Meet the Team

Herts Inclusive Theatre is a charity based in St Albans, Hertfordshire. We are run by a small, passionate team of dedicated theatre professionals.

Our Patron

Sarah Beazley

Our Office Team

Caroline England

Chief Executive Officer,

she/her

Caroline joined HIT in 2008 as Artistic Director, and in 2018 became the CEO leading the strategic and operational side of the organisation. Caroline has previously worked for London Bubble, Trestle Theatre Company, Srishti, The New Theatre Royal, Harrow Arts Centre as well as working as a freelance practitioner and director. She gained a BA from Winchester University in Community Theatre, Drama and Media, through which she specialised in theatre with children with Autism and life debilitating illnesses.

Ellie Short

Head of Participation & Inclusion ,

she/her

Ellie joined HIT as a freelance facilitator in 2017, joining as Creative Participation Manager in 2020. Having gained BA in Drama and Theatre Arts at Goldsmiths, and a MA in Acting Arts Ed Ellie has worked as an actor, inclusive theatre practitioner and creative learning producer throughout London and Hertfordshire, working for companies including Churchill Theatre, Hoxton Hall, East End Shed and Polka Theatre. Ellie was Creative Learning Officer for Churchill Theatre for over six years, producing children’s theatre, co- producing their annual participation festivals for participants aged 4-90 and managing their award winning Work Experience Programme.

Emma Harrington

Community & Education Manager,

Lead Facilitator, Activate Harrow

she/her

Tanya Byrne

Fundraising Manager,

Lead Workshop Facilitator,

Sparkle & Ignite Hemel-

She/Her

Tanya joined HIT as a freelance facilitator in 2021 before also joining the core team as Operations Coordinator, before taking on the role of Fundraising Manager. Classically trained at Chetham’s School of Music in piano and singing, Tanya has been active in performing arts, community arts and musical theatre from a young age. As well as performing extensively on stage and in the pit, she has progressed through a range of leadership roles such as Music Director, Stage Manager, Head of Arts and Artistic Director for schools, theatre companies and charities around the world including in London, Los Angeles and Beijing. She graduated from Exeter University in 2023 with a MA in Education (Special Needs and Inclusion pathway). Since moving to Hertfordshire, Tanya has pursued varied creative roles with a focus on inclusion, advocacy, community and wellbeing.

Amy Pryke

Participation & Community Coordinator,

Lead Workshop Facilitator, Activate Ware & Ignite Stevenage

she/her

Amy is a multi-skilled performer specialising in theatre and film, plus storytelling with her company ‘Tales From The Hart’. Gaining a BA (Hons) in Community Theatre at East 15 Acting School in 2011, she has personal and professional experience of disability, including working with young people and adults in SEND education settings in addition to being a drama workshop leader and facilitator. Amy has been thrilled to be a part of HIT since she first joined as a Support Facilitator in 2022, and she is delighted to have taken on other roles in the organisation- Participation & Community Coordinator and the Lead Facilitator for both Ignite Stevenage and Activate Ware groups.

Oluwatoni Adegboye

Company & Finance Administrator

she/her

Toni joined HIT in 2025 as a Company & Finance Administrator. Toni gained a BA in Fine Arts at Southampton University and pursued cybersecurity training through ISC2. Toni’s love for the creative industry has encouraged her to work actively within the creative arts and advocate for the importance of artistic outlets for mental well-being and personal growth.