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Staff

Sarah Chiswell-Hornett

Creative Engagement Manager

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Nancy Hirst

Artistic Director

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Daniel King

Executive Director

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Jemma Robinson

Senior Producer

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George Simmonds

Administration and Production Assistant

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Trustees

Alysha Sargent (Chair)
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Sophie Hamlet
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Natalie Mitchell
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Tasnim Siddiqa Amin
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Nicole Alison
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'Icon has been ahead of the curve in understanding that the arts have a role to play in bringing people together, helping them be heard by telling their own stories in their own way, and in the process creating a sense of pride in place and space.'
— Lyn Gardner, Theatre Journalist
'It was the first time I got to see drama as something for myself and something I could actively participate in and enjoy.'
— Tef - Icon Youth Theatre (Medway)
‘Icon Theatre has given me new friends, taught me new skills and challenged my lack of self-belief’
— Community Performer
'It helps you learn, it helps you grow and become more of what you want to become.'
— Ruby - Icon Youth Theatre (Medway)
‘It has been lifechanging. Lady Unchained has helped get my life changed, I’ve started to look for opportunities on the outside, and see that there is life after prison.’
— Young Artist, Cookham Wood Young People’s Theatre Programme
'Theatre31 did a great job of making the children feel comfortable and you could see their confidence grow within the session!'
— Year 5 teacher, Queenborough School and Nursery, Sheppey

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George Simmonds

Administration and Production Assistant

Prior to joining Icon in March 2022, George worked across a variety of creative fields, assisting on both big-budget feature film sets and independent short productions, as well as writing and producing content in the wellness sector. As an advocate for collaborative and artistic endeavours and the opportunities they create for those involved, George has been in his element ever since taking on this assistant role supported by Creative Estuary’s Re:Generation 2031 project.

Tasnim Siddiqa Amin

Tasnim is a British-Bangladeshi artist, writer, critic and theatremaker from East London committed to telling stories that celebrate community, culture and heritage. Growing up benefitting from cultural organisations and theatres, Tasnim is keen to give back and does this through her freelance work with young people and communities as well as through her art. She is also a keen reader and co-hosts the Creative Access Book Club. She is passionate about social justice and as a young trustee of the Global Majority she believes firmly in the value of representation at all levels in order to make better business decisions and creating high quality and world renowned theatre.

Alysha Sargent (Chair)

Alysha has been part of the Icon board since 2018 and was delighted to be elected as Chair of the Board of Trustees in 2020. Being local to The Brook Theatre, Alysha can really see the difference Nancy and the whole team makes in the local community. Alysha looks forward to being part of Icon Theatre’s continued growth and development, and to the exciting projects ahead.

Natalie Mitchell

Natalie is a trustee for Icon Theatre. She is a script writer who works across theatre, TV and radio. Credits include BBC EastEnders, When They Go Low for National Theatre Connections and The Piper for Radio 4. She is also a skilled community and education facilitator with over fifteen years’ experience for organisations including the Almeida Theatre, Synergy Theatre, Clean Break and Arvon. Having grown up in Medway, she’s delighted to play a role in such an important organisation in the area.

Sophie Hamlet

Sophie has been acting as trustee for Icon Theatre since October 2019, using her skills as a Chartered Accountant to provide financial advice and guidance. As an auditor within Grant Thornton’s Not for Profit team working with a number of arts-based clients, and an avid supporter of non-commercial theatre, she has been able to combine her experience and passion for the arts in supporting the exciting and ambitious work for which Icon is known.

Nicole Alison

Olivia Toulmin

Marketing Officer

Olivia graduated with an MA in 2018 and has since been working in communications roles in the charity sector. As a student, she organised free cultural events and volunteered with young people in Kent, developing their social skills through drama, art and storytelling. She believes the arts belong to everyone. Having grown up in the Swale and Medway towns, she’s proud to shout about Icon’s transformative projects in the area as the team’s Marketing Officer.

Naomi Rosser

Project Coordinator

Naomi has worn many hats at Icon Theatre! First joining the team as a Theatre31 Facilitator, she has also worked as Assistant Producer of If Not Now in February 2022 through the Creative Estuary’s Emerging Producer placement scheme. Naomi now works across all Icon’s projects as Project Coordinator. Graduating in 2020, she brings a fresh perspective of Applied Theatre, with a passion for putting audience and participant voices at the centre of any practice.

Jemma Robinson

Senior Producer

Jemma has a background in dance and theatre, she has produced, commissioned, and toured productions for Sadler’s Wells, Luca Silvestrini’s Protein, and Greenwich Dance. Jemma was also the Theatre Manager and Programmer for University of Hertfordshire. She has a longstanding commitment to homegrown work which is community led. Producing highlights include Invisible Dancing for Hull City of Culture and Tanztheater Pina Bausch World Cities for the 2021 Cultural Olympiad.

Sarah Chiswell-Hornett

Creative Engagement Manager

Sarah trained at The BRIT School, De Montfort University and The Central School of Speech and Drama. Since 2002, Sarah has delivered engagement projects in schools, colleges and venues, co-created youth and community events, directed many youth theatre productions and produced youth theatre festivals across the Midlands and Southeast. Sarah is passionate about youth and community arts projects that create safe spaces for participants to think big and make theatre that is genuine, relevant and most of all fun!

Daniel King

Executive Director

Before joining Icon in September 2021, Dan worked in marketing and communications for some of the best-known arts and culture organisations including Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Donmar Warehouse, Roundhouse, Sadler’s Wells, DreamWorks, the Albany and Fun Palaces, and in 2018 was interim Executive Director at Camden People’s Theatre. Outside of work Dan is a Trustee of Kent-based arts organisation Applause and is a keen (slow) marathon and a CrossFitter.

Nancy Hirst

Artistic Director

With a passion for arts and social change, Nancy trained at the National Theatre Studio and set up Icon in 2002 to develop accessible participatory and community theatre projects and productions. She has worked at the Opera North and the Yvonne Arnaud, BAC, Soho, Arcola and Young Vic Theatres.

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