MEET THE TEAM
LAStheatre is run by Barra Collins (Artistic Director) & Liz Bate (Executive Producer)
LIZ BATE
Executive Producer
Following her MA in Applied Theatre at Goldsmiths, Liz worked with the Old Vic as their Education Manager and the National Theatre in their Learning department.
Liz enjoys all kinds of theatre, but has a particular interest in theatre for younger audiences and those that include community groups and young people. This is reflected in the work she does with LAStheatre, working with young people to include their voice in our productions.
Alongside her work for LAStheatre, Liz has taken on producer roles for 1927, the Donmar Warehouse and A New Direction.
Email: liz@LAStheatre.com
Liz enjoys all kinds of theatre, but has a particular interest in theatre for younger audiences and those that include community groups and young people. This is reflected in the work she does with LAStheatre, working with young people to include their voice in our productions.
Alongside her work for LAStheatre, Liz has taken on producer roles for 1927, the Donmar Warehouse and A New Direction.
Email: liz@LAStheatre.com
BARRA COLLINS
Artistic Director
Barra is a writer, director and founder of LAStheatre. He studied at Goldsmiths and Trinity College Dublin. His work has been performed at theatres including the Marlowe, Theatre Royal Bath, Chichester Festival Theatre and Theatr Clwyd.
Whether creating theatrical experiences about human rights with world-leading scientists (Deadinburgh); tri-lingual digital adventures (The Curious Case of Aberlliw); engaging young people with the importance of nutrition through a surreal encounter with a horrifying cake (The Rascally Diner); or crafting adaptations of award-winning books (The Littlest Yak and The Girl of Ink and Stars), Barra’s work combines theatrical innovation, community engagement and the power of play to create lasting experiences for audiences of all ages.
Email: barra@LAStheatre.com
Whether creating theatrical experiences about human rights with world-leading scientists (Deadinburgh); tri-lingual digital adventures (The Curious Case of Aberlliw); engaging young people with the importance of nutrition through a surreal encounter with a horrifying cake (The Rascally Diner); or crafting adaptations of award-winning books (The Littlest Yak and The Girl of Ink and Stars), Barra’s work combines theatrical innovation, community engagement and the power of play to create lasting experiences for audiences of all ages.
Email: barra@LAStheatre.com
Associates
ALISON ALEXANDER
Designer
After studying Design for Performance at Wimbledon School of Art, Alison completed a year-long puppetry apprenticeship at Little Angel Theatre under the mentorship of Lyndie Wright - an experience that continues to shape her approach to craftsmanship, inventive storytelling and playful design.
Her work spans puppet design and fabrication, set and costume design, and puppetry direction for theatre and film. Alison particularly enjoys collaborative research and development processes, using live prototyping and hands-on experimentation in the rehearsal room to help productions discover their visual language.
Alongside her work with LAStheatre, Alison has designed and made puppets for companies and organisations including Little Angel Theatre, Jacksons Lane, English Touring Opera, Puppets with Guts, Orange Tree Theatre, Goblin Theatre, Kneehigh, Polka Theatre and Royal & Derngate.
Her work spans puppet design and fabrication, set and costume design, and puppetry direction for theatre and film. Alison particularly enjoys collaborative research and development processes, using live prototyping and hands-on experimentation in the rehearsal room to help productions discover their visual language.
Alongside her work with LAStheatre, Alison has designed and made puppets for companies and organisations including Little Angel Theatre, Jacksons Lane, English Touring Opera, Puppets with Guts, Orange Tree Theatre, Goblin Theatre, Kneehigh, Polka Theatre and Royal & Derngate.
JOSEPH HARDY
Composer
Joseph is a composer, musician and theatre-maker. He trained at Drama Studio London and the St. Petersburg Theatre Arts Academy. Joseph composed the original music for our productions of The Littlest Yak, The Lion Inside, The Rascally Diner and A Christmas Carol. Other composition work includes: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Vienna’s English Theatre) & The Cherry Orchard (Bristol Old Vic & Royal Exchange).
As an actor his credits include: Cabaret (West End); The Cherry Orchard (Bristol Old Vic & Royal Exchange); Uncle Vanya (HOME); The Boy and the Mermaid, Once Upon a Snowflake (Paper Balloon); Pinocchio (Stephen Joseph); Dreamboats And Miniskirts (UK Tour); and The Hypochondriac (Theatre Royal Bath).
As an actor his credits include: Cabaret (West End); The Cherry Orchard (Bristol Old Vic & Royal Exchange); Uncle Vanya (HOME); The Boy and the Mermaid, Once Upon a Snowflake (Paper Balloon); Pinocchio (Stephen Joseph); Dreamboats And Miniskirts (UK Tour); and The Hypochondriac (Theatre Royal Bath).
SEAN TURNER
Designer
Sean trained at Motley in 2006, after studying illustration at Kent Institute of Art and Design.
Following an early career relationship with Punchdrunk, Sean has gone on to specialise in site specific and immersive theatrical events. He is currently designing several projects for international production company Done+Dusted, and also developing and designing work with Secret Cinema.
Alongside his work with LAStheatre., Sean developed and designed work for Secret Cinema, D&DX, Live Nation, MAMA festivals, Les Enfents Terribles, Ikea, Mother UK, Punchdrunk, The Old Vic, The Young Vic, Opera Holland Park, The BBC, Barbican, Avalon UK, The Point Esatleigh, Oval (Brixton) House and Wild Rumpus.
Following an early career relationship with Punchdrunk, Sean has gone on to specialise in site specific and immersive theatrical events. He is currently designing several projects for international production company Done+Dusted, and also developing and designing work with Secret Cinema.
Alongside his work with LAStheatre., Sean developed and designed work for Secret Cinema, D&DX, Live Nation, MAMA festivals, Les Enfents Terribles, Ikea, Mother UK, Punchdrunk, The Old Vic, The Young Vic, Opera Holland Park, The BBC, Barbican, Avalon UK, The Point Esatleigh, Oval (Brixton) House and Wild Rumpus.
