ANGEL SHED THEATRE COMPANY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Director in the Commerce Business Group at Meta
Albert Simsensohn works as Director in the Commerce Business Group at Meta. His professional experience is centred on e-commerce development, having held prior leadership roles at eBay and Naspers, and management consulting with McKinsey & Company. He holds an MBA from INSEAD. He has been engaged in fundraising for youth leadership development and other non-profit organisations, both in direct and advisory capacity. As a young person, he was a direct beneficiary of theatre's developmental benefits and is keen to support multiple generations to have similar positive experiences. His strategy and fundraising skills will of great benefit to Angel Shed.
Anna Fox is a theatre director with considerable experience of working in the theatre with young people of all ages. She is currently the International associate on &Juliet, the musical. She has worked as resident Director on Matilda the Musical, as director on productions in the West End, on national and international tours and at Guildford School of Acting. Anna has previously worked as education and outreach director and at theatre company, Selladoor Worldwide, where she coordinated a number of externally funded workshop programmes. Her work with young people includes as a teacher and pastoral liaison at Rhodes Farm Clinic school, and safeguarding lead on a national theatrical tour.
Job Titles:
- Artist
- Outreach Co - Ordinator
Cora Sehgal Cuthbert is a multidisciplinary artist who is particularly interested in the arts within a community setting. She has worked as a producer of community projects, and as an artist/facilitator with schools, youth clubs and organisations such as Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Barbican Centre and Whitechapel Gallery. She believes in the power that creativity has to greatly improve mental health and is committed to aiding the organisation of inclusive spaces where everyone's creativity is able to flourish.
Job Titles:
- Artistic & Executive Director
David has extensive experience in community arts settings as a musician and theatre practitioner. He is an experienced Musical Director as well as working as a teacher, composer, and writer. David is a multi-instrumentalist, with current projects including KYOTI. David grew up in East London and has been working in and around Islington for over eight years. Inclusivity is central to his work and he is dedicated to ensuring full access to, and participation in, the arts for all.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Producer and Writer
- Young Trustee
Elizabeth Okoye is an actor, producer and writer, with 5 years' experience within the gaming industry, screen and stage. Upon graduating in PPE, she was accepted into the Oxford School of Drama and embarked on a career in the arts. She has participated in young companies across the U.K. including National Youth Theatre, Contact Young Company, Royal Exchange Writers, Slate Playwriting, Talawa: TYPT and DMC Film Screenwriters. Elizabeth has previously worked as producer with Contact Theatre, tiata fahodzi theatre company, Slick Films and Dolphragon. She is part-time carer for her younger autistic brother and is passionate about providing empowerment opportunities for young people of all abilities and providing a safe environment for their development.
Freya Johnson is a graduate of English and Drama at Queen Mary University, London. Born and raised in Islington, she was a member of Angel Shed from the ages of 8-16 and later become a volunteer. She was a member of Islington Giving's Young Grant Makers programme for two years and now works part time in youth hubs in Islington. With her experience of Islington and its young people, Freya hopes to represent and give voice to the younger people that may not necessarily be heard or listened to. She has a passion for the arts and deeply loves Angel Shed and the work we do.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Solicitor
- Trustee
Jardelle Johnson is a qualified solicitor who works at Slaughter and May. She has first-hand knowledge of how transformative performing arts can be for young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds having attended a local performing arts school from the ages of 11-18. Having graduated from Brown University (USA), she volunteered with the US-UK Fulbright Commission and the Sutton Trust on an educational social mobility programme that supports low-income students applying to US universities. Jardelle is excited to bring the combination of her legal skills, her experience as a school governor of a special primary school, and her passion for theatre and working with young people to the Board. She has lived and worked in Islington for several years and is excited to meaningfully contribute to the strategic direction of Angel Shed and to the wider community in Islington.
It is a real joy to lead the Dance Collective at Angel Shed and have the chance to work with our members; each week I'm met with awe-inspiring ideas and creativity.
