Who I Am

At the heart of my work is a hope that theatre can be used as a platform for those denied a voice in our divided and fragmented society. Be that in the role of director, producer, community theatre practitioner or university lecturer. Although sometimes gregarious, sometimes blunt and direct, I prefer to sit behind my work, allowing the people whom I make my work for, with and about, to lead.

As you'll see from the Teaching page, I have had the great pleasure of working with The Identity School of Acting (IDSA) and The Independent Centre for Actor Training (ICAT). The joy of working with both was the diversity of the students, both from a cultural and class perspective, and a wide range of ages.

In the time Stuart has worked at Identity he has demonstrated his skill and experience as a teacher of acting techniques and his talent as an experienced and innovative director. Sam Miller, Head of Acting IDSA

Until recently I was the Associate Director at Cardboard Citizens (2017-19). An extraordinary theatre company working with those that have experienced homelessness, my role covered a number of areas: directing the hostel and prison tour of Rising, a Forum Theatre piece by Femi Keeling; leading on the curation and delivery of a programme of accredited skills based learning with diverse groups of members, aged 16 to 25 and older…remarkable people who have suffered the trauma of homelessness; developing and managing a range of training workshops for voluntary sector and local authority clients.

Stuart is a good strategic thinker with a considerable in-depth knowledge of the theatre sector and a wide range of contacts. Adrian Jackson AD and CEO, Cardboard Citizens

Other roles include Creative Director at Theatre Is…a strategic organisation funded by Arts Council to develop young talent in the East of England, producing high quality work for young audiences (2006 to 2013).

Stuart’s drive and creativity was always at the core of Theatre Is... and he was instrumental in putting the company at the forefront of the development of arts as a tool to enrich the lives of disadvantaged young people. Jo Askham Former Chair of Theatre Is

In this role I developed a relationship with the University of Hertfordshire where I became Subject Coordinator and Lecturer in Acting and Screen Performance (2011/14). In response to my work the University sponsored a Masters in Applied Theatre at the Royal School of Speech and Drama (2015).

In 2014, in a freelance capacity I directed Tiny Treasures by Kevin Dyer for Theatre Hullaballoo. In 2016 in partnership with Unit Twenty Three, I produced and directed Freefall by Anna Reynolds, a piece celebrating the lives of young carers; and in 2018, in partnership with Forest Forge Theatre Company I produced and directed Hidden by Vickie Donoghue, an adaptation of Miriam Halahmy's celebrated novel for young adults.