Facilitators
Paige Stevens (she/her)
Theatre producer, director, facilitator, and maker
Paige is a Bristol-based theatre director, facilitator, and maker with a passion for devised and co-created theatre. She graduated from the University of Sussex with a BA in English and Drama in 2020 and was part of Bristol Old Vic’s Made In Bristol 2022 cohort. She was Young Company Trainee Director at Bristol Old Vic 2025-26 and has led workshops for participants of all ages and experience levels across the South West, including projects supporting children with speech, language, and communication needs. Paige’s practice is rooted in collaboration, curiosity, and inclusivity, creating joyful and empowering spaces for participants to explore and tell their own stories.
Laurie Nelson
Director, theatre-maker & facilitator
Laurie trained as an actor in London, at Richmond Drama School and East 15 Acting School, followed by the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. He began directing in 2017 in his home town of Sheffield with various local fringe companies, before moving to Bristol in 2022. He has worked as a facilitator and teacher for organisations including Bristol Old Vic and Theatre Royal Bath. Laurie is passionate about nurturing young talent, encouraging creativity and building skills that can help as much in Iife as on the stage. He completed an MA in Directing at Bath Spa University in 2025 and has recently founded Empty Space Theatre Company with his wife and producing partner Lizzie.
Ella Wilks
Theatre maker and facilitator
I'm Ella, I am a theatre maker and facilitator. I love ensemble and movement-based work. I have studied theatre and recently done the Made In Bristol Course at Old Vic. I am looking forward to this term of Young Company!
Chloë Thurlow
Performer, facilitator, musician and theatre maker
Chloe is a Bristolian performer and faciliatator with a background in music and comedy. She has a passion for devised theatre and ensemble work, and creating music and sound using only the voice. She's a previous MIB graduate, and has performed in places including The National Theatre, Chatsworth House, and Chelsea Arts Festival.
Georgia Casimir
Playwright, director and facilitator
Georgia Casimir is a playwright, director and facilitator. She graduated from University of Bristol’s Theatre and English BA in 2022 and went on to join Bristol Old Vic’s Made in Bristol scheme (2022/3). She recently held the position of Trainee Creative with The Egg and forms one half of Hagseed Theatre. Collaboration and story-telling are central to her practice and she enjoys working with themes of queerness, magic and comedy.
Jess May-Cox
(She/her)
Theatre maker, performer, and facilitator
Jess is a theatre maker, performer and facilitator from the Southwest. Jess was part of Bristol Old Vic’s Made in Bristol programme (2023/24), and most recently has worked internationally with Trinacria Theatre Company. She loves to work on site specific projects, and use music and song to bring stories to life.
Krista Matthews
Writer, director and dramaturg
Krista was part of Bristol Old Vic’s Made In Bristol scheme (2016/2017) and is a graduate of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where she studied Drama, Applied Theatre and Writing for performance. Krista’s practice focusses on collaboration, often with young people, and creating work which is firmly rooted in challenging what theatre or performance can be. Krista has also recently began facilitating workshops in a secure children’s home, using theatre skills as a tool for self-advocacy.
Frazer Meakin
Director, movement director and facilitator working across theatre and film
Frazer is a graduate of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s MA in Drama Directing. He is passionate about bold, ambitious and innovative storytelling and has experience working across a wide range of styles and forms: from devising physical theatre to Shakespeare, musical theatre to stand-up comedy.
Collaboration and ensemble are at the heart of his practice. He loves facilitating and using the arts as a catalyst for imagination and importantly giving a voice to all; encouraging ‘yes’ in a world of ‘no’.
Xahnaa Adlam
Theatre maker, facilitator and performer
Xahnaa attended the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama on the BA Drama, Applied Theatre and Education course.
Within her practice, Xahnaa uses the theatre to assist the people, not the people to assist the theatre. She creates environments where the creative energy and direction is participant driven. Xahnaa is there to shape the space and anchor the work. It is the participants, through their growth, exploration and collaboration who will fill it in.
She is a recipient of the Henry Forse Award for outstanding commitment to the Bristol Old Vic Engagement department.
Harry Gould
Director and theatre maker
Harry graduated from Bristol Old Vic’s Made in Bristol scheme in 2020 and then went on to study an MA in Directing at LAMDA.
He is interested in new stories about and for young people with a particular focus on the mental health of young people and the role theatre can play in tackling related issues exacerbated by modern living and the pandemic. Harry’s practice always aims to create a sense of community, and to empower artists and audiences, to use their imagination and be challenged to empathize.
