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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.

Caroline Stevens

Caroline Stevens

Director, 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

Ellie Short

Creative Participation Manager, 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.

Charlott Saunders

Charlott Saunders

Development Manager, she/her

Charlott has recently joined HIT as Development Manager. With years of experience working with local communities, Charlott prides herself in making our services accessible for all. She is a mum of a hilarious toddler and has a passion for knitting, rugby and gin. In work and in her spare time you'll see her in and around Hertfordshire working with the community on things that matter to her the most, which is helping others and allowing people to be just themselves!

Kasia Truefitt

Kasia Truefitt

Community & Engagement Manager, she/her

Kasia joined HIT in 2022 as a support facilitator for the children and youth theatre groups in Stevenage. Kasia began her training in Contemporary Dance at The University of Chichester which led her to pursue a Masters of the Arts in Choreography from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in 2015.

Esther Smith

Esther Smith

Marketing Assistant, she/her

Esther joined HIT recently as the Marketing Assistant. She has previously worked as a marketing assistant for a touring theatre, a content writer for a startup, and a magazine journalist, where she once interviewed a man who lived in a bunker. Having studied in Norwich for a degree in English Literature with Creative Writing, Esther is committed to helping everyone tell their stories, whether on stage or off.

Amy Pryke

Amy Pryke

Participation Coordinator & Lead Workshop Facilitator, 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 be taking on other roles in the organisation as Participation Coordinator and the Access, Inclusion and Welfare Facilitator for both Stevenage and Hertford & Ware 16+ groups.

Tanya Byrne

Tanya Byrne

Company & Finance Assistant and Lead Workshop Facilitator - She/Her

Tanya has been involved in performing arts, community theatre and musical theatre from a young age - from performing onstage to playing and leading from the pit as a Music Director, and at the helm of many productions as Director. She is a classically trained pianist and singer who attended Chetham's School of Music, before graduating from Cardiff University with a joint honours degree in Music and English Literature.

Emma Harrington

Emma Harrington

Lead Workshops Facilitator - She/Her

Emma joined as a volunteer in 2003 and has siunce had a long standing relationship with Herts Inclusive Theatre and has played an integral part in the growth and success of the charity. Emma is a very passionate about the arts and working with people of all abilities. She has worked with children, young people and adults for over 16 years and has a wealth of knowledge working in an inclusive environment.

Aniqa Shah

Aniqa Shah

Access, Welfare & Inclusion Facilitator - Borehamwood Youth Theatre, she/her

Alison Kent

Alison Kent

Support Facilitator - Hemel Hempstead Children's and Youth Theatre - She/Her

Thom Jackson-Wood

Thom Jackson-Wood

Support Facilitator - Hertford & Ware 16+

Naomi Bhundia

Naomi Bhundia

Access, Welfare & Inclusion Coordinator - Online Adult Drama, she/her

Rose Williams

Rose Williams

Access, Welfare & Inclusion Facilitator - Watford and Hemel Hempstead Children & Youth Theatres, Acting Up Adult Theatre, she/her

Tom Brain

Tom Brain

Resource Facilitator - Borehamwood Youth Theatre, Stevenage Children and Youth Theatre, Hertford and Ware 16+

Shaine Davis

Shaine Davis

Support Facilitator - Acting Up Adult Theatre, she/her

Suzanne Brannigan

Suzanne Brannigan

Support Facilitator - Hemel Children & Youth Theatre

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The Board

Gayle Bryans

Gayle Bryans

Chair (she/her)

Lee Keogh

Lee Keogh

Deputy Chair & Young Trustee (he/him)

Rhea Dickman

Rhea Dickman

Young Trustee (she/her)

Tejneet Chowdhury

Tejneet Chowdhury

Trustee (she/her)

Sharon Shapiro

Sharon Shapiro

Trustee (she/her)

Aniela Perriam

Aniela Perriam

Trustee (she/her)

David Duncan

David Duncan

Treasurer (he/him)

Our Patron

Sarah Beazley