Iris : Staff & Associates

	Founder
		Daniel Winder - Artistic Director Dan founded Iris Theatre at St. Paul's in 2007 to initially produce Murder in the Cathedral. Dan’s varied training includes both Theoretical Physics and Acting. Since graduating from Drama Centre in 2006 he has dedicated much of his time to building this company. He has worked professionally in Austria both for the Shakespeare in Styria festival and the Vienna English Theatre as a Director and Writer. His latest freelance job beyond Iris Theatre was working for The Castle Wellingborough on their 2012 Christmas show Sleeping Beauty. Email: info@iristheatre.com

	Management Team
		Nick J Field - Executive Producer Nick had a successful career in business and management prior to training at East 15 Acting School. As an actor he has toured theatres in Scotland and England, as well as appearing on BBC Television. Nick also helped to found Red Table Theatre which pioneered the use of Open Book management for profit share fringe productions. Nick joined Iris Theatre at the beginning of 2012 as part of our Young Producer's Programme and has now moved on to be a full time member of staff. Email: production@iristheatre.com

		Simon Kent - Producer: Fundraising & Development Simon trained at ALRA graduating from the 3 year BA ( Hons) Acting Course in 2010. Simon has performed with Iris Theatre in a number of projects including Romeo and Juliet, Wind in the Willows (2010) and Workin Process 1 (2011). As a Producer Simon is delighted to be continuing the implementation of our Fundraising and Development plan. Simon joined the company at the beginning of 2012 as part of our Young Producer's Programme and has continued to work for the company beyond his placement. Email: fundraising@iristheatre.com

		Laura Wickham - Producer: Workin Process - Musical Theatre Laura Wickham has been a part of the Iris team since 2009, playing Juliet in Romeo & Juliet both in 2009 and 2010, Mole in Wind in the Willows in 2010, The Dreamer in Circuit-Episode 1 and Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2011. Laura trained at Central School of Speech and Drama as an actor. As a producer Laura works with Iris Theatre on their Workin Process new musical writing evenings. To contact her regarding our new work showcases email her at the link below. Email: workinprocess@iristheatre.com

		Rosie Bannister - Company Clerk Rosie has recently finishes at UCL studying chemistry and maths, but has a passion for theatre. Having worked in Stage Management on their productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Die Fledermaus, and As You Like It she now in the main company clerk handling the day to day financial bookeeping of the company along side working on shows. Email: clerk@iristheatre.com

	Iris Theatre runs an annual Young Producer's Scheme to support emerging theatre producers and their career development.

	Associate Artists
		Benjamin Polya - Lighting Designer For Iris Theatre: A Midsummer Night's Dream; Circuit; Dido & Aeneas; Wind in the Willows; L'Enfant et les Sortileges / O'Saci; Romeo & Juliet; Alcestis; Our Ellen; The Nativity; Murder in the Catherdral. Recent work includes: The One That Hurt The Most / Doll / Goodbye My Love (Southwark Playhouse); After Juliet (Westwood Theatre); Freedom Showcase (Phoenix Arts Theatre); The Mushroom Pickers (Southwark Playhouse); Crocodile seeking Refuge (Lyric Hammersmith Studio); Finally the Girl (Red Lion); Cancer Time (Theatre 503); Theatre Café (Arcola Theatre); Northern Lights (Soho Theatre). Assistant work includes: Frost Nixon (Associate Video Design, Donmar Warehouse); Ha’penny Bridge (Cork Opera House/ The Point, Dublin); A Soldiers Tale (Linbury Studio); Anything Goes (National Theatre/ Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Coast of Utopia (National Theatre); My Fair Lady (Theatre Royal Drury Lane); South Pacific (National theatre).

		Ben Crystal - Actor & Shakespeare Populist Ben Crystal - Actor Has performed in three Iris Theatre or Daniel Winder-directed productions to date. As Edgar in King Lear (2010) with the Shakespeare in Styria Festival, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream (2011), and the Narrator in Workin Process 2 - Modern Dramatic Verse (2011). He also runs the www.passioninpractice.com Shakespeare workshop programme with Iris Theatre's Artistic Director Daniel Winder. He has played Hamlet in the contemporary world premiere of the play in Original Pronunciation in November 2011 with the Nevada Repertory Company, and has curated a CD of Shakespeare in OP for the British Library (available March 2012).

