I’m an award-winning writer, theatremaker & Executive Director of The Thelmas.

I tell emotionally authentic stories that celebrate not stereotype, and speak to complex social realities in a fresh and disruptive way.

Born and raised in East London/Essex, I am now based in London. I have previously worked in New York and delivered projects in South America.

My work involves professional writing for stage & screen, developing new work through devising and writing with young people and community groups, and supporting individuals and organisations to overcome barriers to creativity in order to develop their ideas & vision.

Informed by my background in applied-theatre, I believe creativity can (and should) be enjoyed by people of all ages and walks of life. I lead writing programmes at a number of institutions, mentor and teach at universities, and dream of running a creative retreat in Southern Italy where fledgling writers eat delicious food and develop the confidence to tell bold stories in formally exciting ways.

Misfits at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, 2020

Creative Ethos

I believe the creative arts are a powerful tool to engage people and affect change. My practice is heavily influenced by the work of Augusto Boal and centres themes of social justice in unexpected ways. Working collaboratively, I draw on the experiences of my participants to deliver exciting projects. Creating theatre with young people makes my heart sing.

 

Advocacy

It is important to me to campaign for equity in the creative industries. I take pride in being a part of the Equality & Diversity Committee and sitting on the Disability Working Group for the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, and being a trustee for The Habbit Factory- an inclusive arts charity.

Kuran Dohil as Rumi & Jimmy Riani-Carter as Simon in Coconut shot by Greg Goodale

People often ask how I accumulated such varied work-experience. So here’s a potted history.

I hold a BA (Hons) in English & Creative Studies from University of Portsmouth and an MA in Educational Theatre in Colleges and Communities from New York University.

Working as a special support assistant in schools in Romford I used dramatic activities to engage ‘hard-to-reach’ students and found it to be incredibly effective. That’s how I ended up studying Educational Theatre, and then working as a teaching artist in NYC, specialising in arts education for SEND students.

On returning to London in 2011 I spent a number of years working in schools for different arts organisations, before transitioning into community-based participatory work.

Since 2018 I have been focusing on professional writing projects.

In 2021, at the age of 38 I was diagnosed with ADHD and suddenly everything made sense.