MIND THE GAP STUDIOS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Artist at Mind
Alan has been an Artist at Mind the Gap for many years and has taken leading roles in many of the company's productions including Leave the Light on for Me, which is touring UK festivals this summer. In 2015 Alan created Skip Rap, a semi-autobiographical piece of gig theatre.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Artist at Mind
Alison has been an Artist at Mind the Gap since 2010. She has appeared in many of the company's recent productions including Contained, Mia, ZARA and, most recently, playing the role of Iris in Leave the Light on for Me. As well as an Artist for the company, Alison is also a part time Administrator at Mind the Gap.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Artist at Mind
Anna has been an Artist at Mind the Gap since 2014. Anna biggest role with the company was in the touring production of Mia, which spent three weeks at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017. Anna has also had success outside of the company, appearing as Norma in Leeds Playhouse's production of Be My Baby in 2019.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Learning Support Worker
Becca provides hands on support in sessions, ensuring that everyone is learning to their best ability.
Becca is passionate about inclusivity and making sure that everyone's talents have room to shine. She works closely with our Mind the Gap Artists and Performance Academy students.
Becca has an amazing wardrobe which includes an incredible colour of green which is now known as ‘Becca green'. She is also very talented at crotchet and comes into work wearing her latest creations.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Associate Artist
- Associate Artist: Theatre and Engagement
Bee is a highly experienced theatre practitioner and uses those skills to engage new people with the company.
Bee has worked at Mind the Gap for 13 years and is passionate about inclusive practice, creative engagement, the local community and making the Arts accessible to all.
Bee helped start and develop the One Day Theatre course, and used to work with our Performance Academy students on developing their industry knowledge and raising aspirations on what they could do next. Now her focus is making friends with and engaging the different communities of Bradford so they can make the most of all we have to offer at Mind the Gap!
Bee always has a snack to hand, loves to learn new crafting skills and practices pilates in her spare time.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Production Manager
Caroline ensures that all of the company's touring and in house technical requirements are met.
Caroline joined the company in November 2022 and has since proven that she is a woman of many skills. Before Mind the Gap, Caroline was a freelance stage manager working all over the UK, and has worked as a venue manager at Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the past nine years.
She is a historical vehicle enthusiast and owns a 1971 Beetle, named Heimlich (not after the manoeuvre).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Academy Director ( Maternity Leave )
Charli oversees the smooth running of Mind the Gap Academy.
She is responsible for ensuring that all of Mind the Gap's Academy programmes are achieving their aims and is responsible for the safeguarding of students and Artists.
Charli's favourite city is New York and is a mega fan of the tv series Friends.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Artist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Creative Producer
Emily joined the company in September 2022 following 6 years working in London and Cambridge. She is responsible for taking creative ideas and realising them into touring productions regionally, nationally and internationally.
Emily enjoys running, hiking in the Peak District and loves elephants.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Associate Artist: Theatre
She also works in Outreach, which means she shares the magic of Mind the Gap with the outside world!
Emily keeps bees and has been known to treat everyone at Mind the Gap with fresh honey.
Job Titles:
- Co - Chair of the Board
- Member of the Board
- Board Co - Chair / Board Co - Chair
"I have been involved with Mind the Gap for many years, having been the company's Outreach Director in the mid 2000's and subsequently a freelance director. I now work for Orkney Islands Council as their Arts Officer, supporting artists and organisations to do wonderful things, but I always enjoy a trip back to Bradford (and a visit to Mind the Gap) when I'm able to."
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Artist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Academy Music Tutor
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Producer
Jess produces work at Mind the Gap with a particular focus on Artists' independent projects.
She joined the company in 2015 on a year-long placement through the Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy Fellowship. Jess the joined the company full time as Business Development Officer in 2016 before becoming a Producer for the company in 2021.
Job Titles:
- Artistic Director
- Member of the Board
Joyce Nga Yu Lee graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a BA in Comparative Literature in 2006. She was subsequently awarded the Chevening Scholarship to further her studies at the University of Leeds and graduated in 2008 with an MA in Theatre Making.
Joyce has been the driving force behind many of Mind the Gap's most iconic productions, including Mia, Leave the Light on for Me, and the company's biggest work to date, ZARA.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Member of the Board
As Executive Director, Julia works with the whole team to make sure that Mind the Gap is heading in the right direction. She's responsible for making sure the company has the right people for the job, and enough money to do the work. Having been with the company for over 20 years, she knows Mind the Gap like the back of her hand.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Associate Artist
- Associate Artist: Dance and Engagement
Karen started with Mind the Gap in 2008 and is now an Associate Artist in Dance and Engagement.
