Angel Shed Theatre

Creative Team

Artistic Director – Lorraine Grout

“Growing up in the borough of Islington with so much to offer artistically,

I wonder how different my life would be if I had grown up somewhere else”

Lorraine studied a BA in Performing Arts, specialising Community Arts (majoring in music) at the LIPA (Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts - Paul McCartney’s School). She is a highly skilled performing arts facilitator, director, musician, actress and attended music school from the age of 7 funded by a scholarship awarded by Islington council, where she has been a resident for 30 years. She understands the unique importance of access to the arts and the impact it can have on the direction of your life. She specialises in the unique form of inclusive theatre and started as a volunteer at Angel Shed trained by Chickenshed for two years from 2004 and took over as artistic director in 2006. She is trained up to Level 2 in BSL (British Sign Language). Lorraine is the Child Protection officer for Angel Shed and also specialises in working with children, young people and adults with high behavioural, emotional and mental health needs.

Over 8 years Lorraine has trained volunteer practitioners, as well as youth theatre and children theatre members at Angel Shed and continues to support the exciting team. Lorraine artistically directs whilst managing the whole company with the help and guidance from the management committee.

Lead Artistic Practitioner – Joanne Merritt

“I thought all theatre was inclusive - drama school was a big shock!”

Joanne grew up as a member of Chickenshed from the age of five and went through the total inclusive theatre process through children theatre, youth theatre and youth theatre support. She was then chosen to deliver on the outreach project and toured London schools specialising in pairing up mainstream and special needs schools. She soon progressed to be one of the lead performers in Peter Pan (Christmas production 2001) playing ‘Wendy’ and then toured ‘Globaleyes’ in 2002 at the Royal Opera House. Through this level of experience her knowledge of inclusive theatre practice is invaluable. Joanne attended LIPA (Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts - Paul McCartney’s School) and obtained a First Class Hons BA in Performing Arts -Community Arts (majoring in Dance).

Volunteers

We also have a strong team of 20+ dedicated volunteer practitioners who are all part of the creative process and projects.

Lucy Lott - Script Writer

Lucy graduated from the University of East Anglia in 2003 with a First Class degree in Drama, and followed that with a stint at Edinburgh Festival where she performed her own one-woman show. Since then Lucy has lived and worked in London and Brighton and most recently, received a Distinction from Bath Spa University for her MA in Scriptwriting. She has volunteered with Angel Shed for a year as a drama practitioner, during which time she has collaborated with Lorraine and Jo to write the scripts for the last two productions. She recently moved to Australia but is looking forward to continuing to help write scripts for future Angel Shed productions!

Paul Brocklehurst - Photographer

Paul is our voluntary photographer who photographs our sessions and performances; he has run his own photography business for the last four years and clients include Borough Market, Aston Martin and Thorpe Park. During the 2012 Olympic Games, Paul was asked to photograph the fireworks for both the opening and closing ceremonies, and he has also photographed Princess Anne, Gordon Ramsay and John Cleese.

"Photographing the talented performers at Angel Shed Theatre is definitely one of the best jobs I do!"

Milo McGrath - Lighting and Sound Technician

Milo was a student at the City and Islington College and volunteered for Angel Shed as the technician for two productions including the tour of 'Worn out but still useful'. Milo was in charge of lighting, sound and digital imagery.

"Working as a volunteer technician for Angel Shed has helped me to understand the inner workings of theatre. I now know how to operate sound, lighting and projections in professional shows thanks to Angel Shed. Without the experience with Angel Shed is is unlikey I would have gained a place at LAMDA this September."

Stella Ramsdon - Film Maker

Stella is our Film Maker and has been volunteering with us since November 2012. She came on board during the project of 'Our Days Together'.

Stella works freelance in the UK film and TV indistries. Her credits include work as production assistant, researcher and runner on many projects. She has produced, directed and joint edited two shorts in the past two years. She has also made promotional films for other charities, as well as Angel Shed.

To see the Angel Shed Promo film of 'Our Days Together' that Stella has filmed and edited, see link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rBv6WsPJrk

Winona Harrod - Graphic Designer

Winona is our volunteer Graphic Designer who has been volunteering with us since January 2013. Winona is currently working in the deisgn team for 'Guide dogs for the blind association'. Winona designs and edits all our posters and flyers.

"I am passionate about the Arts and I think Angel Shed Theatre are doing great things for children and young people within the local Islington community and I enjoy being apart of that"

Management Team

Hazel East - Secretary

Hazel has been part of Angel Shed for three years. She started as a volunteer creative practitioner and now is the secretary on the management team. Hazel assists with fundraising and general policies and procedures. She has recently nominated Angel Shed for charity of the year with Sedos Theatre Company and we were successful!

Rachael Orr - Chair

Rachael Orr has been part of Angel Shed for six years. She started as a volunteer practitioner and then became part of the management committee. Rachael assists with the management committee meetings and helps Angel Shed to secure funds, keep up to date with all policies and procedures and the general management of the organisation.

Our Management Team is a group of dedicated individuals all with a personal interest in developing Angel Shed. Team members volunteer, bringing skills and expertise from their diverse and varied professional backgrounds to ensure the efficient and effective running of Angel Shed. They support the creative teams fulfilling roles for which the company cannot afford to pay. The Management Team meets at least once per term to discuss and guide the running of the overall company.

If you are interested in joining our Management Team, please download, print, complete and send the below application form to us at Angel Shed Theatre Company, CANDI, 444 Camden Road, Islington, London, N7 0SP

Management Team Application Form (to download right click the link and save to your computer)