Paula Garfield Artistic Director Expand Paula Garfield An actor, director, workshop leader and organiser, Paula has worked on a variety of television, film and theatre projects over the past fifteen years. She went on to establish Deafinitely Theatre with Steven Webb and Kate Furby after becoming frustrated at the barriers that deaf actors and directors face in mainstream media. She has produced and directed many plays and worked extensively in TV, including Channel Four’s Learn Sign Language, Four Fingers and a Thumb, BBC’s Hands Up and Casualty, plus appearances in every series of the BBC's deaf drama, Switch. For Deafinitely Theatre she has directed Two Chairs, Motherland, Children of a Greater God, Playing God, Double Sentence and Gold Dust. She has also devised and directed The Boy and the Statue for Deafinitely at the Tricycle Theatre and on a London schools’ tour. In 2012, as part of Deafinitely’s 10th anniversary, Paula directed Love’s Labour’s Lost for the Globe to Globe Festival at Shakespeare’s Globe, followed by Tanika’s Journey at Southwark Playhouse. Paula directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe in 2014 and a national tour of children’s production Something Else and Grounded at the Park Theatre in 2015. Paula’s production of Contractions for Deafinitely Theatre won the off West End Award (Offie) for ‘Best Production’ 2017.
Ian Street Project Manager Expand Ian Street Ian started his career in theatre as an actor. After graduating from East 15 Acting School, Ian worked successfully in the business for 12 years, and spent three of those years living and working in the USA. Once back in London, Ian started learning BSL and became the Social Group Co-ordinator at Stage Text. Ian went on to work at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, where he had the opportunity to utilise his skills in Sign Language and decided to focus on theatre and accessibility for deaf audiences. Ian joined the Deafinitely Theatre team in early 2015.
Dominic Francis Creative Producer Expand Dominic Francis Dominic Francis is a writer and producer with over 15 years’ experience working within the theatre industry. His plays have been staged at the Traverse Theatre and toured the UK, including productions at the New End Theatre, Southwark Playhouse, Theatre 503 and the Yard Theatre. From 2008 to 2011 he ran the National Youth Music Theatre, producing shows at Hull Truck, the Vanbrugh Theatre and Village Underground. Dominic also specialises in facilitation, having worked extensively throughout the UK and abroad for the National Theatre and the British Council. Since 2012 he has been Education Associate of the Michael Grandage Company and continues to lead projects for both the Donmar Warehouse and Ambassador Theatre Group.
Frankie Bridges Executive Director Expand Frankie Bridges Frankie studied at the University of Kent at Canterbury and graduated with a Masters in Creative Producing in 2008 before going on to work at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre under Michael Grandage and later with Josie Rourke. In 2012, she moved to the Michael Grandage Company and worked on such productions as Privates on Parade, Peter and Alice, The Cripple of Inishman, A Midsummer Nights Dream and Henry V in the West End. In 2014 she moved to the Flying Music Company where she worked as Senior Production Coordinator on shows such as Thriller Live - West End, on tour and globally. In 2015, she decided to move away from the commercial sector and return to her roots in subsided theatre and specifically for community arts. Deafinitely Theatre was the perfect opportunity and she now works closely with the company’s Artistic Director to deliver the artistic, operational management, social inclusion aims and the delivery of the Theatre’s activities.
Rachael Merry Youth Coordinator Expand Graduating with a First Class Honours Degree in Theatre Arts, Education and Deaf Studies from the University of Reading, Rachael has since completed her Level 6 in British Sign language while working with various Arts organisations as both a workshop facilitator and performer. She made her professional acting debut within Red Earth Theatre’s bilingual adaptation of Snow White and continues to maintain her relationship as an associate artist of The Deaf and Hearing Ensemble. Rachael has worked extensively with Young people within the arts and is thrilled to be part of Deafinitely theatre as their Youth Co-ordinator. Rachael is excited to continue achieving Deafinitely’s vision and ensure an exciting and inclusive program for the Deafinitely Youth Company and outreach programme.