As a facilitator I'm interested in the process of making and the discovery that unfolds in a shared space where we can move and dance together. I value inclusivity, striving to facilitate the best possible experience for each member, where they feel welcomed, can express themselves and learn new skills.
Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North and patron of Angel Shed, took part in the first event of the charity's 20th anniversary celebrations. The event raised £300 and was a great opportunity to reconnect with staff, volunteers, members, and supporters past and present.
"My birthday wish is that Angel Shed can always continue to provide these fundamental, vital and life changing experiences for children and young people. Creativity and community encourage children and young people to grow, explore, find confidence, and develop an array of skills for life, and Angel Shed's inclusive theatre practices ensure that everyone gets this opportunity. This is the path to a better future!"
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Education / Schools Representative
Jo Stephens is Headteacher of Hungerford Primary School and has worked for over twenty years in both special and mainstream schools. She has extensive experience of working with children with learning difficulties and working in vulnerable communities and has a background in performing arts, having studied theatre in Education and Deaf Studies at university. Hungerford School works closely with Angel Shed, with a number of children from the school attending workshops, including her own daughter. Jo loves the theatre but recognises that it is a privilege that is not always affordable to all members of the community.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Volunteer Representative
John Gaine has been a volunteer for over a year. When he was 13 he started attending activities at WAC Arts in Belsize Park, first as a participant and then as a volunteer, becoming an Ambassador for them in 2012. He has worked with young people for many years, helping them produce various forms of media including short films, animations, editing work, drama performances and more, and he brings this experience to the board to assist Angel Shed in their interests going forward.
Job Titles:
- Membership Co - Ordinator
Lauren is a neurodiverse theatre maker, producer and facilitator who is passionate about using the arts as tools to explore community and shape social change. She is a graduate of Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with a degree in Drama, Applied Theatre & Education. Lauren is a founding member of GeoTone CIC and is an artist in residence at Eden Court Highlands, ArtsDepot and Newhampton Arts Centre as well as working with Face Front Inclusive Theatre, Freshwater Theatre, The Drive Project and the Polka Theatre.
Linden is a performance maker and theatre practitioner who writes, directs, and performs his own work. He began his creative journey at youth theatres in Lewisham and, as such, has experienced first-hand the transformative effect that participatory arts can have on people. Having graduated from the University of Sussex with a BA in Drama, Theatre and Performance, Linden is now completing an Applied Theatre MA at Goldsmiths. Linden joined the Angel Shed team in 2022 and is excited to begin working with young people to develop themselves creatively and personally whilst having lots of fun!
Malinda started performing in her early teens and was a member of the National Youth Theatre and British Youth Music Theatre, before graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London with a BA in Drama and Theatre Studies, and undertaking acting training at Mountview. She is currently a theatre maker, performer and facilitator in training with Talawa and Emergency Exit Arts; developing practice around self determination theory and creativity in community settings. She is a creative associate with Gentle Furies and has experience facilitating with young people in organisations including the Little Angel Theatre and Ministry of Stories.
Maria is a facilitator, director and community producer and has worked with companies such as The Old Vic, Royal Court, Foreign Affairs Theatre Company, Omnibus and she recently travelled to Denmark, Ecuador, Poland and Croatia for youth projects. She is currently working with Zoo Co as Assistant to the Artistic Director and Creative Associate and has worked on shows including Perfect Show for Rachel at the Barbican, Night Shift at Stanley Arts and Risky Business with Zoo Co's Young Company. When co-creating work, Maria is passionate about using games, movement and sound to devise from.
A freelance youth & community facilitator, Maryam co-creates theatre with participants in the UK and Malaysia. She has delivered workshops & performances at a range of organisations including Angel Shed, Almeida, Kiln, PositivelyUK, Coney, Bush and the UNHCR. She is currently a visiting lecturer in applied theatre at The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. Joy and play are at the heart of her practice in creating inclusive, socially engaged theatre. Maryam is especially passionate about making work that celebrates and elevates Muslim Women.
