelling has become a powerful tool for connection and understanding within his family.
Finding Balance: Adapting to Parenthood
Having worked as a freelancer for over 13 years before becoming a parent, Alun knew he would need to adjust his work-life balance. The demands of raising siblings required flexibility, patience, and a willingness to adapt.
“I had to really adjust my work-life balance to fit around parenting rather than the other way around,” Alun shares. “It hasn’t been easy, and I’m still finding the best balance, which seems to constantly shift as the kids mature and their lives change too.”
Alun’s background as an actor and playwright proved invaluable. His ability to connect with emotions, reflect deeply, and explore feelings helped him to approach parenting with curiosity and empathy. “I’m always asking, ‘What’s going on there?’ rather than simply reacting,” he explains.
Incorporating Creativity into Family Life
Alun’s creative background has naturally found its way into his parenting journey. Drawing from his own experiences, he wrote JAM, a sitcom for S4C about a drag performer on an adoption journey — a light-hearted yet meaningful reflection of his own life as a father and performer.
“We need more positive and lighter depictions of our community in the media,” Alun says. “While adoption can be emotionally draining, it’s been nice to revisit some of the lighter aspects of the journey and fictionalise it all.”
Life as a ‘Drag Dad’
As a drag performer and father, Alun embraces his unconventional family life, using his experiences to challenge stereotypes and celebrate diversity.
“There are very few Drag Dads out there,” Alun explains. “Embracing my reality as a comedian offers me the opportunity to share what that’s really like.”
He believes in sharing both the highs and challenges of being an LGBTQ+ parent to help future adopters prepare for the realities of family life. “Being prepared for unexpected situations is key — whether on stage or at home,” he adds.
Balancing Creativity and Parenting
Navigating the demands of the entertainment industry while raising siblings has presented its own challenges. “Being a parent can be a real barrier to opportunities because of time constraints,” Alun explains. “We’ve had to work hard to overcome those challenges, but with flexibility and additional support, we’ve found ways to make it work.”
Despite the difficulties, Alun is encouraged by society’s gradual shift towards better accommodating working parents in creative industries. “Finding the best balance is still a work in progress,” he admits.
The Power of Storytelling
Alun firmly believes that storytelling and performance are powerful tools for helping children, particularly adopted children, to navigate societal stigmas and identity-related challenges.
“Laughing at yourself and not taking things too seriously is key,” Alun says. “Storytelling allows characters to learn about themselves and adapt to challenges — just like us. As we learn who we are, we become stronger and more resilient.”
For Alun, storytelling empowers both adopters and adopted children to explore their identities, build confidence, and embrace their authentic selves.
Inspiring Creativity, Compassion, and Courage
Through his creative work, his commitment to parenting, and his advocacy for inclusivity, Alun continues to inspire others to embrace authenticity, resilience, and the joy of self-discovery. His story is a powerful reminder that by blending creativity with compassion, families can thrive — no matter how unconventional their journey may seem.
Author: Shaun Houcke
Embracing Creativity, Parenthood, and Diversity
#AdoptionJourney
#CreativeParenting
#DragDad
#LGBTQParenting
#StorytellingPower
#InclusiveFamilies
#AdoptiveParent
#BalancingParenthood
#CreativeEducation
