People and Partners
Face Front benefits from the dedication of a wide range of people, from our small core team to many associates and partner organisations.
OUR PATRONS
Josette Bushell-Mingo
“Face Front is a small company delivering an overwhelming amount of high quality projects and the larger organisations should take note as this is a truly dynamic organisation.
At the heart of the company are the participants who drive Face Front’s artistic content.
Their work continues to be invaluable to the infrastructure of British cultural life with a high artistic reach and deepening analysis of inclusive theatre and its ramifications.
I am truly honoured to be a Patron.”
Mat Fraser
"Face Front liberates the voice of young people and enables them to make the best choices for themselves.
The company continues to create an environment for disabled, vulnerable and other disadvantaged young people and adults, through their inclusive touring theatre and participation programmes.
The inclusive work the company delivers encourages high-quality projects and enables the participants to take control of their lives, be engaged, be inspired and builds confidence so that they experience a better quality of life.
Face Front goes from strength to strength and is an important company for the arts and the people it serves.”
CORE TEAM
Ray Downing
Artistic Director
I am a freelance theatre practitioner specialising in youth and community-led theatre.
I write, direct, produce and facilitate new writing, ensemble theatre and art for social change.
In recent years, the majority of my work has been with Face Front Inclusive Theatre, Stratford Circus and the Ramira Arts Collective.
More recently, I have become a fundraiser for emerging artists and disability-led companies.
In whatever project I’m involved with, I always start the process by saying ‘A play is called play because you play, so let us play.’
‘Face Front is brilliant because of its methodology by with and for our beneficiaries – for example our work is by young people with young people, for young people. So we are not dictating, or patronising we are all encompassing. We provide an escape, an opportunity to reflect and inspire, to challenge, to provide wonder – a sense of community – community arts through and through and a connection with people.’
Ray Artistic Director
Tracey Viechweg
General Manager
Tracey joined the Face Front Team in 2004 as the Administrator and became General Manager in 2010 having previously worked within the legal field during her early career.
She is responsible for audience development, school liaison, contracts/agreements, press/marketing and tour bookings as well as the efficient running and development of Face Front Theatre.
On a day-to-day basis, Tracey oversees the varied programmes delivered by Face Front - pioneering diversity and inclusion through theatre.
Tracey has also worked for various Arts organisations, enjoying success with many cultural events, festivals and, in particular, bespoke Exhibitions at the V&A, the world’s leading museum of art and design.
‘Face Front makes a difference in everything we do around inclusion and diversity. We continue to aspire to inspire the people we work with. The soft skills of confidence and self esteem are so important and we do that very well. Our research is always spot on, every project that we do is thoroughly researched by people who are passionate about the subject and about being here. The schools tours that we do, give young people an introduction to live theatre and it creates a feeling that ‘we can do this’ and that’s very important. We use actors that are reflective of the whole ethos of the company and with the board as well. And we do raise awareness and it’s thought provoking and that’s what helps the message get through and people remember what they’ve seen and what they’ve learnt and the message comes across.’
Tracey General Manager)
Jon French
Executive Director
Jon French is a founding member of Face Front and Executive Director.
He is an accomplished actor, dancer and director.
Before Face Front, he was a founding member of CandoCo where he performed and taught both in the UK and worldwide.
At Face Front he is the director of Broken Silence (Sandwich Man – The Musical, Our Island, Zap).
He has performed in numerous productions including (Princess of The Graveyard Palace, Counting the Ways, Opening The Can).
Jon leads the on the finances of the company.
‘Face Front give opportunities to people who would not get that opportunity else where and we maintain the high standard of work, starting with the research and then throughout our participation and professional programmes.’
Jon Executive Director and Broken Silence Director
ASSOCIATE COMPANIES
Immediate Theatre
We work with young people and communities in Hackney and East London to ensure access for all to arts activities that break down barriers and engage people in debate.
Vital Xposure
Vital Xposure is a bold, dynamic production company operating under the creative leadership of disabled artist Julie McNamara.
Stratford Circus
Stratford Circus brings accessible, world-class performances and creative learning to the doorsteps of people and communities in Newham and East London.
Komola Collective
Komola are a London-based theatre and arts company dedicated to telling the stories that often go untold - stories from women's perspectives.
Blink Dance Theatre
BLINK are a diverse group of four emerging artists who create, perform and facilitate together.
