Participation

Tia is a facilitator and theatre maker specialising in making work with young people and people with additional needs. Having fun and developing skills whilst building confidence are priorities to Tia and her work. She is passionate about introducing young people playful techniques like Commedia dell’arte, improvisation and clowning, and forming ensembles to creatively tell a story.

Sarah is one of our in-house specialists and is a theatre practitioner who works in community and educational settings.

She has a particular interest in physical theatre/movement direction, and loves directing community shows.

Sarah looks after our early years’ provision, the Shakespeare Festival, the National Theatre Connections Festival, the Young Technicians programme and our schools’ workshops. She also directs our library touring work, the summer musical and our company for teenagers. Her favourite part of the week is going to QMC to deliver bedside storytelling shows.

Zoe is a theatre facilitator, director, storyteller, and qualified teacher. Much of her work involves the application of dramatic techniques to support young people in developing their critical thinking, confidence, and teamwork. Committed to creating inclusive and engaging theatre experiences, Zoe’s multi-sensory approach to storytelling allows participants and audiences to immerse themselves in imaginary worlds. She is passionate about the power of play and invites adults to unlearn and take notes from children, who she argues are the true experts. Ultimately, Zoe is dedicated to inspiring others through creativity and curiosity.

Sara Bodinar is a professional screenwriter. She has worked with film studios and TV production companies all over the world, is a script editor to Amazon best-selling authors, commissioned playwright, and a former Nottingham Post columnist. She delivers writing workshops all over the country.

Olwen Davies is a theatre maker, performer, programmer, producer, lecturer, youth theatre leader and artist. She has a Masters degree in Drama studies from De Montfort University and over the past decade Olwen has toured across the UK with her theatre company LaPelle’s Factory. Olwen has collaborated with multiple creatives and venues as a solo practitioner. She is a founding member of The Party Somewhere Else collective, where she focuses on programming, event management and coordination. Since 2014 has worked as an associate lecturer in multiple Higher Education Institutions including the Universities of Lincoln, Worcester, Derby and De Montfort University. Olwen works closely with UK New Artists as their Producer for Live works: Leicester 2022 and a mentor of their Future Producers project.

Olwen strongly believes in the creation and sharing of art and in supporting and growing creative talent. She facilitates projects and supports artists of all ages to develop their performance practice and actualise their work. She is passionate about building a thriving arts and cultural ecology, providing opportunities to all, showcasing excellence and facilitating growth.

Helen is a drama facilitator and writer with 20 years’ experience working with children and young people. Her ethos is one of play, encouragement, and collaborative creation. Having run her own children’s drama company for 10 years, she is now working as a freelance artist, and loving being able to share her skills and experience with a wider community audience.

Omar is a director, facilitator and writer based in the Midlands with a focus on collaborative, experimental processes. Through film, theatre, and digital mediums, his work engages communities and enables conversations around topics including: death, identity, and spirituality.

An alumnus of Birmingham REP’s Foundry scheme & Tamasha’s Directors Programme, he is currently an Associate Artist at Derby Theatre, where he runs the Years 4-6 Youth Theatre.

Jo is a freelance dance/theatre practitioner and qualified teacher, who works both in the community and educational settings. After a successful career helping hundreds of young people reach their creative potential as a former head of Performing Arts, Jo is relishing the opportunity of working creatively with our Nottingham Playhouse participation groups. She loves to work collaboratively on performance projects with other practitioners, but the core of her work is centered on developing the creativity of her participants.

Simon is a performer, theatre maker and practitioner with over 25 years’ experience in creating theatre for young audiences. His work has toured across the UK and internationally, including Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. Simon specialises in devising, physical theatre, clowning, puppetry, storytelling, imaginative play and silliness. He has previously performed at the Nottingham Playhouse in productions of All Quiet on the Western Front and Children of the Crown. Simon is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Lincoln and is proud to work with the Participation team at the Nottingham Playhouse.

Christina is a theatre maker and facilitator from Greece. She studied at Iasmos Drama School under a scholarship, and in 2018 graduated from Nottingham College with a BA hons in Theatre Arts. As a maker her work is focused on devising contemporary performances, incorporating digital media to extend the reach of communication and visualisation. As a facilitator she aims to unleash the participants’ sense of honest and spontaneous play, and to inspire young people to be creative and find confidence through the arts.

Lloydie is an improviser from Nottingham who performs in Nottingham with Rhymes Against Humanity – The Improvised Musical, plus internationally with a host of other groups. He is also the host of The Improv Chronicle Podcast and newsletter. Lloydie trained at UCB (New York), iO and Annoyance Theatres (Chicago) and travels regularly to pick up new perspectives on the art form. He is a qualified mental health first aider and has a background in broadcasting and communications. He works regularly with businesses and teams to help the communicate better and get more comfortable with uncertainty. When he is not improvising Lloydie manages the content at an award-winning national radio station.

I have worked in Theatre across the UK for 8 years. My practice is community-centred and embeds wellbeing and access at its core. My lived experience as a Queer, non-binary, neurodivergent and Disabled person impacts and brings meaning to my work. I’m a proud Midlander, born and bred in Nottingham. My facilitation practice empowers individuals to advocate for their needs and interests by understanding what adjustments are needed for everyone to thrive. I am a regular facilitator for Nottingham Playhouse, previous Community Engagement Facilitator at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and Lead Artist Facilitator for Women & Theatre. I currently co-run Phoenix Theatre Company at Lakeside Arts for 13-19-year-old girls, trans and non-binary young people – we are an Associate Young Company of SHEWOLVES Productions and Resident Artists at Lakeside Theatre in Nottingham. My experiences span work with many community groups, including Refugees & Asylum Seekers, Young Carers, care-experienced young people, over 50’s, and gender diverse young people. I am the Artistic Director or Mind Out Arts Community Interest Company, Trustee at Notts LGBT+ Network, and currently training to be a Dramatherapist.

Melissa May Smith is a multi-disciplinary creative working across acting, directing, producing, and voice. With over 20 years’ experience in theatre, television, and film, she has worked with organisations including the BBC, ITV, BFI, Curve Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse. A BAFTA Connect member, Melissa is passionate about developing new work, nurturing emerging talent and making the arts accessible for all. Alongside her professional practice, she leads workshops that champion creativity, confidence, and storytelling.

Ben Macpherson is a writer, performer and facilitator working across poetry, theatre and comedy. Ben has been leading creative workshops for all ages since 2012, and has a practice deeply rooted in play. He’s an internationally award-winning artist with books published for adults and for families. He has also created numerous theatre projects both personally and with professional and amateur communities. Extensively trained in improv theatre, Ben was also part of the Calathea Arts facilitators cohort, exploring routes to facilitation through interdisciplinary practice.