PHSE Workshops
Embracing Arts are passionate about making PSHE content more inclusive for pupils with complex educational needs. We currently offer the following workshops:
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Online safety
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Stranger danger
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Life skills
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Building self-esteem
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Being different
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Racism and diversity
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'Chrimblesense' Cast & Creatives
CAST
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TOM BENJAMIN - Frosty
Tom is an Actor & Musician from South Wales. He trained at Rose Bruford, and has worked extensively in the field of sensory theatre.
He has appeared in two shows with Frozen Light, “2065” & “Firesongs”, and he currently works for Playground Kent delivering sensory workshops for children across the county.
Tom is delighted to be a part of the Christmas for Kids 2023 tour!
BECK GRIEG - Glow
Beck Greig is a Scottish Actor, who is now living in London. They are a nonbinary person who uses they, them pronouns. Beck trained at London College of Music, where they earned their BA Musical Theatre Degree.
Since graduation, Beck has been in the immersive theatre world, with credits in Monopoly lifesized, Phantom Peak and the Crystal Maze. They wish to use the skills earned at those shows, to create fun interactions with the audience for future shows.
Their favourite thing about Christmas, is making paper snowflakes and putting them on the window!
ROBYN OLIVIA - Joy
Robyn is a theatre maker, puppeteer and community arts facilitator. Having trained in European Theatre Arts at Rose Bruford College, she specialises in devised ensemble-based children’s and sensory theatre. Inclusivity, playfulness and community engagement is central to all aspects of her work. She facilitates and performs regularly with Create, Angel Shed and The Flying Seagulls.
Recent highlights include:
Actor/Puppeteer: Handmade Theatres Tell Me a Story, Make a Scene's Esther's Journey, Nikki Charlesworth's What Happened to You?
Director: Oxford Playhouse Primary Playmakers and Kiln Youth Theatre
Assistant Director New International Encounters The Snow Queen
CREATIVE TEAM
CLAIRE SUNDIN - Director
Claire has worked as a professional actor, singer and drama facilitator for nearly 20 years. She is the Artistic Director of Embracing Arts.
Her journey began with C4K in 2009 and is a founding member of the team. Having performed in numerous hospice shows, she tried her hand at directing and producing them and hasn't looked back. She has so far directed three digital shows for C4K as well as numerous in-person shows.
She is very excited to be back directing a new show for C4K to be played in person, and hopes everyone watching will enjoy the silliness and have lots of fun!
SUE APPLEBY - Musical Director
Sue is an actor, singer, musical director and singing teacher with over 20 years experience in the performing and coaching industries. She has performed in over 25 countries, at the National Theatre, The Royal Albert Hall, London's West End and in UK tours.
She runs her own singing teaching practice and also teaches on the BA course at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
Sue founded Christmas for Kids in 2009 and is thrilled with the charity's expansion into Embracing Arts.
KATIE HECHT - Production Manager
Katie has been working with C4K since 2016. As a performer she has been lucky enough to tour with the company, as well as enjoying an extensive career in Theatre, Film, TV and Radio.
Since moving to taking a mainly ‘behind the scenes’ role with C4K, Katie has expanded her repertoire into Stage & Production Manager, helping get the productions up on their feet and out on Tour. This year, she is excited to continue to use her knowledge of the Digital medium to produce Christmas for Kids shows in both digital and in-person formats.
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Sarah Winn - Creative Consultant
Sarah Winn trained at the Oxford School of Drama and The School of Physical Theatre. She has led and been involved in various community theatre projects, including Pinpoint Create, "South End remember us" and Runcorn Passion. During her time with Ten Ten Theatre, she created theatre with young offenders and vulnerable adults.
She has worked for Embracing Arts as workshop assistant for the last 2 years and is passionate about sensory, fun and interactive performance.
MATTHEW DAVIDSON - Makaton Consultant
Matthew has been part of the Christmas for Kids family since 2017, originally joining as the character Elf in Benson's Christmas Letter.
Christmas for Kids marked the start of his journey into accessible theatre. He is now a Makaton Regional Tutor and exploring the ways in which the communication programme, and speech and language therapy strategies more generally, can be used to increase meaningful access to theatre.
ROBYN OLIVIA - Access Co-Ordinator
Robyn is a theatre maker, puppeteer and community arts facilitator. Having trained in European Theatre Arts at Rose Bruford College, she specialises in devised ensemble-based children’s and sensory theatre. Inclusivity, playfulness and community engagement is central to all aspects of her work. She has recently completed an R & D of her own show 'Under the Sea: A sensory Under Water Adventure' with support from Graeae and mentoring from Joanna Grace and Oily Cart.
SIMON ROWE - Designer/Props Maker
Simon was born and raised in Worcester and trained at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). As an actor, Simon has worked on national and international tours, regional theatre, London's West End and in television. Art credits: Scenery and props for C4K, props, puppets and poster art for Ripley Theatre Productions; 'The Little Tempest' (Edinburgh festival), 'Rumpelstiltskin', 'Jack and the Beans...talk!' (Brighton festival), set and puppets for Zara Nunn's short film 'Don't Look Behind You' and, most recently, fabrication of Macbeth's head for 'Macbeth' Epstein theatre, Liverpool.
