News Story
We’re thrilled to announce our talented Creative Team for this year’s Artist Development Programme (ADP) 2025 show The Kindling, coming up on Sat 9 Aug.
Directed by critically acclaimed and award-winning director Stef O’Driscoll, this year’s team brings together returning ADP alumni and first-time collaborators in an exciting intergenerational mix of experience and perspective. The creative team includes:
- Director: Stef O’Driscoll
- Dramaturg: Ellie Fulcher
- Assistant Dramaturg and Concept Created by: Joelthomas Coleallison
- Head of Drama: Esme Allman
- Drama Assistant: Alana Chin
- Trainee Drama Practitioners: Nate Owusu-Ansah and Jamal Abdul
- Movement Director: Khalif Shakeil Edwards
- Choreographer: Lamar Douglas-Francis
- Trainee Dance Assistant: Elizabeth Akinyemi
- Musical Director: Ty Lowe
- Associate Musical Directors: Tjai Coleallison and Rianna Kellman
- Deputy Musical Director: Elijah Aduu
- Trainee Music Assistant: Mark Holder
- Designer: Sandra Falase
- Assistant Designer and Costume Supervisor: Hannah Schlenker
- Assistant Designer: Sherna Simpson-Thomas
- Trainee Design Assistant: Heleina Stefanos
- Stage Manager: Vanessa Sutherland
- Company Manager: Nadia Musah
- Company Assistant: Vivienne Isebor
- Executive Producer Lorna McGinity
- Creative Producer: Fatima Sheekhuna
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For the first time, the concept for ADP has been developed by a steering group of 15 former participants, who took part in a series of research and development workshops exploring themes including community, music, heritage, politics, family and friendship, asking “what are the stories that young people want to tell now, and why?” Working alongside ADP Associate Artists Danny Bailey, Mikey J Asante, Ellie Fulcher and Myah Jeffers, the group selected a concept by Joelthomas Coleallison – a writer, director and actor and former ADP participant – as the foundation for this year’s production.
The Kindling tells the story of Joy, the centre of her community, who saw something beyond everyone else and wanted the truth to be exposed. 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.
In just 10 days this August a company of 50 young artists and creatives, aged 14 - 19 years old will create and present an electrifying piece of new musical theatre on our main stage.
Choose What You Pay for The Kindling from £5. Book tickets now by clicking here or via the link below!
