THE PEOPLE
Meet the team behind the scenes at Scottish Youth Theatre.
THE STAFF
ANNIE LOWRY THOMAS
ARTISTIC PRODUCER
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
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
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 PRODUCER
Nonsense creator and
sudoku partaker
My role curates and evolves the digital identity of the company – both online and at in-person events. From managing communications and coordinating press, to designing printed materials, to producing the digital and immersive arms of our programme, I ensure the work of young artists is championed on the platform it deserves.
JOSIE YOUNG
DIGITAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Part-time photographer and
serial TV watcher
My focus is, mainly, all things social media – promoting our projects and celebrating the work of the artists we collaborate with through our various platforms. I also coordinate our online Dialogue programme, finding and commissioning pieces that will inform emerging and early-career theatre-makers about the industry.
VANESSA BUNN
ARTISTIC PRODUCER
Overthinker and sparkling
water drinker
I work responsively with and for emerging theatre artists to curate and facilitate projects which serve the development of their skills, confidence, knowledge and networks. My role hinges on cultivating connections
and creative collaborations with
artists, organisations and spaces
all over Scotland.
THE BOARD
AISHA JOSIAH
BOARD MEMBER
Tell us about what you do for work and your practice
Aisha Josiah is a playwright, dramaturg and producer passionate about innovative storytelling. She is CEO of Stage Analytics, a startup providing data-driven tools for theatre–makers and the editor of Fringebiscuit, an arts blog known for its accessible, ‘bite-sized’ critiques. Aisha is a freelance lecturer and mentors students at New York University.
Why are you involved with Scottish Youth Theatre?
I’m devoted to empowering young people to tell their stories and develop confidence through live performance. Scottish Youth Theatre’s commitment to nurturing creativity and inclusivity resonates deeply with me and I’m excited to support its mission to inspire the next generation of theatre artists and changemakers.
BETSY KING
BOARD MEMBER
Tell us about what you do for work and your practice
I have been acting since I was eight and in 2023 graduated in Professional Theatre Practice. I am a facilitator and theatre-maker, currently learning how to organise events and DJing. I am currently a student at QMU studying MFA Arts, Festival and Cultural Management.
Why are you involved with Scottish Youth Theatre?
I joined Scottish Youth Theatre’s Board as I have a passion for making and providing opportunities for artists in Scotland. I also really enjoy Cultural Policy work which heavily focuses on equity/inclusion and finance. Being part of the Board, I want to gain more experience looking at procedures, laws and how to manage an arts organisation.
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.
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.
JOAN PARR
CHAIR
Tell us about what you do for work and your practice
Joan has over 20 years’ experience working in the Scottish cultural sector, most recently as Director of Culture for City of Edinburgh Council and previously as a Director at Creative Scotland. She is passionate about the value of arts, culture and creativity to learning, development and the wellbeing of communities and individuals as well as eradicating barriers to access and participation.
Why are you involved with Scottish Youth Theatre?
Much of my career has been focused on young people in the arts and advocating for the value of creativity for personal and societal development and wellbeing. I am pleased to contribute to the excellent work of SYT as it grows in reach and ambition.
KEIRA SMITH
BOARD MEMBER
Tell us about what you do for work and your practice
Keira is an early-career theatre–maker based in Inverness. They are a director and writer whose work focuses on intersectional feminism and queerness. They advocate for emerging theatre-makers being given professional opportunities, particularly through their work with Vivid Roots Collective.
Why are you involved with Scottish Youth Theatre?
I am involved with Scottish Youth Theatre as I have benefitted personally from their work as a participant. They helped shape me and my values as a creator and we are aligned in our drive to engage young people in the arts.
SARA MISSAGHIAN-SCHIRAZI
BOARD MEMBER
Tell us about what you do for work and your practice
Sara is an award-winning Creative Producer and Director specialising in co-produced factual storytelling for Broadcast, Digital and Immersive.
Why are you involved with Scottish Youth Theatre?
I joined Scottish Youth Theatre’s Board because I believe theatre provides a vital first step for young people from marginalised backgrounds to develop an interest in the creative industries.
STEPHANIE
KATIE HUNTER
BOARD MEMBER
Tell us about what you do for work and your practice
Stephanie Katie Hunter is a producer and theatre–maker based in Glasgow, Scotland. Working across art forms and contexts since 2013, Stephanie now leads Scissor Kick, a production company that produces live performances across a range of genres from theatre to contemporary circus, physical theatre to new writing.
Why are you involved with Scottish Youth Theatre?
I first attended Scottish Youth Theatre when I was 3 years old and so feel exceptionally passionate about the success of the organisation and, in turn, the ways it can benefit young people all around the country to develop skills, make friends and learn more about the opportunities available within the performing arts.
Collaborate.
Create.
Reverberate.