WE ARE CHRONIC INSANITY
A Nottingham based theatre company that creates and facilitates live events in a variety of traditional, found, and digital spaces. We make work accessibly, affordably, sustainably, and inclusively. We seek to change the definition of what theatre can be by playing with form, genre, medium, and technology. We follow Staging Change guidelines, actively provide opportunities for theatre makers from all backgrounds, and record how each production is made so people can learn from them. We can often be found running the UK's first dedicated digital theatre literary department, managing our cave based arts venue underneath Nottingham, The Void, and staging at least 12 shows every 12 months.
DR. JOE STRICKLAND
PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
Joe Strickland is a theatre maker, digital producer, creative technologist and access consultant with great energy and passion. Since 2012 they have been helping to create all manner of theatre and performance in venues across the country.​
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They are the Artistic Director & CEO of Chronic Insanity, Digital Producer at DaDa, Producer for the Chronically Ill Artists Network, and a Trustee of The King's Hall Trust For The Arts.
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They are the Digital Producer for Puncture The Screen, Chronic Insanity's data driven art and performance festival, and the Venue Manager for both Insanity Point, a Nottingham-based pop-up streaming venue for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and The Void, an immersive performance and exhibition space housed in a system of caves in Nottingham.
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They are an artist supported by the Nottingham Playhouse, a studio member with Near Now, and have been a BBC New Creative and an Associate Artist with New Perspectives and Nonsuch Studios.
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They have a PhD in Future Experience Technologies and Storytelling, which was based at the University of Nottingham's Mixed Reality Lab and partnered with the Horizon CDT, University of Nottingham and the BBC. They specialise in using traditional theatre making techniques and applying them to entertainment technology, such as virtual and augmented reality, as well as recreating physical presence using these technologies.
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They are an experienced digital culture and accessibility consultant, having spoken about the subjects internationally and worked with a large range of organisations, including the BFI, Young Vic, BBC R&D and British Council. They are currently part of the Access Working Group at the Nottingham Playhouse
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In 2022 they won the Off West End award for Best Audio Production for Red Breast by Lotty Holder. In 2023 they won the Digital Culture Network Award for Digital Transformation, as well as being nominated for the Digital Ambassador award. They were also nominated for the Off West End award for Best Director for their work on 24, 23, 22 by Doug Deans.
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They are also a multi-award winning magician and an accomplished musician.
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Current Projects​​
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Broad Meadow (Sylvia Rimat) - Access Consultant
Broadmead, Bristol
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The Waiting Room (One and Three Quarters) - Creative Technologist
Venue TBC
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Non-Player Character: A Virtual Reality Musical (Brendan Bradley) - Consulting Producer
YOTEL, Edinburgh
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2023
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New Leaf (Chronic Insanity) - Director, Producer, Programmer
CAST Theatre, Doncaster
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Matryoshka (Joe Strickland) - Writer, Director, Designer, Producer
Theatre 503, London
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Puncture The Screen 2023 (Chronic Insanity) - Digital Producer
Nottingham // Norwich // Online
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Fabula: A Hologram Theatre System (Chronic Insanity) - Director, Creative Technologist
The Garage, Norwich // Broadway Cinema, Nottingham
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Stewed (Natalie Patuzzo & Joe Strickland) - Writer, Producer, Sound Designer
Online
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Lifetimes (Lotty Holder) - Director, Creative Technologist
Nonsuch Studios, Nottingham // Online
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The Road To Happiness (Tom Proffitt) - Director, Producer, Designer, Workshop Leader
Nonsuch Studios, Nottingham
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20B Thanet Road (Kathleen O'Dougherty & Doug Deans) - Director
Old Red Lion, London
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BATMAN (aka Naomi's Death Show) (Naomi Westerman) - Co-Producer
Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham
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LIVE Scarborough (Barrel Organ) - Artist Consultant
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough // Theatre Deli, Sheffield // Online
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24, 23, 22 (Doug Deans) - Director, DJ, Producer
Underbelly Cowgate, Edinburgh
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Myles Away (Tennexa Freeman & Joe Strickland) - Co-director, Co-writer, Designer, Performer, Producer
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
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PNOC.io (Joe Strickland) - Playwright, Director, Creative Technologist, Producer
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
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Red Breast (Charlotte Holder) - Director, Producer, Creative Technologist
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
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There's Something Among Us (Joe Strickland) - Director, Performer, Designer
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
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Flavour Text (Chronic Insanity) - Director, Designer, Story Editor
