‘I love the rich diversity of the people we work with across Barking & Dagenham, and I am constantly amazed by the endless creativity and resilience of our community’.

Sam leads Green Shoes Arts and steers the company’s artistic and creative life. Get in touch with Sam if you’re interested in working with Green Shoes Arts, or if you have a project you’d like to discuss.

Sam has a background as a stage director, youth theatre director, and acting tutor, and has previously worked with Greenwich & Lewisham Young People’s Theatre, Identity School of Acting, Nuffield Southampton Theatres, and Lewisham Youth Theatre.

‘The arts have so much to offer.  It really has the power to unlock potential and create lasting change within people.  The process of creating is so valuable and worthwhile.’

Kirsty works across the programmes for both Children and Young People, and the Adult Programme.

Kirsty is an actor and singer who has performed across London and the UK.  She trained at the London School of Musical Theatre, and Middlesex University.  She works as a facilitator in educational and community settings.  She is also a Producer at the new Ruined Theatre.  She is an audition coach for children who are working professionally with her students appearing in The Lion King, School of Rock, Motown, Les Miserables and many more.

‘I’m passionate about using art as a tool to improve wellbeing and create connections within and between communities. I want art to reach out across boundaries and include people in the process!’

‘I love making spaces for our participants to play, learn and create!’

Robin leads several projects for Green Shoes Arts. Get in touch with Robin if you want to know more about Speak Up or See Hear Speak.

Robin is a performer, practitioner and theatre maker. He has performed from off-West End, to UK tours and internationally at the Gdańsk Shakespeare Festival, Venice Biennale and Kampala International Theatre Festival. He works as a practitioner with Graeae, Extant, ISTA and Invisible Flash, and a visiting lecturer at various drama schools & universities.

‘I am passionate about equality and inclusion and love to see people of all ages with different races, genders, cultures and religions get involved in the arts. I believe Green Shoes Arts is a supportive company which welcomes everyone.’

Verona leads the Youth Theatre, while supporting across all Green Shoes Arts projects. Get in touch with Verona if you would like to know more about our dynamic and exciting Youth Theatre programme.

Verona has a background of music and theatre. With a passion for performing, she studied music performance at The British Academy for New Music and has performed in off West End venues as part of a new writing theatre company.

‘What I love most about the arts is its ability to empower people. I’m passionate about bringing people together to improve community wellbeing and create long lasting change’

Lotte has a background in youth and community theatre. She studied locally at Barking & Dagenham College and has previously worked with Queens Theatre,  Arc Theatre’s ‘Raised Voices’ programme and led their adult community drama project as part of the Becontree Forever celebrations.