Practitioners

Associates

Susana Howard, Associate
Writer and actor Susanna Howard created Living Words in 2006, a cross-disciplinary arts programme working with people with dementia and the wider community. Susanna currently works on artistic residencies; staff training workshops; corporate theatre workshops to integrate and normalise the experience of dementia within the wider community and she presents/performs at a wide range of arts events.

Dave Toole, Associate
After much soul-searching, Dave decided to bring an end to his glamorous nine-year stint in the Leeds Post Office to pursue a career in the arts. After training at the Laban Centre, Dave began touring both nationally and internationally as a dancer with companies such as DV8 and CandoCo to much acclaim. In recent years Dave has decided to slow things down a little and become an actor and has subsequently appeared in theatre including ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ (Graeae), Sarah Kane’s ‘Blasted’ in the West End and most recently as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company in ‘I’ll Be The Devil’ at The Tricycle. His film credits include ‘The Tango Lesson’ (Sally Potter) and ‘Amazing Grace’ (Michael Apted) and he appeared in the HBO TV series ‘Rome’.

Kareena Oates, Associate

As a self proclaimed circus celebrity, Kareena takes dodging the paparazzi all in her stilettoed stride. In 1992, Kareena single-handedly kicked off the hula hoop craze still sweeping Australia. Originally trained by the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, Kareena has since worked with Rock 'n' Roll Circus, Club Swing, Circus Oz and England's world-renowned dance company D.V.8 Physical Theatre. In 2001 she performed on 42nd street in New York with Circus OZ. Entertainer to the stars, Kareena has wowed the likes of Tom Cruise, Robert de Niro, Nicole Kidman and Ricki Lake. She recently became a Guinness world record holder for hula hooping 100 hoops.

Tom Hodgson, Associate

After graduating from the Bird College of Performing Arts London, Tom began his career in the musical "Cats" before moving into contemporary dance.

Tom has worked across Europe with various companies including : Kiel Ballet; Ballet Braunschweig; Richard Wherlock's Ballet Lucerne; Scapino Ballet Rotterdam; Dansity Amsterdam; Conny Janssen Danst; DV8 Physical Theatre and Ricochet Dance Productions. In 2002, Tom and Henrik Kaalund won 1 st prize at the International Competition for Young Choreographers in Hanover Germany for their piece "Two 2 Never".

Tom has also worked extensively in Australia , performing with choreographer Sue Healey; Kate Champion's company Force Majeure and with Opera Australia in productions at the Sydney Opera House.

Tom has appeared in films by Markus Fischer; Willem van de Bakhuyzen and Lloyd Newson and recently worked as assistant to choreographer Peter Darling on the new "Billy Elliot" musical.

Jason Neish, Associate

Jason has worked with Synergy Theatre Project, National Youth Theatre, London Metropolitan University, schools, colleges and exclusion centers and he was a founding member of the steering committee at the NYT’s Playing Up course. He has worked with isolated individuals, groups and communities since 2003. Jason work transforms and challenges perceptions of both offenders and personnel in positions of authority, those dealing directly with vulnerable groups, and those transferring into higher education.

Natalie Roberts, Associate

A graduate from Mountview Theatre School in 1997 Natalie pursued a career in Musical Theatre working in London’s west end and worldwide in various musical productions. Natalie has also worked as a session singer, vocal coach and theatre director, at a number of stage schools in the south east of England. Natalie’s theatre school students are appearing in Billy Elliot and the national tour of The Sound of Music. As well as working with Diverse City, Natalie also runs projects for Compass, a charity funded arts organisation in Eastbourne, and is a signing teacher at Bexhill F.E College.

Rachel Ellis, Associate
Rachel is an actor and facilitator. She studied performing arts at Middlesex University and also trained and performed with Polish director Mila Stolarska for five years, with whom she went on to co-found Spit and Polish Theatre Company. Rachel now has her own theatre company called Faculty of Wonder. She has worked for the National Youth Theatre, Artis, Shakespeare Schools Festival and the British Council. Rachel also works in mainstream and special primary and secondary schools with young people of all ages and abilities. She is currently studying for her NVQ Level 4 in British Sign Language.

Chetnya Panda

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