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
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Becca (Emily Holyoake) - Producer, Director, Set Designer
Online // Nonsuch Studios, Nottingham
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i used to know H.I.M (Yasmine Dankwah) - Producer
Online // BBC Radio London
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ONLYCONNECT (Maya Little) - Producer, Creative Technologist
Online
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Post No Evil (Erinn Dhesi) - Producer, Creative Technologist
Online
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Avoi:Dance/Laban VR (Tom Dale) - Creative Technologist
Various Locations, Nottingham
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Andy's Coming (Joe Strickland) - Game Master, Producer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
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PURDAH (Evie Osbon) - Access Consultant
Nonsuch Studio, Nottingham
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20B Thanet Road (Kathleen O'Dougherty & Doug Deans) - Director
Pinch of VAULT, London
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Batman (aka Naomi's Death Show) (Naomi Westerman)- Producer, Creative Technologist
Online
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Joe Drinks Wine And Gives Themsleves A Haircut (Nat Henderson) - Performer
New Art Exchange, Nottingham
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24, 23, 22 (Doug Deans) - Director, Composer, Musician, Producer
Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton // Old Fire Station, Oxford
Hull Truck Theatre, Hull
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Snowflakes (Robert Boulton) - Producer
Park Theatre, London
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Seven Strikes (Chronic Insanity) - Producer, Director, Immersive Designer, Performer
Camden People's Theatre, London
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BATMAN (aka Naomi's Death Show) (Naomi Westerman) - Producer
VAULT Festival, London
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Interdimensional Phishing Scam (Chronic Insanity) - Director, Producer, Writer
LCB Depot, Leicester
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All Falls Down (Chronic Insanity) - Game Master, Producer
VAULT Festival, London
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Allsorts (Chronic Insanity) - Producer
Nonsuch Studios, Nottingham
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2022​
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LIVE Bradford (Barrel Organ) - Artist Consultant
Thornbury Centre, Bradford // Online
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BATMAN (aka Naomi's Death Show) (Naomi Westerman) - Producer
Pleasance, London
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Physical Graffiti (Chronic Insanity) - Director
Various Locations, Nottingham
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​See No Hear No Speak No Evil (Chronic Insanity) - Curator
Surface Gallery, Nottingham
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Penumbra (Chronic Insanity) - Writer, Director, Designer
Online // The Void, Nottingham
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Some Other Mirror (Laurie Owen) - Director, Producer
Nonsuch Studios, Nottingham
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24, 23, 22 (Douglas Deans) - Director, Composer, Musician, Producer
Unity Theatre, Liverpool // Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham
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What Really Happened To Vine? (Chronic Insanity) - Director, Editor
Online // The Void, Nottingham // San Gwann, Malta
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Medusa: Reloaded (Nicki Morley) - Director, Designer
The Void, Nottingham // Online
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All Falls Down: Metaverse (Chronic Insanity) - Game Master, Producer
Live Xinema IV, Nottingham (Cancelled)
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All Falls Down (Chronic Insanity) - Game Master, Producer
Robin Hood International Improv Festival, Nottingham
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52 Souls (Chronic Insanity) - Producer, Writer, Performer, Director
ZOO Playground, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
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Some Other Mirror (Laurence Owen) - Director, Producer
Pianodrome, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
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Allsorts (Chronic Insanity) - Producer
Rough Trade, Nottingham // The Chapel, Nottingham // Surface Gallery, Nottingham
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Interdimensional Phishing Scam (Chronic Insanity) - Director, Producer, Writer
Oxford Playhouse, Oxford
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Puncture The Screen 2022 (Chronic Insanity) - Digital Producer
Broadway Cinema, Nottingham // Online
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Is LaMDA Sentient? (Chronic Insanity) - Director, Performer, Creative Technologist
Online
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UPLIFT (Mindout Theatre) - Digital and Access Consultant
Nottingham // Mansfield
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INUNDAME (CASA Festival) - Creative Technologist
Museum's Trust, York
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Joe Drinks Wine And Gives Themsleves A Haircut (Nat Henderson) - Performer, Designer
Nottingham Poetry Festival, Online
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24, 23, 22 (Douglas Deans) - Director, Composer, Musician, Producer
Omnibus Theatre, London
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The Road To Happiness (Tom Proffitt) - Producer, Director
ENTER, London (Read-through)
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All Falls Down (Chronic Insanity) - Game Master, Producer
CRYPT, London
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Secure. Contain. Protect. (Chronic Insanity) - Director, Producer, Performer
Camden People's Theatre, London
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Medea (Megan Gates) - Producer
Park Estate, Nottingham (Read-through)
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All The King's Men (Joe Strickland) - Writer, Designer, Producer
