Our Team

The Core Team

Ashley is the Artistic Director and founder of Dead Earnest and also works as a lecturer in Performance at Sheffield Hallam University. He is responsible for the strategic direction and ethos of the Company, but also enjoys writing scripts, directing shows and facilitating at events. The thing that inspires him about working at Dead Earnest is the opportunity to be creative whilst also ‘making a difference and his academic passions lie in reading a lot of books about using theatre to achieve behaviour change. Outside of his work life he is married with two young children and enjoys watching football, reading books, researching his family’s history and walking around the Yorkshire Sculpture Park with his family.

Charlie is a Drama Projects Manager for Dead Earnest. She trained in acting at Bretton Hall and since graduating she has worked as a performer and drama facilitator with Proper Job and Point Blank. She joined Dead Earnest in 2003 where she enjoys developing a wide variety of projects inspiring others to find excitement and understanding through the medium of drama. Her work involves writing and directing Forum theatre, leading Creative Partnerships projects in school, running training courses and using theatre to enhance well being, particularly within mental health services. Charlie also does some freelance work developing innovative creative programmes within schools across South Yorkshire. Charlie loves being a mum, swimming, trips to the theatre and is an avid reader.

Vic, originally a primary school teacher, is also a Drama Projects Manager for Dead Earnest. She now enjoys the many different aspects of her job, including writing and directing forum theatre, running creative projects in school and training adults from a range of backgrounds. Outside of Dead Earnest, she is a published author of children’s books, a Creative Agent for Cape UK’s Creative Partnerships Programme and, not least, mother of a 7 year old girl. This doesn’t leave much time for additional hobbies but she loves a decent glass of wine from time to time!

Stacey is Dead Earnest’s Drama Project Worker. Her role varies on a daily basis – She could be organising large scale events for young people across the city’s public spaces or running around a school hall dressed as a mermaid. Stacey loves the fact that her job is so diverse and that she never knows what tomorrow might bring. Aside from her time at Dead Earnest, Stacey also works as a professional actress across both television and theatre. She loves to read books, watch films, attempt ambitious recipes and scour charity shops for fantastical additions to her wardrobe.

Greg is the Operations Manager for Dead Earnest. Having spent 25 years in central and local government he took a flying leap of faith and joined the company in 2008. His managerial experience and love of theatre combine to help him with his wide range of operational responsibilities. Having a teenage daughter means he spends most of his spare time delivering a free taxi service, but manages a spot of gardening and dog walking every now and then.

Agnes is Dead Earnest’s part-time Administrator and full-time mother of 2 young children. Born and raised in Poland, she moved to the UK when her partner started a PhD at the University of Sheffield. She enjoys swimming, baking bread and reading about modern Russia.


Associate Artists

Debbie is an actress and film-maker and has worked for Dead Earnest with 3 Creative Partnership change school projects. She has also facilitated and acted in countless Dead Earnest forum theatre events.

Carl is a set designer, prop-maker and facilitator who has been involved in numerous Dead Earnest school projects and forum theatre and consultation events.

Rachel is a highly experienced drama facilitator who has worked for Dead Earnest on Creative Partnership projects and a variety of other drama ventures.

Kate is an actress and facilitator who has a special interest in disability arts. Malika is a facilitator and project co-ordinator who has worked extensively for Dead Earnest to help deliver the Creative Sparks events.


Artistic Pool

Dead Earnest also have a committed team of over 50 highly talented actors and facilitators who we work with on a regular basis.