Meet the Company
"Until the lion tells his side of the story, tales of the hunt will always glorify the hunter "
African proverb
As we enter the final stages of our rehearsals, we share with you the creative team behind the production of #Ending the Silence along with each providing an inspirational quote – what inspires, motivates or keeps them going.
African proverb
As we enter the final stages of our rehearsals, we share with you the creative team behind the production of #Ending the Silence along with each providing an inspirational quote – what inspires, motivates or keeps them going.
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Francis Boua - Drummer
It's always seems impossible until it's done! - Nelson Mandela Born in Cote d’Ivoire Francis Boua is promoting African Drumming. After spending his childhood in a land of coffee, cacao, bananas owned by his family, Francis moved to France where he studied and qualified in Business and Management. His vision is to bring peace and harmony, into communities by integrating African drumming in cultural events and businesses. From 2000 till 2003 Francis organized the first Oxford Africa Week in Oxford in collaboration with Euton Director, then of Pegasus. From 2014 till 2016 Francis run a Fairtrade market featuring African drumming to give to local people and visitors a chance to bang the drum while shopping in Cowley Road. In 2015 Francis created “Drumming up Peace on Earth” a registered ethical brand offering a range of products such as mugs, greeting cards, calendars, T-shirts with a distinctive logo. |
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Luke Crook - Performer
This too shall pass – anonymous Luke is a freelance dance artist based in London. He trained at London Contemporary Dance School, where he graduated in 2015 with First Class Honours and has had the opportunity to perform works by Richard Alston, Didy Veldman, Crystal Pite, and Kerry Nicholls. Since graduating Luke has been working in both commercial and contemporary settings; dancing in music videos, gallery exhibitions and fashion promotion. Luke has performed in conceptual works by Pablo Bronstein as well as Holly Blakey, N’da Dance Company, Hubert Essakow, Fevered Sleep and Shobana Jeyasingh Dance. Recently working with Alexander Whitley Dance Company, Luke has performed a new solo work, Ulysses Awakes in collaboration with the 12 Ensemble, as well as the company’s newest work 8 Minutes. Luke joined Tavaziva in July 2017 and is currently touring the most recent creation Izindava. |
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Euton Daley - Performer/Director/Writer
I am a singer, not a politician. But every song I sing becomes a statement that echoes the hopes and inspirations of my people. - Miriam Makeba Euton was Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Pegasus Theatre where he worked with young people, the community and professional artistic. He has mentored, nurtured and supported numerous artists to develop new work and engage diverse audiences, including dance companies Sakoba Dance, Tavaziva, Gelede Dance and Body Politics to name a few. Euton was the theatre director for Sakoba’s successful touring production, Respite. Euton continues to support local artists and companies in his role of Arts Development Officer for Oxford City Council, as a freelance producer and project manager and through Unlock the Chains Collective. His second collection of performance poetry, #Ending the Silence will be published in summer2018. |
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Amantha Edmead - Performer
Success is liking yourself, liking what you do and liking how you do it – Maya Angelou Amantha Edmead studied acting at Guildford School of Acting and dramatherapy at University Surrey of Roehampton. Her television and theatre credits: EastEnders, Casualty, The Bill, Doctors, Song Catcher (BBC). ‘Othello’ Talawa Theatre company, ‘Pied Piper’ Orange Tree' Theatre, ‘Growing People’ London Bubble Theatre, and ‘Go Noah Go’ Little Angel Theatre, 'Not Quite Gospel' Nu Century Arts, 'The Resurrection of Little Sarah' Unity Arts, 'The Backside Monologues' Kuumba Nia Arts and 'Finding Beulah' Unity Arts and Kuumba Nia Arts. The Crocodiles Gift, Great Bear of the North and Christmas Carol (Red Dog theatre) With You Always, Byani theatre, Trim Palace 2 Heavy productions. She founded Kuumba Nia Arts in 2009 as a home for her creative passions. She has worked on many projects with Euton and is delighted to be involved with Ending the Silence. www.kuumbaniaarts.com |
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Nomi Everall - Designer/Technical Manager