This means as well as working alongside our students, Karen spends time connecting with other companies and sharing MTG's love for dancing with the outside world.
Karen co-created MTG production ‘A Little Space' with Gecko and worked as Movement Director for Birdie.
Karen is a keen crafter and is currently trying to master crotchet. She also always has an eye out for a second-hand bargain and can often be spotted in the office wearing her latest find.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Academy Dance Tutor
Katie is the Academy Dance Tutor, which means she can usually be found downstairs in our Dance Studio!
Katie has been working for Mind the Gap for about 4 years and works across three different courses; One Day Dance, Performance Academy and Get into Performing Arts.
Katies enjoys a weekly game of netball and depending on who you ask, some might say that she has a pretty serious obsession with cats…
Job Titles:
- Finance Manager
- Member of the Board
As Mind the Gap's Finance Manager, Lesley is responsible for everything relating to money! From paying our suppliers and staff to ensuring we invoice for our performances and student fees, Lesley keeps on top of the company's finances and makes sure everyone, and everything, gets paid on time. She also ensures that Mind the Gap is compliant with Government and charity legalisation.
Lesley is a huge tennis fan, both playing and watching it. She also loves to travel around the world.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Head of Creative Engagement
- Specialist
Maria is a creative engagement specialist with over 20 years' experience.
Maria is passionate about producing and co-producing accessible arts projects with learning disabled people, diverse communities and young people.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Associate Artist: Music
Matt is the Academy Music Tutor at Mind the Gap. He runs the One Day and Performance Academy music programmes. It's Matt's job to create fun and educational projects for students to develop their existing talents and also for students to explore new musical instruments, ensembles and experiences. Matt provides opportunities for students to rehearse Music effectively on different instruments that will lead to regular performances at Mind the Gap. He also teaches students the skills required to create their own music through composition techniques in Songwriting, World Music and Music Technology.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Head of Learning and Support ( Maternity Deputy for Academy Director )
Melissa is responsible for overseeing the Performance Academy programme in partnership with York St John's University and managing the student's support needs and welfare.
Melissa started with the company as a volunteer in 2013 and has since gone on to work in various roles for the company. After finding her feet in the Academy, she is now an invaluable member of the staff team who ensures that everyone is learning at their highest potential, whilst having a good time.
Melissa is a dedicated Leeds United fan, a strict Yorkshire tea drinker and loves watching Strictly Come Dancing with her cat Tilly.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Learning & Participation Coordinator
Melissa is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the Academy and looks after the One Day courses and our Youth Academy.
Melissa has been a familiar face at Mind the Gap having volunteered for the company for many years before joining the Academy team. She deals with a lot of the day to day administration around the Academy programmes and has an in depth knowledge of our students' access needs, which enables her to ensure that all learning is person centred.
Melissa loves to travel and is always jetting off to exciting destinations.
Job Titles:
- Community & Youth Development Worker
During Naelah's 8 years at Mind the Gap, she's done a whole range of jobs including (but not limited to!) HR admin, coordinating volunteers, managing venue hire and helping support academy sessions. She has a background in Youth and Community engagement and has worked on many projects with women, children and young people.
Naelah has a great interest in South Asian art, culture, heritage and history. In her spare time, she loves going out with her family and enjoys doing make-up and henna painting for family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Producer
- Gap 's Associate Producer
Paul supports Mind the Gap's producing team to ensure that all of our outward facing work happens, as planned.
Paul started out at Mind the Gap on the company's Making Theatre training course before a brief stint as an Artist with the company. Following a successful internship as Assistant Producer on ZARA in 2019, Paul has continued in the role ever since and is a fantastic advocate for both the company and for people with learning disabilities. Paul is also presenter of Mind the Gap and Disability Arts Online's podcast, Disability And…
Paul is originally from Dorset and is a huge football fan.
Job Titles:
- Associate Artist in Theatre
Sarah is an Associate Artist in Theatre which means she works with lots of different people at Mind The Gap to make theatre projects.
Sarah currently works regularly with One Day Theatre and our MTG Artists. She is most passionate about verbatim theatre; this means making work about real life stories using the actual words of real life people.
Sarah is also passionate about cats, and finding the perfect biscuit to dunk in tea!
Job Titles:
- Partner Programme Lead and Access Champion