		Elissavet Aravidou - Movement Director Elissa trained in Greece in Apparatus Gymnastics before coming to London for a year in 2006 to train at Circus Space. She has acted and directed in several professional shows in Greece and twice been the movement director in Austria for the Shakespeare in Styria project. Elissa moved to London to further her career in physical theatre. She is one of Iris Theatre resident movement expert and an important part of the Circuit creative team.

		Sarah Booth - Theatre Designer Sarah graduated with a degree in Drama from the University of Exeter in 2008. She became involved with Iris theatre as the Designer for Les Enfant's et les Sortileges in summer 2009 and was also the main Theatre Designer for Wind in the Willows for summer 2010. She has worked on Carnival, Fringe theatre and in Drama education.
		Louis Reid - Web Developer Louis is currently studying towards an undergraduate degree in Mathematics. He joined the Iris Theatre team part time in 2012. He has been working in freelance web design for the past 7 years.

		Matthew Mellalieu - Actor Born and raised in a North-Yorkshire fishing village Matthew trained at Drama Centre London. Credits at Drama Centre include Polixenes in ‘A Winter’s Tale’, Le Grange in ‘Moliere’, Derby in ‘Richard III’, and Gaston in ‘A Solemn Mass for a Full Moon in Summer’. Since graduating he has numerous credits in Film, TV and Theatre. He has performed in Iris Theatre shows since 2007; playing God in The Nativity; Heracles in Alcestis; and Capulet & Friar Laurence in Romeo & Juliet; Badger in The Wind in the Willows. And Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

		Kathryn Martin - Actor Has performed in two Iris Theatre productions to date. Romeo & Juliet in 2009 and The Nativity in 2007. As an actress Kathryn has been lucky to work with many companies and directors from the West End to Fringe. In 2010 she played the leading lady for the West End's production of The Mousetrap touring to Shanghai. She is currently touring with Sister Act - The Musical.

		David Baynes - Actor Has performed in four Iris Theatre productions to date. He played Abraham in Romeo & Juliet; Chief Weasel in Wind in the Willows, and in Dido & Aeneas; all in 2010. In 2011 he performed Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream. David Baynes is currently based in New York and has his own theatre company running actor's workshops, The Changelings.

		Emily Tucker - Actor Emily Tucker has worked with Iris Theatre since 2010, playing Ishtar in Dido & Aeneas, Verses in Once Upon a Time in London Shitty (Workin Process 2), and most recently Hippolyta/Mustardseed in A Midsummer Nights Dream. Emily trained at Drama Centre, London where credits include Susanne in Figaro Gets Divorced, Hero in Much Ado About Nothing, Marry Warren in The Crucible, and Kleopatra in Too Clever By Half. Since graduating she has numerous credits in film and theatre, including Miranda in Shiver (The Tempest) at The National Theatre Studio with Theatre6 and Nina in feature film The Seasoning House directed by Paul Hyett.

		Ben Palmer - Conductor (OSP) In August 2009 Ben acted as Musical Director for Iris Theatre's production of The Children's Opera, bringing together two of his groups, The Syred Consort and the Orchestra of St Paul's, to accompany the Iris actors. Opportunities to present operas are few and far between, and this innovative production was the first time his musicians had had the chance to work alongside a theatre company such as Iris. In Sept 2010 Ben and the OSP collaborated once more in a production of Dido & Aeneas by Henry Purcell. And in Aug 2011 the two companies collaborated again on a production of Die Fledermaus.

		Candida Caldicot - Composer Candida is a composer and musical director who has worked across a range of theatre project from West End musicals to straight plays. She has been musical director and composer on five of Iris Theatre's productions, Alcestis, The Mysteries, The Wind in the Willows, Romeo & Juliet, &; and also acts as musical consultant on an ongoing basis to the Artistic Director.

