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Staff

Nancy Hirst

Artistic Director

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Dan King

Executive Director

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Jemma Robinson

Head of Programme, Theatre31

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Sarah Chiswell-Hornett

Head of Programme, Theatre31 (Maternity Cover)

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Naomi Rosser

Project Coordinator

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Olivia Toulmin

Marketing Officer

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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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Angie Fullman
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★★★★ ‘It is easy to take for granted the acting skills of a top theatre company. But when actors embody characters as superbly as this, you can’t help but notice.’
— The New Statesman
'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
78% of the participating young people said they were more confident and had more friends as a result of the project
— Six Ways To Wellbeing, young people's wellbeing project
★★★★ ‘A sharp, impeccably performed and blazingly impassioned piece of theatre…simply terrific.’
— The Times
‘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
‘Icon Theatre has given me new friends, taught me new skills and challenged my lack of self-belief’
— Community Performer

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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.

Angie Fullman

Currently General Manager at Shakespeare’s Globe, Angie has a background in theatre management, project consultancy and arts administration. Previous professional roles have been at Frantic Assembly, the National Theatre and Charcoal Blue. Angie is originally from Medway and began her career performing on stage at age 3 at the Brook Theatre. She is a founding member of Scrawny Cat Theatre Company, and has written and performed work for Camden Roundhouse, V&A Museum, and Union Theatre. Angie has been a trustee of Icon since 2018.  

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

Head of Programme, Theatre31

Jemma is Head of Programme for our Theatre31 young people’s programme. With 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

Head of Programme, Theatre31 (Maternity Cover)

Sarah trained at The BRIT School, De Montfort University and The Central School of Speech and Drama. Sarah has spent twenty years delivering exciting creative learning programmes in venues including The Haymarket Theatre, Leicester, The Castle, Wellingborough and The Orchard Theatre, Dartford. Sarah is passionate about youth arts projects that create safe spaces for participants to think big and make theatre that is genuine, relevant and most of all fun!

Dan 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, is a keen (slow) marathon runner and has a cocker spaniel, Charlie.

Nancy Hirst

Artistic Director

With a passion for arts and social change, Nancy trained at the National Theatre Studio and set up Icon Theatre in 2002 to develop accessible participatory and community theatre projects. She has worked at the Opera North and the Yvonne Arnaud, BAC, Soho, Arcola and Young Vic Theatres. Career highlights include winning a Fringe First, decorating the bin lorries of Dartford with young people’s artwork, and hearing our cast of 160 performers singing in Fort Amherst in The Chatham Witch.

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