I am an experienced director, budding producer and passionate theatre-maker working in Leicestershire. I create and deliver workshops in and around the Leicester Theatre scene. My work is underpinned by my belief that everyone has a story to tell, and the ability to tell it. And I love learning about people and putting them at the centre of the work.
I’m proud to be Artistic Director for Movers Theatre Company, who are all Learning/Disabled or Neurodivergent, while also representing our company in the Creative Minds network of disability arts organisations.
My directing includes multiple outings with 14/48 in Leicester, Wolverhampton, London and Seattle over the last 10 years. I have worked with schools groups from Bushloe High School (now Wigston Academy) under the BBC Shakespeare In Schools festival, anddirected Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations for Guthlaxton’s after-school dramaclub. I have choreographed/directed for the ‘Gang Show’ at our local scout hut.
I assistant-directed “Blue Box Theatre” youth group at The Century Theatre in Snibston, Leicestershire and in 2019, I directed my first full musical ‘Boogie Nights’ with Leicester Theatre Group.
My producing work includes The Future Arts Centres project: Here & Now: which involved both a live performance to the home crowd at Leicester Tigers on Welford Road, and a film showing how passion for sport and passion for arts can unite us.
For the last 10 years I have been volunteering at 14/48:UK as an Artist Liason and super fan to support over 60 artists each weekend to create and perform 14 brand new world premiere plays in 48 hours, from scratch.
Most Recent Project: Producing/Assistant Directing I Love Musicals for LAOS
An Experienced Workshop Facilitator…
I am an experienced and passionate workshop facilitator, with a background in education and have worked with groups from age 6 to adult – in schools, youth theatres, arts centres, and Scout & Guide groups. Having worked as a teaching assistant and learning mentor, I have excellent group management skills and the ability to connect with a range of people in a variety of ways to suit them.
I specialise in workshops and theatre making with and for learning disabled and neurodivergent participants, fostering confidence, independent working and promoting agency in what those actors create.
I designed and delivered a 12 week course for Home-Ed children at Attenborough Arts Centre for the Education & Outreach Team, which included Arts Award Practitioner training.
I enjoy working with people who are new to performing arts, helping them to gain the confidence to express themselves, the knowledge to present their thoughts in an interesting and accessible way for audiences, and to build on their success into their personal lives. I can design and deliver a one-off workshop or a block of classes to reach the goals and ambitions of your group, so get in touch if you’d like to explore this idea further.
Relevant Training That Informs My Practice…
- Creating Workshops for Primary School Children – Speakeasy Theatre Company
- How to Direct Children in Shakespeare – BBC Outreach Team in Birmingham
- Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Supporting Teaching and Learning
- Earlybird Plus training with the National Autistic Society
- The Bamboozle Approach – Bamboozle Theatre Company
- BSL Basic Level 1 at Uni of Leicester.
- Inclusive Facilitator training for Learning Disabled Artists – Blink Dance Theatre
- R U LD Friendly – Blink Dance Theatre
- Beginners Tap Dance at Skytribe Dance Studios
- Workshop Leader for the Streets Apart Project – Creative Partnerships
- Child Protection and Safeguarding Children
- Positive Handling of Young People
- Equality and Diversity Awareness
- Challenging Unconscious Bias
- Accessible Marketing in Practice with GRAEAE
- First Aid at Work
- Influencing Skills
- Values In Action – Preparing for Leadership Roles