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail Better - Samuel Beckett Nomi Everall is a freelance theatre-maker (designer, maker, technician) and illustrator based in Oxford. She has spent the last 13 years working for Pegasus Theatre as Youth Arts Leader for Technical & Production and later as Head of Technical & Production. As well as designing, constructing and production-managing numerous shows, installations and exhibitions for Pegasus (most recently: 'Lord of the Flies' 2016, 'Lee Raven Boy Thief' 2015, 'Warzone and The Power Within' 2015) Nomi specialised in training young technicians and designers. Nomi is also Company Designer for Fail Better Productions www.failbetterproductions.co.uk Nomi's recent work includes set/lighting design for 'Sawdust' for Arts at the Old Fire Station and Crisis Skylight; set, lighting and puppetry design for 'Once Upon A Snowflake' for Paper Balloon; set/costume design for 'Working Christmas' for Arts at the Old Fire Station, 'Night Light' for Mandala Theatre and 'Aladdin' for Wild Boor Ideas; lighting design for 'BOUND' and 'Contained' for Justice in Motion. |
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Gill Jaggers - Marketing
We don't know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward. Isabel Allende Gill has worked for a number of leading cultural organisations including theatres, galleries and museums including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham REP, Oxford Playhouse and Pegasus Theatre. She currently works in Oxford as a freelance arts marketer most recently on Oxford's Christmas Lights Festival and with Euton Daley's Unlock the Chains Collective. |
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Derek James - Filmscape
I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves - Harriet Tubman. Before Martin Luther King there was Vernon John, same church, same message but the people weren’t ready. Are You? As a long standing member of the Oxford Arts scene, Derek has filmed many prestige projects, from Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice to the visits of Jesse Jackson and Naomi Klein to the city. Derek’s book, The Direct To Fanbase Revolution was published in 2012 and he now runs workshops for the biggest names in film, music and television in Spain with major names in entertainment. Filming Ending the Silence will result in the creation of a number of Virtual Reality experiences that will be used to support the promotion of the play nationally. www.therewindgroup.com |
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Steve Macaulay - Performer
Shoot for the moon even if you miss you’ll land among stars. Norman Vincent Peale Stephen underwent his formal drama training at Kensington and Chelsea College. Here on he went on to build an impressive CV of both directorial and actors credits Outside of his work as an actor and director Stephen works tirelessly within the local community running actors workshops, and developing plays within his own professional theatre company 2heavyproductions alongside his youth theatre group. His work with 2heavyproductions has been greatly received, and widely praised. His work as a director has also seen him collaborate with several other theatre companies namely Intermission Youth theatre where he has acted as an assistant director. He’s most recent work (Blue orange) has seen him receive great acclamation. |
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Natty Mark-Samuel - Drummer
Africa may yet prove to be the spiritual conservatory of the world...When the civilised nations in consequence of their wonderful material development, shall have had their spiritual susceptibilities blunted through the agency of a captivating and absorbing materialism, it may be that they have to resort to Africa to recover some of the simple elements of faith. Edward Blyden After returning from a visit to his ancestral homeland of Ghana, in 2009, Natty Mark Samuels founded African School, a cultural education project offering African Studies to the general community. Through his work as an adult tutor for Abingdon and Witney College, he has taught at the Clockhouse (over 50s) Project, My Life, My Choice (students with learning difficulties), OAB (Oxfordshire Association for the Blind) and at Emmaus, the international charity for the homeless as well as Brookes University, for the Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Art departments. As part of the mission to introduce African Studies, in 2017, Natty Mark founded the IZIBONGO (Zulu term for poetry of praise) magazine, to share Contemporary African Art. This weekly magazine is published online in Italy and in England and each issue celebrates an individual artists. |
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Nicola Moses - Performer
Success isn't about how much money you make, it's about the difference you make in people's lives - Michelle Obama After graduating from Northern School Contemporary Dance, Nicola's career started with Phoenix Dance Company. Heading back to Oxford in 2002, Nicola joined Gelede Dance as it became a professional dance company, focusing on dance fused with martial arts. To date Nicola has taught in varies Schools, dance Schools and Pegasus theatre and is a co-founder of The Miss P Foundation. www.misspfoundation.com - an Oxford based charity committed to nurturing young people in the Arts. Nicola recent performances were with Euton’s Unlock the Chains Collective Politics of Love and Amantha’s Kuumba Nia Arts Finding Beulah and is loving still being on the stage. |
