Trisha Lee (FRSA) - Founder and Artistic Director
Trisha founded MakeBelieve Arts in 2002. Trisha oversees development of the artistic programme; devising and direction of theatre shows; initiation of creative programmes; and delivery of creative programmes requiring special knowledge and expertise.
Trisha has directed seven shows with the company and run countless projects in schools. She has worked in the US, the Netherlands, Japan, Qatar and Spain. Widely known for her work on The Helicopter Technique, she is in demand to speak at conferences and deliver INSETs for teachers.
Based on her work in theatre and education, her ability to link current educational theory with theatre practice and a passionate interest in how children learn, Trisha has published two chapters in Network Continuums Success in the Creative Classroom, where she wrote about The Helicopter Technique. In her second book, Happy Families, she tackled parenting and the emotions experienced during transition.
Trisha's brand new book, Teaching Mathematics Creatively, is co-written with Linda Pound and is due for release in November 2010. Follow the links to pre-order your copy and view Trish's author page on Amazon.
Trisha is a Fellow of the Royal Society for encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA). Trisha was also a cabinet-appointed Social Enterprise Ambassador from 2007-2010.
Pippa Taylor - Administrative Director
Pippa joined MakeBelieve Arts in April 2008 with several years experience in theatre and project administration having worked at, among others, Greenwich Theatre and Talawa Theatre Company.
She began her career doing work experience at the Century Theatre in Keswick, Cumbria and was lucky enough to be a regular member of staff during the transition to the new venue, Theatre by the Lake.
Once she left school, Pippa followed her passion for the arts by taking a BA in Drama at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and then an MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy at Goldsmiths College.
Alice Edwards - Creative Projects Coordinator
Alice joined MakeBelieve Arts in June 2009 with substantial experience of directing and facilitating projects with children, young people and community groups in the UK, Africa and India. Her belief in the transformative nature of creative engagement consolidated by studying a degree in Drama, Applied Theatre and Education (1st class honours).
Alice is enjoying the combination of project management and programme delivery in the role of Creative Projects Coordinator: being responsible for the supervision and delivery of projects, and liaising with schools and Creative Associates. Since joining MakeBelieve Arts Alice has had the opportunity to train in Restorative Approaches and Philosophical Enquiry in Education.
Ross Bolwell-Williams - Creative Projects Facilitator
Ross graduated from Central School of Speech and Drama, with a first class honours degree in Drama - Applied Theatre and Education.
Whilst at Central, Ross collaborated with a Kosivan theatre company: Centre for Children's Theatre Development, and worked with a playwright and local youth theatre to produce a touring theatre-in-education piece entitled ‘The Rainbow Bridge'.
Since leaving Central, Ross has worked as a director and workshop leader for London Bubble Theatre Company, delivering the company's education and creative programmes. Ross relishes working imaginatively with young people, and especially enjoys working in-role. He is dedicated to creating and facilitating engaging programmes of work to animate the curriculum.
Louise Forbes - Marketing and Administration Intern
Louise graduated from London College of Fashion, with a honours degree in Journalism.
During her time at the University of the Arts London Louise worked on press campaigns for Proctor and Gamble and Goldwell haircair. For her final year project she designed, wrote and produced a film magazine for women called Flick which she got a first class honours for.
Since graduating Louise has worked both at a nursery with pre-school children, organising the playscheme and Marketing co-ordinator for Birds Eye View film festival which held their festival at the BFI in March this year. Louise has enjoyed working both for and with children and marketing in the arts and is thrilled to be able to combine them here at MakeBelieve Arts.
Board of Trustees
Glenys Ingham (Chair - Head Teacher, Myatt Garden - Lewisham Primary school)
Bartle Sawbridge (Neighbourhood Governance Officer, London Borough of Merton)
Evan Placey (Playwright & Freelance Theatre Project Manager/Facilitator)
Gerald Lidstone (Director of the Institute of Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship (ICCE) and Deputy Head of the Drama Department, Goldsmiths University)
Graham Jameson (retired Head Teacher)
Anne-Marie Mills (Deputy Corporate Secretary - Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors)