Meet the Team
Say hello to the team! We're an ecclectic bunch from all walks of life, brought together by our determination to make the Midlands a better place for Young People with Learning Disabilities.
Our Leadership Team
These fab people keep the company running, the bills paid, and the ideas flowing.
If you’re interested in working together on a potential project – reach out to one of us!
Richard – Company Director
I dance around and act like the biggest fool in the room, and these days I have a lot of conversations about it.
Mel – Associate Director
I oversee all of our projects and participation which includes the wonderful work we do in schools. I am always looking for new ways to create opportunities for everyone we work with and be creative myself!
Michelle – Business Associate
I like creating policies, writing lots of words, talking and dancing!
Carly – Producer
I produce the company’s large-scale projects and work out the jigsaw of everything happening at the same time! I work closely with Coventry special schools, bringing them together with artists and making a big splash about it in the City!
Alex – Drama Practitioner & Filmmaker
How often can adults afford to be truly attentive with children and welcome their behaviour openly, with music? Luckily for me, all the time.
Ashley – Assistant Drama Practitioner
I enjoy being able to bring smiles and laughter to everyone I meet – online or in person – with my verbal or non verbal skills I have gained from others I meet!
Becky – Drama Practitioner
I love to dance, clown around and playfully connect with young people, with each individual guiding our way.
Bethan – Creative Coordinator
I like getting involved in all areas of Open Theatre, trying to make sure that the young people are offered the most unique, creative opportunities possible.
Cobi – Drama Practitioner
I get creative playing around with props and music and have a lot more fun in schools than I ever had when I was actually in school myself.
Daniel – Consultant
I’ve worked with OTC on lots of things including making the www.whodunnits.co.uk films and now, although I live a far way away, I very much enjoy helping the company out in different ways
Grace – Creative Enabler
I have conversations and collaborate with many incredibly talented artists to support them in making their projects possible.
Hannah – Drama Practitioner & Creative Coordinator
I have lots of energy and I am always out and about working with amazing young people.
Hazel – Systems Development Associate
I look at everything open theatre does behind the scenes and try to make it more accessible. I’ve also got lots of fancy hats.
Jake – Drama Practitioner & Artist
Anything is a prop; whether it’s a thousand coloured hats on top of your head, gloves you wear that possess your hand with beadle eyes that stare at you, glasses you put on that break the lens but somehow make a funny moment out of it, creating scenarios with a bag (whether it’s weird, mysterious, shocking, or imaginative), and lastly, my favourite, chairs. Just remember to keep your heads up at all times.
Jenara – Drama Practitioner & Kickstart Lead
I spend a lot of time with young people being creative in and out of schools.
Jess – Drama Practitioner
I improvise, dance and have fun in schools, and have lots of conversations about activism in between.
John – Drama Practitioner
Performing and creating theatre is what makes me happy! To be able to do it everyday, whilst inspiring others to do the same, really does mean the world to me!
Lucy – Company Administrator
I help the team to deliver all of the fantastic projects they do by supporting them with administration, HR and IT.
Luke – Artist & Youth Trustee
I am a caffeine – fuelled ninja with tattoos, who has worked with Open Theatre as an actor for a few years, and now sit on their board as a youth trustee.
Lydia – Drama Practitioner
I am a bright and bubbly practitioner with big facial expressions! I rather enjoy a large bag of sensory props to inspire creativity and unveil surprises.
Marlien – Creative Coordinator
I work creatively with young people so together we can come up with exciting projects and productions.
Matt – Assistant Practitioner & Journalist
I have worked with Open Theatre for 20 years, as an original Shyster and actor. I now work in schools and as a journalist. I love working with young people and with Open Theatre. Here’s to 20 years of great work!
Meredith – Fundraiser
I help to get the funding needed to make all of our amazing projects a reality
Mike – Assistant Drama Practitioner
I make theatre with a range of people. I jump around, play and have fun.
Ryan – Drama Practitioner
One of the most common phrases I hear in sessions is ‘I’ve never seen them do that before. I have the best job in the world because I get to help show people how amazing we can all be when we nurture each other’s creativity.
Saff – Drama Practitioner
I am the token hat wearer in the team! I am a bit bonkers and love making people laugh with my silly self!
Sean – Filmmaker
Lights, Camera, Action! I capture the amazing work Open Theatre carries out and produce films for everyone to enjoy online.
Tom – Assistant Drama Practitioner
I assist our wonderful leaders in trying to make the participants laugh by doing wonderfully silly shapes, moves and faces
Vicky – Drama Practitioner & Narrative Team Member
I spend my time rolling around on the floor, creating, laughing, connecting …and trying to find some words to explain what non-verbal physical theatre means.
If you would like to find out more about us or the programmes we run, get in touch, or better still…