Job Titles:
- Volunteer & Training Manager
Maya is a socially-engaged theatre maker, facilitator and director with experience in a variety of community and theatre settings. She is passionate about integrating inclusivity and accessibility creatively in all projects and productions. She has delivered and supported projects and workshops with a range of organisations including Brent Youth Theatre, Haringey Shed, OurTime, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Music Theatre Wales and Blink Dance Theatre. Maya graduated with First Class Honours in Drama, Applied Theatre and Education at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Within her role at Angel Shed, she is looking forward to working with her local community in Islington and supporting more people to find the joy of facilitating inclusively with young people!
Nichelle is a dancer, she started dancing from a young age and attended various dance and performing arts schools. She is an alumni of City and Islington college and a graduate from Kingston University with a BA in Dance. She was a volunteer before becoming part of the Artistic team of Angel Shed in 2022. Nichelle is passionate about dance and believes in having a safe space for all young people to express themselves creatively, as well as using a creative approach to help them to learn and grow as individuals. She aims to help inspire young people to discover and develop their own creative ideas and style.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Senior Helpline Manager
Paul Brocklehurst is Senior Helpline Manager at Centrepoint where he set up and runs a national helpline supporting 7,000 young homeless people each year. He regularly represents Centrepoint in local and national media and is part of the organisation's Senior Leadership team. Paul has worked in the charity sector for over 10 years including Victim Support and The Mix youth helpline. He has volunteered with Angel Shed since 2012, photographing the shows and workshops, and enjoys seeing the participants grow in confidence and understanding.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Senior Banker With NatWest
Rupert Taylor is a senior banker with NatWest where he leads the Industrials and Transport team for the bank's large corporate business. He has had over 20 years of financial services experience and has developed a network of executives and advisors across the UK and Europe. Rupert provides valuable support and advice on strategy, fundraising and governance. He lives locally and has an enduring interest in the performing arts and in supporting children and young people to realise their potential.
Sam has worked across a variety of sectors in the first ten years of his professional career since graduating from University College London with an Atomic and Particle Physics degree in 2014. He has worked in theatre, mass-participation sports, education technology and most recently financial services. He was until recently a Trustee of a charity based in Kent providing grassroots football to over 1000 children. Sam believes passionately in the transformative power of inclusive performing arts as a vehicle for positive change.
Sammy is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, educator and ICMP post-graduate who places their diverse knowledge of songwriting and inclusivity at the heart of their professional practice. Alongside working for Angel Shed, Sammy has facilitated for other inclusive youth productions, and currently do session work for several up-and-coming artists in London. Having lived and taught around the world, Sammy now combines their passion for education with their music career to deliver meaningful experience to every young person that they work with.
Steven Kavuma joins Angel Shed as charity patron
Steven Kavuma has become a patron of Angel Shed! The announcement of the writer and director's involvement with the charity comes at the start of its 20 th anniversary year.
Steven Kavuma is a passionate advocate of inclusion and supporting young people into the arts. He trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and featured in The Stage 100 list as one of the most influential people in theatre. He is the co-founder of Uproot Productions, a socially driven cross-arts production company, and is a trustee at Actors Touring Company, which makes theatre by and about global voices and the intersecting cultures within the UK. He was co-founder of the Diversity School Initiative, set up to address under-representation and diversity in UK drama schools.
Yanna is a pop music graduate of Goldsmiths University, as well as a music alumni of City and Islington College. She currently works as an SEN learning mentor and singing teacher in schools across London. Making music under her artist name Yanna A, she has supported and headlined shows across the capital including at The Monarch and The Black Heart in Camden. She has also worked as resident musician at Shoreditch Church and Proud Camden. Coming from a largely self-taught background, Yanna enjoys sharing her knowledge and skills in creative D.I.Y approaches to writing, recording and performing. Yanna released her first EP online using only inexpensive earphones and an app on her phone and actively encourages anyone who has a desire to record and share their music to do the same!