Living Record Festival, Online
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24, 23, 22 (Douglas Deans) - Director, Musician, Composer
VAULT Festival, London (Cancelled)
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LIVE Holbeck (Barrel Organ) - Digital Consultant
The Holbeck, Leeds
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Voice Thief (Limbik Theatre) - Creative Technologist
The Lowry, Salford
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2021​​
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Masque (Kate Webster) - Producer, Performer
Online
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LIVE London (Barrel Organ) - Digital Consultant
Camden People's Theatre, London
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Pull (Emily Holyoake) - Director, Designer
Theatre Deli, London
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Some People Climb Up (Sylvia Rimat) - Access Consultant
Leigh Woods, Bristol
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Criminal Intent (Chronic Insanity) - Director, Producer, Designer
Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham
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24, 23, 22 (Douglas Deans) - Director, Musician, Composer
Nonsuch Studios, Nottingham
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Define Your Journey (Jo-anne Cox) - Producer
Online
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Joe Drinks Wine and Gives Themsleves a Haircut (Nat Henderson) - Performer, Designer
Online
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52 Souls (Chronic Insanity) - Performer, Producer
Insanity Point, Edinburgh Festival Fringe
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The Next Best Thing (Emily Holyoake) - Director, Creative Technologist
Puncture The Screen, Online
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Puncture The Screen 2021 (Chronic Insanity) - Digital Producer
Online
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PNOC.io (Joe Strickland) - Playwright, Director, Creative Technologist
Camden People's Theatre, London
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Red Breast (Charlotte Holder) - Director, Producer, Creative Technologist
Online
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PVC (Chronic Insanity) - Director, Producer, Set Designer
Offbeat Festival, Oxford
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​Polly: A Drag Rebellion (Joe Strickland) - Playwright, Performer, Producer
The Warren, Brighton Fringe
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There's Something Among Us (Joe Strickland) - Director, Performer, Designer
Online // The Place Bedford, Bedford // World Wide Virtual Fringe Festival
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Hairy Hands FM (Joe Strickland) - Writer, Director, Designer
BBC New Creatives, South West
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Flavour Text (Chronic Insanity) - Director, Designer, Story Editor
Online
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24, 23, 22 (Douglas Deans) - Director, Performer, Composer
Online
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We Ask These Questions of Everybody (Toria Banks & Amble Skuse) - Producer
Sound Festival, Aberdeen
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Means of Production (Joe Strickland and Rebecca Saw) - Director, Playwright, Producer, Editor
Online // Electric Medway, Chatham
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52 Souls (Chronic Insanity) - Playwright, Director, Programmer, Producer
The Place Bedford, Bedford
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2020
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GUEST (Joe Strickland) - Director, Producer, Playwright
Online
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Stay Safe (New Perspectives) - Creative Technologist, Puppeteer
Signal Fires, UK
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52 Souls (Chronic Insanity) - Playwright, Director, Designer, Producer
Online
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Myles Away (Tennexa Freeman & Joe Strickland) - Co-director, Co-writer, Designer Performer, Producer
Online // The Place Bedford, Bedford
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Conduit (Joe Strickland) - Performer, Director, Playwright, Producer
Online // ZOO TV
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Life_Stream (Joe Strickland) - Director, Producer, Playwright
Online
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Circulation (Nat Henderson) - Director, Producer, Composer
Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham
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Glitch (Krystina Nellis) - Producer
VAULT Festival, London
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PVC (Nat Henderson and Joe Strickland) - Director, Producer, Set Designer
Broadway Cinema, Nottingham // Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham
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Polly: A Drag Rebellion (Joe Strickland) - Playwright, Performer, Producer
Angel Microbrewery, Nottingham
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2019
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Edward II (Christopher Marlowe) - Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
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The Wonderful World of Dissocia (Anthony Neilson) - Director, Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
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painstaking. (Nat Henderson) - Producer, Director, Set Designer
Pepper Rocks, Nottingham
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Higher (Tara Anegada) - Producer, Director, Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
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Politer Guests (Chronic Insanity) - Director, Producer, Performer
National Justice Museum, Nottingham
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Dark Vanilla Jungle (Philip Ridley) - Director, Producer
Arbour Hill, Nottingham
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Polly: A Drag Rebellion (Joe Strickland) - Playwright, Performer, Producer
Greenside @ Nicholson Square, Edinburgh
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Apollo: Take 111 (Tom Proffitt) - Performer, Co-Director, Producer, Set Designer
