VICKI HAMBLEY

ARTISTIC AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Vicki studied Drama at The University of Guelph in Canada.

She has worked as a professional theatre director, workshop leader, drama teacher, production manager and stage manager in Canada, Japan, Italy and the UK.

She has worked as a freelancer in London since 2007 with a number of companies such as: Cardboard Citizens, Jacksons Lane, Sydenham Arts Festival, Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, Theatre Venture, Glyndebourne and Face Front Inclusive Theatre among others.

Claudia 4.jpg

Claudia Rebolledo Sánchez

STRATEGIC PROGRAMMES MANAGER

Claudia comes from Chile, South America. She moved to London in 2016 to complete an MA in Applied Theatre at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

While studying she joined Hackney Shed as a placement student. She has worked as a theatre producer, coordinator, project manager, drama teacher and lead facilitator, both in Chile and London. 

Since 2022, Claudia directs Boom-Wow Theatre, a performing arts company championing the talents of communities with learning disabilities and neurodivergent individuals.

Anna Clover

CREATIVE PARTICIPATION LEAD

Anna originally joined Hackney Shed as a volunteer in 2011.  She is an improviser, theatre maker and facilitator. Anna regularly works in schools using drama to explore topics with young people with SEND and/or social, emotional and mental health needs. She has worked as a travel trainer and delivering SEND awareness training for professionals.

As an improviser, Anna regularly performs at comedy nights with her team 'Rhinoceros'. She also works as a dramaturg and creates her own performances. Anna studied Film and Theatre at the University of Reading before completing an MA in Advanced Theatre Practice at Central School of Speech and Drama. 

 

JúLIA COUTO

PROJECT MANAGER & ADMINISTRATOR

Júlia moved to London in 2015 to complete an MA in Applied Theatre at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. During this time, she joined Hackney Shed as a placement student and never left. 

Júlia is a theatre facilitator and director, working regularly with young people and adults, exploring ways in which theatre can support education, mental health and self confidence. 

Besides Hackney Shed, she also works as a freelance practitioner with other organisations. She is an associate director at the Lewisham Youth Theatre, performing arts specialist with Artis Foundation and works with Outside Edge Theatre Company.

 

FACILITATION TEAM

 

Jack Hughes

Suzannah Hall

SARAH TEALE

 
 

Ozioma Ihesiene

Zoë Glen

Louise trigg

TOMIWA AKINTUNDE

BLESSING

MOJISAYO

 

LUCY FOSTER

CHAIR

Lucy studied History at Oxford before working as a theatre director and facilitator. As a director she created shows which toured the UK, including The Pirate Project and Epic. She was Associate Director and Participation Director with Improbable for many years, working on several of the company’s shows, including The Wolves In The Walls and Panic.

As a theatre facilitator, Lucy worked for organisations including Half Moon Theatre, London Bubble, National Youth Theatre, and The Unicorn.

She is now the Creative and Community Director at Grand Junction, a community and arts venue in west London.

Lucy is passionate about making the arts accessible for all and is privileged to take up the position of Chair of Hackney Shed.

Andrew ALDRICH

TREASURER

Andrew Aldrich is a founder member since 2006.

He has worked in a private accountancy practice and is currently a Financial Accountant for University of the Arts London. With his brother Christopher, he co-writes writes much of the music for Hackney Shed’s musical productions (previous scores have included Thumbelina, The Silver Sword, Twisted Tales and On We Go amongst others), and enjoys rehearsing and tailoring the music with the performers. 

Andrew has also been Musical Director to numerous amateur shows and pantomimes and is a pianist and backing vocalist in a function band. 

CHRIS ALDRICH

Christopher Aldrich is a founder member since 2006. 

During this time with Hackney Shed he has co-written many of the original scores for the musicals Hackney Shed has performed including Thumbelina, The Grinch, Twisted Tales and On We Go amongst others. 


Outside of Hackney Shed Christopher has musical directed several pantomimes (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Dick Whittington), and musicals (The Railway Children, Wizard of Oz, West Side Story, Camelot, Calamity Jane). He is also involved in a function band that performs around Essex when time allows! 

 

SARAH SCHOFIELD

TRUSTEE SAFEGUARDING LEAD & SECRETARY

Sarah qualified with a BA(ED) in Drama and English and taught in primary classrooms for 5 years before focusing her career on arts education.  She joined Hackney Shed as a volunteer facilitator in 2003.

In 2007 Sarah became Hackney Sheds administrator and played a key role in the running of the company and fundraising. 

Sarah is now the Head of Creative Learning at Little Angel Theatre. 

A highlight of her time with Hackney Shed in her early days there was playing Miss Hannigan in a production of Annie! 

amber ogunsanya-William

Amber is an Award-Winning Child care specialist, inclusive practitioner and a children’s theatre performer specialising in dance and entertainment across England.

Her dance styles include: Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Waltz &

Ballet (with grading from the Royal Academy of Dance in classical Ballet). Wagamama ambassador, Choreographer and energiser, Amber is also a playworker with a first class honours degree from Chickenshed Theatre in Inclusive Performance. Professional Porta Bandeira for Carnivals across England for over 17 years!  Amber is a cast member in Day 1 Big school which is an outreach show that tours to different schools.

Pamela Shaw

Pamela has worked for over 15 years in the voluntary sector including service delivery charities, research, practice development, policy and youth engagement. She is passionate about organisations with strong social values that make a real difference to the outcomes for children and young people.

Pamela came to the children’s voluntary sector from an academic research background, through training as a volunteer counsellor at Childline and since then has dedicated her career to children’s and mental health charities. She has worked for over 12 years delivering programmes and projects in Special Educational Needs, Lived Experience and children's mental health and emotional wellbeing. She has been committed throughout her career to working in partnership with young people and families to understand the best solutions to the issues that affect them.

Out of work and Hackney Shed Pamela loves cooking, reading, walking and yoga and is currently working her way through a neuroscience podcast series!

What People Say About Hackney Shed

Testimonials

It's non competitive and encourages cooperation, collaboration and celebration of people's differing strengths.

Hackney Shed doesn't just support children and young people the benefits spill over to parents and carers too, especially around well being, knowing the 'shed' members are being well catered for.

“Hackney Shed provides a unique service to communities across Hackney which is financially accessible (unlike others). It's format is vital in respect of social cohesion and providing space for the development of young people in a way which is non judgemental and inclusive”

A really fun drama space where you could feel safe and comfortable expressing ideas. I've met so many cool people I wouldn't have without this.

Hackney Shed is a marvellous, shining example of genuine, meaningful inclusion.

“It is a rare and valuable opportunity to meet and make friends, socialise, develop his independence and feel rightly proud of himself”

“Hackney Shed is great and continues to wow - great for kids and parents.”

“Great energy. Inclusive for all. Creative teaching which allows children/young people opportunities to gain confidence”

"The best thing is that we have a proper theatre, with lights and costumes and musicians and everything, so when we do a show it feels like a real show, not just kids.”

"Hackney Shed enriches my child's life on so many levels. She is not only learning theatre skills, but so much more. She is learning about community and co-operation, and is gaining in confidence and self-worth."

"As a parent with a child with special needs I value the inclusivity over and above everything. This is from the point of view both of how good it is for him to feel included and valued but also from the point of view of my other two children who are able to see him and others with special needs being on an equal footing."

"We have been Hackney residents for nearly 20 years and have been very proud to find such an excellent opportunity for all children right on our doorstep."