Check out Simon's work on his website here: www.siromakes.com
RYAN MULGREW - Assistant Stage Manager
Ryan is a freelance stage manager and graduate of the University of Exeter and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
Previous Stage Management credits include:
‘Double Act’ (The Lion & Unicorn), ‘Battersea Bardot’ (New Wimbledon Theatre Studio), ‘The Grain Store’ (The Mack), ‘Mrs Beeton Says...’ (The Mack), ‘The Little Mermaid’ (The Mack), ‘Le nozze di Figaro’ (Susie Sainsbury Theatre) and ‘Boy’ (Backstage Theatre).
Tour booking & Venue Liaison - Claire Sundin
Disability & Neurodiversity Training - David E. Watters (www.inclusionconsultant.co.uk)
'Phoebe's Green Christmas' Cast & Creatives
CAST
CECILY REDMAN - Phoebe
Cecily is a singing teacher, puppeteer and actress. In 2017 Cecily graduated from The Royal Academy of Music with an MA and DipRAM in Musical Theatre with Distinction and prior to her MA she studied at The Birmingham Conservatoire graduating with a 1st Class BMus (Hons) in Vocal and Operatic Performance. In July 2017 Cecily was the first musical theatre student to win the prestigious Spotlight Prize for Best Stage Actor and you can watch her winning performance on YouTube. Cecily has been working as a singing teacher for Arts1 Sixth Form and Part Time Schools, as well as teaching for Stagecoach Banbury. She also teaches private students from her home in Hertfordshire and has recently ventured into giving puppetry workshops in association with Parker Puppetry.
Performing Credits include:
Phoebe in Phoebe’s First Christmas (Christmas for Kids); Adeline in Adeline (Workshop); Tiffany Trump in A Brief History of Trump (Workshop); Kate/Lucy in Avenue Q (2019 UK Tour); Voice Over Opera Singer in Napolina - Mio Tesoro(Commerical); Abby in The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) (Above The Stag); Louisa in The Lightning Road (The Actor’s Church); Hazel in Free Solo (The Drayton Arms); Chorus in A Celebration of the MGM Film Musicals (John Wilson Orchestra Tour).
ELIZABETH ROBIN - Harry/Maurice
Elizabeth trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. She has recently played Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at Theatr Clwyd, and is currently rehearsing for GLOW - Buglight Theatre. She also tours the country and beyond as a vocalist for the U.K. Brunch Club, and this Christmas will be heading to Halifax as Jill to help Jack chop down a Beanstalk.
Elizabeth is Offie Award winning, other Theatre credits include Roger McGough’s Money Go Round (Assembly Ballroom - Edinburgh Fringe), Macbeth (Theatr Clwyd), Rapunzel, Cinderella (The Production Exchange), Peter Pan (Illyria Theatre), Shake the City (Leeds Playhouse, Greenwich Theatre), Atalanta Forever, A Dog’s Tale, All Hands on Deck, Redcoats (Mikron Theatre Company), The Little Mermaid (Liverpool Everyman Theatre), Meet me at the Arc at Eight (Phoenix Theatre, London), Sanctuary (Tristan Bates), Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk - (CAST Theatre Doncaster), Departures - A Song Cycle (Pleasance London), A Pacifist’s Guide to the War on Cancer (Complicité, National Theatre Studios) TV/Short film credits - Life in Black (Strada Productions), Hang Shall I (CAST), Phoebe’s Green Christmas, Benson’s Christmas Letter (Embracing Arts).
MATT HESLOP - Elf/Benson/Bow
Matt’s work as an actor-musician has taken him across the UK and Europe with a particular interest in projects that reach audiences often forgotten about by mainstream theatre.
Previously he has worked with Frozen Light, Goblin and the National Theatre in a range of shows aimed at audiences of every age and inclusive of every disability. He also runs workshops which explore communication through music and drama which have previously toured throughout South-Eastern Europe focusing mainly on engagement and inclusivity within the Roma Community.
He trained at Drama Centre London and Rose Bruford College.
PHOEBE - Performer (puppet)
Phoebe is the newest addition to the C4K puppet family. Lovingly designed and crafted by Joe Peek (see below), she featured last year in her very own story about the magic of Christmas. In 'Phoebe's Green Christmas', Phoebe brings her love of all things sustainable to the often wasteful time of Christmas, and has lots of fun with her friends in the process!
Phoebe has a love of music and a beautiful singing voice. She is delighted to be on the C4K team again and looks forward to going on this year's adventures with her puppet friends and our audience members.
CREATIVE TEAM
CLAIRE SUNDIN - Director
Claire has worked as a professional actor, singer and drama facilitator for nearly 20 years. She is the Artistic Director of Embracing Arts.