ZOO Southside, Edinburgh
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Hard Truths - Improv Performer
Greenside @ Nicholson Square, Edinburgh
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It Could Only Happen Here (NSDF Company) - Performer, Director, Playwright
Sue Townsend Theatre, Leicester
Rat King (Oliver Binns) - Performer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Human Animals (Stef Smith) - Director, Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Inhabitation (Nah Henderson) - Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Glassy Ceiling, Concrete Flaw (Rachel Elphick) - Composer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Hard Truths - Improv Performer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Night of the Soul (David Farr) - Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
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2018
X (Alistair Macdowall) - Director, Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
The Importance of Being Earnest (Oscar Wilde) - Director
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Creating Rumours (Emma Summerton) - Director, Producer, Performer
Greenside @ Nicholson Square, Edinburgh
Strangers: Mindreader (Joe Strickland) - Director, Playwright, Producer, Performer
Greenside @ Nicholson Square, Edinburgh
Strangers: Pairs (Joe Strickland) - Director, Playwright, Producer
Greenside @ Nicholson Square, Edinburgh
Macbeth (William Shakespeare) - Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (Douglas Adams, James Gross, Arvind Ethan David) - Performer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Fairytaleheart (Philip Ridley) - Director, Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
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2017
A Doll’s House (Henrik Ibsen/Simon Stephens) - Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Paper Cranes (Nat Henderson) - Producer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Strangers: A Magic Play II (Joe Strickland) - Director, Playwright, Producer, Performer
theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall, Edinburgh
Rumours (Emma Summerton) - Performer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Monarch (Tom Heath) - Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
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In a World of Perspectives (TEDxUoN) - Speaker
Keighton Auditorium, Nottingham
The Nether (Jennifer Haley) - Director, Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
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2016
Mercury Fur (Philip Ridley) - Director, Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Strangers: a Magic Play (Joe Strickland) - Director, Playwright, Producer
theSpace @ Jurys Inn, Edinburgh
And Then There Were None (Agatha Christie) - Producer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
The Skriker (Caryl Churchill) - Director, Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Oedipus the King (Steven Berkoff) - Performer
Lakeside Arts, Nottingham
Skylight (David Hare) - Set Designer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
2015
The Master and Margarita (Edward Kemp) - Performer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Strangers (Joe Strickland) - Producer, Director, Playwright
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Boat (Kiran Millwood Hargrave) - Producer
The Balham, London
Crushed Shells and Mud (Ben Musgrave) - Producer
Southwark Playhouse, London
The Toyland Murders (Ben Hollands) - Executive Producer
Performing Arts Studio, Nottingham
Reservoir Dogs (Quentin Tarantino/Carn Truscott) - Producer
Bartons PLC, Nottingham
Brave New World (Aldous Huxley/Roger Parsley) - Producer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
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2014
Our Country’s Good (Timberlake Wertenbaker) - Producer
Nottingham New Theatre, Nottingham
Waiting for Godot (Samuel Beckett) - Assistant Producer, Marketing Manager
Burton-Taylor Studio, Oxford
R&J (Mary Clapp) - Marketing Manager
Michael Pilch Auditorium, Oxford
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2013
Surprise (James P Mannion) - Producer
Keble O’Reilly Theatre, Oxford
Esarhaddon: The Substitute King (Selena Wisnom) - Producer
Simpkins Lee Theatre, Oxford
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2012
The Man Who Turned Into a Stick (Kobo Abe) - Producer, Director
Burton-Taylor Studio, Oxford
Art (Yasmina Reza) - Producer, Director, Actor
Deaton Theatre, London
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Education
PhD Future Experience Technologies
University of Nottingham
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Msc Psychology Research Methods
University of Nottingham
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BA Experimental Psychology
University of Oxford
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A-levels: Chemistry A*; Physics, Biology, Maths A
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GCSEs: 10A*, 1A
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Other experience
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Season Producer of The Immersive Theatre Society (2019-2020)
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Troupe Director of University of Nottingham Improv (2019-2020)
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External Relations Manager of the Nottingham New Theatre (2018-2019)
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President and founder of Tadpole Inc Productions (2013-2016)
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Workshop Manager of the Nottingham New Theatre (2015-2016)
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Treasurer of the Oxford University Psychology Society (2014-2015)
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Treasurer of the Oxford Origami Society (2014-2015)
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President of the Oxford Origami Society (2013-2014)
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Professional magician, winning multiple awards and performing for The Magic Circle, RAG, the London Borough of Waltham Forest, the NHS, and various private events
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Magic consultant for Rough-Hewn Productions, The London Film Academy, and Redbridge Youth Theatre Workshop, and Liam Webber