About Us

Sixth Sense is passionate about theatre and young people.

Our mission is to produce high quality contemporary theatre that helps young people to fulfil their potential.

In order to fulfil this mission, we aim to:

• Produce professional theatre for young people
• Produce theatre projects which encourage young people to participate in and lead the theatre making process.
• Identify those young people who are not yet involved in theatre activities and create opportunities for them to engage with projects.
• Develop theatre as an artform by finding new ways of working
• Work in alliance with organisations sharing Sixth Sense's values and interests
• Participate in relevant debates about young people's issues and theatre
• Encourage the development of both the organisation and those who work with us through the best management practices
• Create the right organisational structure to enable these aims to happen.

Sixth Sense aspires to the following values throughout its work:

• Equality of Opportunity - treating individuals with respect and dignity and valuing difference
• Excellence - both in artistic and management practice
• Access- extending access and building audiences
• Accountability - to our stakeholders
• Flexibility - to allow Sixth Sense to adapt and develop
• Integrity - striving to work ethically at all times
• Sustainability - as an organisation and a service provider

Meet the Team

The Board
Di Harris (Chair), Gerry Hannon (Treasurer), Mark Powell, Jeanette Chipping, Deryck Newland, Sue Welsh, Rachel Dancy & Isobel Thompson.

These are the people who are legally responsible for the company and its activities. They do this for free! How wierd! However, they are fine people who give fantastic support to the staff and advise them on best practice and policies. We have to say nice things about them because they set our rates of pay.

Benedict Eccles
Artistic Producer

                             

Ben is the guy who thinks he's in charge. He recommends - with the aid of our official Board of Management - what the Company's overall policy will be, what professional shows we are going to put on, what outreach and education work we do, and he also talks to our major funders - Arts Council of England and Swindon Borough Council. Ben also directs one or more of the Company's professional productions each year and some of our bigger outreach projects.

As Sixth Sense's Artistic Producer, Ben has created over 60 new writing commissions for young people over the past 20 years. He has commissioned and produced work with several major theatre organisations including Salisbury Playhouse, Cheltenham Everyman, Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company and Greenwich Young Peoples Theatre. He also directs mainstream theatre and corporate video productions internationally.

Ben is also Vice Chair of ITC (web address) and WASSA, and is on the steering committees of Artsmad and TheatreWorks.

Jemma Baker
General Manager

                                                                                                                       Jemma is responsible for organising the company's professional tours (inc. tour booking, negotiation and planning, managing artists etc), publicity and marketing, event production, finance and administration. She is on the Swindon Does Arts Renaissance Group steering committee and that of Commonweal School.  The majority of her previous work entailled working with young people- as a  Primary Literacy Assistant at Greenwood Infant School in Nottingham, and Activity Manager for Isis Education and Travel- one of the country's leading student and youth tour operators.  

Laura Dlucik
Education & Outreach Leader

                                                                                                                          Laura has worked with young people of all ages on a variety of theatre projects.  She has directed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, run summer schools, worked as a secondary school teacher and on developmental schemes in primary schools.  She has a degree in Drama and English which she gained at Bristol University and now leads Swindon Youth Theatre workshops/participatory workshops for specific & diverse audience groups of young people, and provides services in youth, education, arts and community settings. Laura is also on the Artsmad steering committee.

 

Meryvn Heard
Freelance Consultant

                                                                                                                             Dr Mervyn has worked in all branches of theatre and arts administration. He has worked for Unicorn Children's Theatre in London, at the Globe Theatre on the South Bank, the Watermill at Newbury and for various touring companies. He also presents Victorian Magic Lantern shows in national theatres and museums in the UK and internationally.

Hire our Van

Sixth Sense are now the proud owners of a 5 seater transit van!!  ''Titania'' as she has become known (!!) is available for hire.  Details:  LT 35 TDi Volkswagon transit, WLB, 3.5 tons, 5 seats, 4 metres carriage.  Contact Jemma further information.