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Ehi Obiozele - Performer
Creativity is contagious, pass it on - Albert Einstein Ehi started performing at an early age and went on to be lead vocals in gospel choirs, a youth band 'Positive Vibes' and spent most of his teenage years at Oxford Youth Theatre (Pegasus Theatre) with Euton. After completing a two-year diploma at Oxford College of FE, Ehi joined Bodywork Company Cambridge studying Performing Arts. Graduating in 2001, Ehi had the lead role in Fame on the Isle of Man before embarking on a two-year tour of Portugal in a show called Sweet Soul Music working for Belinda King Presents. On returning to the UK, he worked in a Jersey production of 'All That Jazz. After this he spent 9 years touring the length and breadth of the UK, in a four-piece Motown band. Ehi currently works at a primary school as a Teaching Assistant and a Drama and Music club leader. He also supports teaching of the arts as part of the curriculum and is a vocal coach to other schools and individuals in Oxford. He is excited to treading the boards once again performing, and being part of this show alongside such a gifted cast with a powerful and relevant message. |
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Griot Chinyere - Performer
With a strong imagination you can create something from nothing. Which means you can be anything you see yourself being! Victoria Onwukamuche-Nwobani (Mother of Griot Chinyere) Griot Chinyere is an international creative facilitator, storyteller, writer and theatre director. Griot Chinyere is a British born storyteller ascending from the Igbo people of West Africa. At age 10 when on holiday with her mummy in her village of origin Chinyere had her initiation into storytelling. Since then she has travelled across Africa, Europe and the Middle East telling stories and delivering creative based group work. Griot Chinyere blends her skills as a movement stylist, and performer to create dynamic and lyrical stories worldwide. With a wonderful sense of playfulness she is involved in a myriad of diverse storytelling genres and expressions. |
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Bawren Tavaziva - Choreographer
Tavaziva was established in 2004 and is led by Zimbabwean-born Bawren Tavaziva. His unique style is a choreographic synthesis of ballet, contemporary and African dance. Tavaziva’s vision is to make original contemporary African choreography that excites, transforms and enriches people’s experience of dance. Bawren danced with Phoenix and Union dance before forming his own company in 2004, the same year he won a fellowship with Dance of the African Diaspora’s Trailblazer programme. His work can be controversial, aiming to provoke and change audience’s perceptions as he challenges conventions and highlights important issues that are unspoken especially in Zimbabwe. His latest production, Izindava, is currently on tour. www.tavazivadance.com |
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Angeli Vaid - Education & Evaluation
Fall down 7 times get up 8 - the title of a book by Naoki Higashida a young Japanese man with autism who writes about his life Angeli is a founding Director of Oxford Arts. She has a wealth of experience in community engagement projects, research and evaluation, across the arts, heritage and culture and social and health care. She has worked with local, national and regional organisations to make the arts and culture more accessible whilst making it the best it can be. She trained as a professional archivist, and worked with the East India Collection at the British Library and was the Oxford City Archivist for some years, and loves sitting in quiet libraries! Her father's family come from north India and when he came to this country IN THE 1960s he joined the British Navy, which was very unusual for an Indian at that time. Her childhood was full of different homes and schools across the UK and visits to India to see family. She is very interested in the life stories of British people whose families have connections to different parts of the world. www.oxfordartsconsultants.co.uk |
Thanks to:
Beverley Harry, Claire Thompson (Dancin' Oxford & Oxford Dance Forum), R&R Frontline Studio, Tei Williams,
Junie James (ACKHI), Pat Green, David Fisher www.fisherstudios.com
To all our funders and donors A heartfelt thanks, this wouldn't have been possible without you.
Some people want it to happen / Some wish it would happen / Others make it happen
Beverley Harry, Claire Thompson (Dancin' Oxford & Oxford Dance Forum), R&R Frontline Studio, Tei Williams,
Junie James (ACKHI), Pat Green, David Fisher www.fisherstudios.com
To all our funders and donors A heartfelt thanks, this wouldn't have been possible without you.
Some people want it to happen / Some wish it would happen / Others make it happen
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