	Board of Trustees
		Rev. Simon Grigg - Chairman The Rev. Simon Grigg has been the rector at St Paul's Church Covent Garden since 2006. He was ordained in 1990 having worked as a professional actor as a child and directed in later life. He has many years of experience in both the theatre and charitable sectors, having served on many different charitable boards.

		Charles Grant - Trustee (Venue) Charles Grant has been the administrator of the Actors Church, St Paul's Covent Garden since 2005. In over twenty years experience in the acting business Charles has appeared in many theatre, radio, film and TV productions and can still be occassionally found treading the boards; particularly as part of the lecture-recital programme 'Chopin's visit to Britain' with famous pianist Rose Cholmondeley.

		Yvonne I'Anson - Trustee (& Press & Marketing Mentor) Yvonne I’Anson is an experienced theatre publicist and marketeer. Her long and varied career includes: Publicist at York Theatre Royal; Publicity Officer at the Swan Theatre Worcester; Assistant and Acting General Manager at Watford Palace Theatre and Marketing Manager at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage. She worked as a Junior Agent for seven years with Peter Browne Management. She was a freelance Publicist/Marketing consultant for 8 years, and although she specialised in pantomime she worked on a variety of other projects including national tours, variety shows and personal publicity for various artists. She was Marketing Manager at the New End Theatre in Hampstead and Head of Marketing for a leading drama school for thirteen years before taking up her current position as General Manager of Associated Studios. Associated Studios specialise in quality professional development for actors, musical theatre and opera singers, something which Yvonne is very passionate about. Yvonne regularly contributed articles to Drama Student Magazine including the very popular ‘Just Ask Yvonne’ Advice Column and also writes for other publications. She also runs an Actors Advice Surgery. Yvonne is very proud to be involved with Iris Theatre. Yvonne mentors the press & marketing work of Iris Theatre.

		Andrew Makin - Trustee (Financial Director) Andrew graduated in Politics and Economics from the University of Leeds in 2004. After graduating he qualified as an accountant and works with public sector bodies to ensure sound financial management. He is delighted to be part of Iris Theatre.

		Andy Charles - Trustee Andy trained as an actor at the Central School of Speech and Drama and enjoyed a varied career in film, television and theatre. Favourite theatre roles played include Eisenring in ‘The Fireraisers’ (Teatro della Contraddizione, Milan), John Smith in ‘Run For Your Wife 2’ (Vaudeville Theatre, London) and Millin in the Western premiere of Shostakovich’s ‘Cheryomushki’ (Pimlico Opera at the Lyric Hammersmith). On screen credits include the feature ‘Being Julia’ and the regular character Steve Latham in ‘Gimme 6’ for ITV. Andy is now a theatrical agent and guest lecturer/advisor to many of the UK’s leading drama schools and conservatoires.


	Honorary Life Members
		Colin & Wendy Thompson Wendy and Colin ran the bar for Iris Theatre Productions for five years. Alongside this initial role they also got involved with the management side and were active members of the Fundraising Committee. Having moved away from London they are no longer day to day members of the team but they are integral members of the Iris Theatre family.

	Associate Organisations
		Actors Church, St Paul's Covent Garden The home of Iris Theatre Company, St Paul's offers both practical and insitutional support to Iris as its resident theatre company. From office space to performance space St Paul's provides a home and a jumping off point for all our work.
		The Space Between This recently formed experimental theatre company is based in Cardiff, Wales. It was founded by Lisa Turner, a performer and producer on Iris Theatre's first production, T.S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral. Iris Theatre's Artistic Director Daniel Winder is acting as an official mentor to Lisa Turner as she forms her new company.
		Holly Noble Dance Holly Noble has been involved in choreographing movement for Iris projects including A Midsummer Nights Dream, Dido & Aeneas, and Circuit. Her company as a whole has collaborated on the dance and circus piece Circuit, with six of company dancers appearing as balletbots in this futurescape physical theatre piece.
		Orchestra of St Pauls The resident orchestra of St Paul's Church in Covent Garden, the OSP has collaborated with Iris Theatre on three large scale opera productions of Ravel's Les Enfant et les Sortilieges, Purcell's Dido & Aeneas and Strauss' Die Fledermaus.