ASSOCIATE VENUES
ASSOCIATE ARTISTS
Annie Smol MBE
Annie has worked in inclusive theatre as an actor, director, workshop facilitator and project manager over a career spanning 30 years. Companies she has worked for include; GLYPT, Half Moon, London Bubble, Chats Palace, Graeae, Royal Court, Art Start, Watford Palace and, for the last 15 years, she has been the Artistic and then Associate Director of Face Front Inclusive Theatre.
Kat Gill
Kat is a theatre-maker and practitioner, specializing in inclusive practice. She is a Co-Director of Blink Dance Theatre and last year devised and performed in the company’s debut production FOUR CORNERS. She has an MA in Applied Theatre from Goldsmiths and regularly works with the Royal Court, Young Vic, Face Front Inclusive Theatre and Oval House Theatre.
Francesca Marie Claire
Francesca is an Actor, Writer, Director and Workshop Facilitator. She works with Little Fish Theatre, Tender and Growing Against Violence. She is the co-writer and director of "Sex FM" for Face Front. Francesca is also a producer at Masked Pony Productions, a female focussed production company producing online comedy content for women.
Leesa Gazi
TRUSTEES
Andrew Bradford
Chair
Ayo Oyebade
Sheila Barry
Jacquelyn Shreeves
Roger Cowe
Alan Spence
Geoff Folkes
Meseret Zekai
Anne McGilchrist
Judy Hepburn
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Andrew Bradford, Luke Ricketts, Hatice Ivecen, Jon French, Rebecca Seabrook, Joanna McCarthy, Mo Cross, Anthony Kralik, Peter Faventi, Anne McGilchrist, Pat West, Danny Charalambous, Rima Chowdhury, Patrick McCarthy, Will Smith, Meseret Zekai, Barry Churchill, Jacquelyn Shreeves, Jackie Kohnstamm, Shade Oladiti, Julie Parker, Sally Ricketts, Jane Hermans.
OUR FREELANCE AND PROJECT STAFF
Julie McNamara, Shirley Mason, Darren Carr, Francessca Newham, Rachel Denning, Leon Wander, Pete Faventi, Ellen Goodey, Jo Melville, Jai Vethamony, Karl Brown, Greg Williams, Jo Bakhurst, Vicki Hambley, Nigel Kellaway, Joe Conteh, Leesa Gazi, Danny Charalambous, Angie Wallis, Laura Davitt, Katherine Gill, Delson Weekes, Francis Majekodunmi, Warren Adams, Flo Hazard, Emma Bakare, Frena Kidane, Matthew Haigh, Sarah Akokhia, Emma Ghafur, Androullah Constantinou, Yomi Sode, Shade Oladiti, Amanda Mascarenhas, Rima Chowdhury, Luke Ricketts, Mandy Colleran, Milton Lopes, Rebecca Tortora, Jamilah Yakabu, Aldean Blair, Declan Leslie
INTERPRETERS, SUPPORT WORKERS & MENTORS
Trish Smith, Greg Williams, Danny Charalambous, Darren Carr, Sarah Akokhia, Matt Haigh, Jamilah Yakabu, Alex Covell, Catrin Thomas, Ned Smith, Shelly Davis.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Robert Workman, Andrew Bradford, Nigel Kellaway, Annie Smol
PARTNER ORGANISATIONS
We benefit from co-operation with many organisations, including:
Local authorities: Barnet, Brent, Camden, Bracknell Forest, Enfield, Haringey.
Disability organisations: Council of Disabled Children, Enfield Disability Action, Enfield Joint Services for Disabled Children and Young People, Park Avenue Disability Resource Centre, One to One.
Community organisations: Community Links, Enfield Age UK, Enfield Domestic Violence Forum, Enfield Women’s Centre, MIND, Ponders End Community Trust, Ponders End United Reform Church.
Arts organisations: The Artzone, Cultural Institute - Kings College London, Heart n Soul, Vital Exposure, Action Space, Blink Dance Theatre.
Face Front is the associate theatre company of Millfield, Dugdale and Stratford Circus Arts Centres.
FUNDERS AND COMMISSIONERS
We would like to thank the following for their financial support and commissioning:
Arts Council England, Barnet Council, Big Lottery, Bracknell Forest Council, Brent Council, Big Lottery, Camden Council, City Bridge Trust, Children In Need, Comic Relief, Council of Disabled Children, Enfield Council, Greggs, Haringey Council, Help a London Child, Ironmongers, John Lyon’s Charity, Kings Cultural Institute, Lloyds TSB, Park Avenue Disability Resource Centre, People’s Health Trust, People’s Postcode, Austin and Hope Pilkington, The Rank Foundation, Rix Thomson Rothenburg Foundation, Tottenham Grammar School Foundation, The Village School
