OUR TEAM
Keziah Berelson
Co-Artistic Director
Keziah Berelson is Mafwa Theatre's co-Artistic Director. She loves working with communities and artists to bridge divides and create impactful and challenging work that speaks truth to power. She created The Art House Wakefield's public facing Studio of Sanctuary programme and works with Leeds Art Gallery as a critical friend on engagement projects. As a French and Arabic speaker she loves to bring communities together over her other passion: cooking, for conversations across languages and tastes.
Tamsin Cook
Co-Artistic Director
Tamsin has been working as a theatre practitioner since 2012. She has project managed and directed site specific theatre commissions for festivals. Tamsin has designed, delivered and evaluated community theatre projects for young people, prisoners and homeless men. Alongside running Mafwa Theatre, she was Community Director (Prisons) for Imagine If Theatre, managing staff, large budgets and criminal justice sector partnerships.
Rosie Clark
General Manager
Rosie is a Producer, Access Producer & Consultant from Leeds. Her work spans across producing, project management, consultancy, fundraising, access support, finance, creative strategy and advocating for artist-led projects. She has over 15 years of producing experience, specialising in both project and executive producing. She specialises in new work and touring theatre. Rosie's past experience has involved working with 1927, Cast, Theatre Delicatessen, The Paper Birds, The Young Vic, Cheek by Jowl, Headlong and The Grief Series.
Rosie is passionate about supporting artists, she is a registered Arts Council access support worker and Project Development Coach. Her aim is to support more artists to project plan and create exciting and achievable artistic work.
Bei Gao
Project Manager
Bei is an active Community Leader with over 7 years of experience within local charities working with new arrivals and settled communities, and over 10 years within the legal sector. She works with adults and children from diverse backgrounds, and regularly organizes cultural events and projects. She loves artistic performances and leads activities within Mafwa and in the wider community. Bei engages with people through art, language, and culture to promote togetherness.
Bei received her Master's Degree from the University of Bristol, and is a Level 2 Community Interpreter.
Molly McGee
Marketing and Communications Officer
Molly has experience in theatre and cultural event coordination, collaborating with arts organisations that amplify refugee stories and helping to bring performances and community-led initiatives to life. As Marketing and Communications Officer, she enjoys combining photography, graphic design, and storytelling to craft engaging, playful content. She holds a Film and Television degree from the University of Nottingham and a Diploma in Events Management. She’s interested in cultural theory, film exhibition, and how digital platforms connect audiences with the creative process.
Beth Howson
Lincoln Greeners Support Worker
Beth is a community gardener, food grower, and group facilitator from Bradford. She has been involved in community food growing for over 10 years - running volunteer sessions and wellbeing gardening programmes, managing food production for a cafe, and running a veg box scheme. She likes getting to know people over a patch of weeding, and her favourite thing to grow is squash.
VALUED SUPPORTERS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
Sumera Bhatti
“As a board member of Mafwa Theatre I believe I have been given the opportunity to share my ideas and thoughts. It is a great privilege for me to learn, observe and experience the role of Board of Trustees. It’s a great platform for those women who were not vocal…they have gained the confidence to speak and share their ideas.”
Anne Collins
Anne Collins is a performer, writer and all-round creative person based in Leeds. She has been a Mafwa Theatre member since 2018 and became a Mafwa Theatre Associate Artist in 2021, embarking on a year-long programme with the company to develop her artistic skills and career path. Anne is a keen singer and member of Harmony Choir, Asmarina Voices and Holbeck Choir. She regularly performs with and represents Mafwa Theatre at events, has previously performed at the Leeds Transform Festival and is a campaigner with Lift the Ban. She volunteers for Refugee Council and Women's Health Matters.
Deborah Pakkar-Hull
Deborah is a freelance theatre-maker specialising in making work for/with children and young people. She has devised and directed over 25 shows, touring to schools, heritage, community and theatre settings, collaborating with a range of organisations, artists and audiences both in the UK and internationally. Deborah has previously held Artistic Director roles at The Play House, a respected theatre-in-education company in Birmingham; the York Mystery Plays, an outdoor community theatre event; and Leeds-based Theatre Company Blah Blah Blah, a longstanding children's theatre company. She combines her theatre-making with drama education consultancy work for primary schools and university lecturing on applied theatre practice.
Anthony Haddon
Anthony Haddon is a performer, writer and director specialising in work for children and young people. Founder and Artistic Director of Theatre Company Blah Bah Blah from 1985 to 2014, Anthony has continued creating new work for young audiences in the UK and with the Theaterhaus Ensemble in Frankfurt, Germany. He has recently set up kissküss, a partnership with theatre designer and visual artist, Nanette Zimmerman to create accessible theatre for the very young and the not so old.
MENTORS:
Tim Wheeler
Deborah Dickinson
“Working with Mafwa, I remember what it’s like to set off on a journey; the barriers, the obstacles and challenges. I remember the friends, experiences and skills developed on the way. Above all, I experience the joy of being in the company of others.”
Tim Wheeler
Mafwa Theatre is an equal opportunities employer.
