ABOUT

THE PEOPLE

Meet the team behind the scenes at Scottish Youth Theatre.

 

 

THE STAFF

ANNIE LOWRY THOMAS 

ARTISTIC PRODUCER

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Theatre faker and pasta maker 

I oversee the day-to-day delivery of our projects, supporting young artists to make the work they want to make, in the best way possible. This involves bringing together venues and partners, organising the logistics, as well as working with young artists in the rehearsal room, on screens, stages and other spaces to develop and elevate their work.

HEATHER EVANS 

FINANCE & BUSINESS DIRECTOR

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Smarties sorter and flute geek 

I maintain the scaffolding that supports our processes relating to finance, admin and some income generation so that our producers and associated artists can get on with supporting and developing young artists’ theatre making. 

JACKY HARDACRE 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

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Silver lining chaser and
intrepid gardener 

As the captain, I steer the ship through calm seas and choppy waters. I constantly scan the horizon and keep a close eye on the prevailing winds to make sure all on board can thrive.  

JAMIE STEEDMAN  

DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCER

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Nonsense creator and sudoku partaker 

My role curates the identity of the company – both online and at in-person events. From managing communications and coordinating press, to designing printed materials, to producing digital content for online audiences, I ensure the work of young artists is championed on the platform it deserves.  

JOSIE YOUNG

DIGITAL MEDIA ASSISTANT

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Budding photographer and
serial TV watcher 

My focus is all things social media – promoting our projects and celebrating the work of the artists we collaborate with through our various platforms.  

 

RIKKI PAYNE 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

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Creative buccaneer and
musical mountaineer 

I am the navigator in the company. I work with young theatre makers, colleagues and partners to identify the creative direction of Scottish Youth Theatre and plot a course to get us there, ensuring our destination is urgent, relevant and inspirational. 

THE BOARD

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PROF. DEE HEDDON

BOARD MEMBER

Tell us about an early memory of experiencing theatre
My earliest memory of theatre, possibly like many women my age across the UK, is of playing Mary in a Nativity Scene at Primary School! The first professional play I saw was Phantom of the Opera (aged 15).

Tell us about a piece of theatre or performance that had a deep impact on you
I was taken to the National Review of Live Art in my second year at University, to see a piece of student theatre from Poland. It had no words, but lots of strobe lighting, electronic music and swinging through the air. That there was no fourth wall blew my mind.

Why are you involved with Scottish Youth Theatre?
When I was young, I lived in very rural parts of Scotland, with no access to the theatre. A drama teacher arrived one day at my School, to lead lunchtime classes. She suggested I apply to SYT’s Summer School. I did and the experience changed my life. I’m now a Professor of Drama.

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HAZEL McILWRAITH

BOARD MEMBER

Tell us about an early memory of experiencing theatre
My first clear memory of theatre is probably pantomime. The red velvet seats, the smell, the cold before the performance and the heat during. A space inside which an audience can be immediately transported to anywhere, anytime and introduced to a plethora of people and emotions, be made to laugh, cry, hate, to think; to feel.

Tell us about a piece of theatre or performance that had a deep impact on you
Sunday in the Park with George, Stephen Sondheim – for me a new life began.

Why are you involved with Scottish Youth Theatre?
I am involved with Scottish Youth Theatre because they are committed to raising aspirations for young people, while developing their skills and knowledge about theatre making but more importantly they learn as much about themselves and how to relate to others.

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NAOMI SHOBA

BOARD MEMBER & COMPANY SECRETARY

Tell us about an early memory of experiencing theatre
I remember playing queen of the fairies Titania from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I was chuffed to bits!

Tell us about a piece of theatre or performance that had a deep impact on you
Hannah Lavery’s ‘The Drift’ left me speechless. I had never experienced such personal representation so beautifully expressed on stage.

Why are you involved with Scottish Youth Theatre?
I found belonging, passion and community in my youth theatres growing up in Liverpool. I wanted to be a part of that offer for Scotland’s young people.

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PAUL ZEALEY

CHAIR

Tell us about an early memory of experiencing theatre
I was very fortunate to grow up in a town with a fabulous repertory theatre, with an ever-changing programme of productions, and which promoted a real desire for young people to be on-stage, backstage and in the audience. Without doubt, this fostered my life-long love of the arts.

Tell us about a piece of theatre or performance that had a deep impact on you
For sheer theatrical impact – Robert Lepage’s ‘Tectonic Plates’ at Tramway during Glasgow’s reign as European City of Culture.

Why are you involved with Scottish Youth Theatre?
Scottish Youth Theatre amplifies young people’s voices and creates opportunities to nurture Scotland’s next generation of theatre-makers. These are outcomes I am pleased to support.

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ROBERT ALLAN

BOARD MEMBER

Tell us about an early memory of experiencing theatre
My earliest memory was around six years old when I was going along to watch a rehearsal in Lauder where we lived at the time and my Dad was taking part in the local amateur dramatics. Strangely enough, I remember tucking into a fish supper afterwards as an equal highlight! 

Tell us about a piece of theatre or performance that had a deep impact on you
Going with the school to watch a performance of ‘La Boheme’. The coming together of the live orchestra, the singing and choreography at quite a young age was mesmerising. 

Why are you involved with Scottish Youth Theatre?
I love to see people find their passion and realise their potential. Scottish Youth Theatre provides young people with a platform on which to develop and grow both inner confidence as well as raw talent. There are so many positives that can come for future life through collaborating with others and I’m delighted to be associated with that.

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