About The Kindling
I was warning.
I was signal.
I was storm before the silence.
Joy was the centre of the community. Joy saw something beyond everyone else. Joy wanted the truth to be exposed.
In the wake of a devastating fire, that claims the life of Joy and a youth centre at the heart of a people, a group is left shaken, in search of answers, closure and healing.
What begins as a tragedy becomes an unravelling of systems and stories, of who gets to speak and who gets remembered in a world that would rather brand pain than confront it.
This powerful newly-devised work explores what it means to be truly heard and what happens when a community choose not to forget.
Our Artist Development Programme (ADP) is produced by Hackney Empire Creative Futures. In just 10 days, a company of 50 young artists and creatives, aged 14 - 19 years old, led by industry professionals, create and present an electrifying piece of new musical theatre to perform on our main stage.
Concept Created by Joelthomas Coleallison.
Devised and Performed by The ADP 2025 Company.
Presented by Hackney Empire Creative Futures.
Supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Backstage Trust, John Thaw Foundation, Charles S French Charitable Trust and the Chalk Cliff Trust.
Contact list of staff members
Stef O’Driscoll
- Role
- Director
Ellie Fulcher
- Role
- Dramaturg
Joelthomas Coleallison
- Role
- Assistant Dramaturg and Concept Creator
Esme Allman
- Role
- Head of Drama
Alana Chin
- Role
- Drama Assistant
Nate Owusu-Ansah
- Role
- Trainee Drama Practitioner
Jamal Abdul
- Role
- Trainee Drama Practitioner
Khalif Shakeil Edwards
- Role
- Movement Director
Lamar Douglas-Francis
- Role
- Choreographer
Elizabeth Akinyemi
- Role
- Trainee Dance Assistant
Ty Lowe
- Role
- Musical Director
Tjai Coleallison
- Role
- Associate Musical Director
Rianna Kellman
- Role
- Associate Musical Director
Elijah Aduu
- Role
- Deputy Musical Director
Mark Holder
- Role
- Trainee Music Assistant
Sandra Falase
- Role
- Designer
Hannah Schlenker
- Role
- Assistant Designer and Costume Supervisor
Sherna Simpson-Thomas
- Role
- Assistant Designer
Heleina Stefanos
- Role
- Trainee Design Assistant
Vanessa Sutherland
- Role
- Stage Manager
Nadia Musah
- Role
- Company Manager
Vivienne Isebor
- Role
- Company Assistant
Lorna McGinity
- Role
- Executive Producer
Fatima Sheekhuna
- Role
- Creative Producer