Her journey began with C4K in 2009 and is a founding member of the team. Having performed in numerous hospice shows, she tried her hand at directing and producing them and hasn't looked back. She has so far directed three digital shows for C4K as well as numerous in-person shows.
She is very excited to be back directing a new show for C4K to be played in person, and hopes everyone watching will enjoy the silliness and have lots of fun!
SUE APPLEBY - Musical Director
Sue is an actor, singer, musical director and singing teacher with over 20 years experience in the performing and coaching industries. She has performed in over 25 countries, at the National Theatre, The Royal Albert Hall, London's West End and in UK tours.
She runs her own singing teaching practice and also teaches on the BA course at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
Sue founded Christmas for Kids in 2009 and is thrilled with the charity's expansion into Embracing Arts.
KATIE HECHT - Production Manager
Katie has been working with C4K since 2016. As a performer she has been lucky enough to tour with the company, as well as enjoying an extensive career in Theatre, Film, TV and Radio.
Since moving to taking a mainly ‘behind the scenes’ role with C4K, Katie has expanded her repertoire into Stage & Production Manager, helping get the productions up on their feet and out on Tour. This year, she is excited to continue to use her knowledge of the Digital medium to produce Christmas for Kids shows in both digital and in-person formats.
LAURA KAYE THOMSON - Writer
Laura is an actor, singer and theatre maker. She has performed in Christmas For Kids' two previous UK tours and was a writer on the 2020 show 'Benson's Christmas Letter', which was C4K's first ever digital show. She is also an Associate Artist with Embracing Arts.
She also runs her own company, Music Box Theatre, which focuses on music-led theatre and has written and developed three musicals, one short play and two outdoor family shows. She is also Associate Artist at Zoo Co who she has worked with since 2018.
She is a keen facilitator and is particularly interested in environmental issues, both on and off the stage and embedding that in her own theatre practice. She is currently working towards her BSL Level 2.
CHRIS THATCHER - Puppetry Consultant
Chris trained at Mountview Theatre School.
Chris’s credits include:
Puppeteer on The Dark Crystal Age Of Resistance - Netflix
Shloppy - Online Puppet Web Series
Muppet Puppeteer on Muppets Most Wanted (Feature Film)
Bertie Beep and his Talking Sheep on Grandpa in my Pocket (CBeebies)
Puppeteer for:
Dolmio, Purple Bricks, Soreen, Good Energy, The New York Bagel Company
Other credits include:
Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q (UK Tour)
Alternate Joe Casey in Our House The Musical, Winner of Olivier Best New Musical (Cambridge Theatre)
SIMON ROWE - Designer/Props Maker
Simon was born and raised in Worcester and trained at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). As an actor, Simon has worked on national and international tours, regional theatre, London's West End and in television. Art credits: Scenery and props for C4K, props, puppets and poster art for Ripley Theatre Productions; 'The Little Tempest' (Edinburgh festival), 'Rumpelstiltskin', 'Jack and the Beans...talk!' (Brighton festival), set and puppets for Zara Nunn's short film 'Don't Look Behind You' and, most recently, fabrication of Macbeth's head for 'Macbeth' Epstein theatre, Liverpool.
Check out Simon's work on his website here: www.siromakes.com
LOADED PRODUCTIONS - Production Company
Loaded Productions has made over 1600 films since 2005; the majority being in health and social care, with clients ranging from the NHS and the Department of Transport through to charities such as Macmillan, Age UK & The Teenage Cancer Trust We are always keen for a creative challenge in our work and were therefore delighted to begin working with Embracing Arts in 2020 on their first 'digital tour' of Benson's Christmas Letter and subsequently Phoebe's First Christmas in 2021.
Phoebe's Green Christmas brings us another opportunity to collaborate creatively with EA and a team of creatives, performers and crew members to produce another wonderful sensory adventure for Christmas.
Musical Supervisor - Sue Appleby (www.sueappleby.co.uk)
Phoebe Puppet Designer & Maker - Joe Peek (www.instagram.com/joepeekpuppets/?hl=en)
Gingerbread castle designed by - Stella Backman (www.stellabackman.com)
Backing tracks & song arrangements supplied by - Hannah Hurst
‘Autumn' track written and supplied by - Elliot Mackenzie
Benson's jokes written by pupils of Pokesdown Community Primary School, Bournemouth
E-resource pack producer - Matthew Davidson
With thanks to e-resource pack contributors -
Orkid Ideas (www.orkidideas.com)
Story Massage Programme (www.storymassage.co.uk)
Willows Sensory Service (www.willowssensory.co.uk)
Tim Fisher (Tim's Pastry Club Recipe Books)
Twinkleboost (www.twinkleboost.com)
Twinkl SEND (www.twinkl.co.uk)
Mischief Theatre (www.mischiefcomedy.com)
Rehearsal Space kindly supplied at a reduced rate by Streatham Space Project (www.streathamspaceproject.co.uk)
Musical Soundtrack recorded at Perry Vale Studios (http://www.perryvalestudios.com)