Executive Team
Lynette Linton
Artistic Director
Lynette is a BAFTA nominated writer and director for theatre, TV and film, and took over as Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre in 2019. Her programming at the Bush has centred on ground-breaking debuts from UK and Irish writers. It has seen three consecutive Olivier Award wins for Richard Gadd’s Baby Reindeer, Igor Memic’s Old Bridge and Waleed Akhtar’s The P Word, nominations for Shahid Iqbal Khan’s 10 Nights and Margaret Perry’s Paradise Now!, and the West End transfer of Tyrell Williams’ Red Pitch. In 2023, the Bush was named Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards.
For her production of Blues for an Alabama Sky at the National Theatre, she won the awards for Best Director at the 2022 Evening Standard Theatre Awards and 2022 Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards.
Lynette’s directorial screen debut, My Name is Leon, a feature-length television adaptation of Kit de Waal’s award-winning novel, aired on BBC2 in June 2022. In 2023, she was nominated for the Emerging Talent: Fiction BAFTA award for her work on the film.
Lynette directed the UK premiere of Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Sweat (Donmar Warehouse, Gielgud Theatre) for which she won Best Director at the inaugural Black British Theatre Awards. Sweat also won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Play and was nominated for an Olivier award for Best New Play in 2019.
Her other directing credits include: Clyde’s by Lynn Nottage (Donmar); As We Face The Sun by Kit Withington (as co-director with Katie Greenall, Bush); August in England by Lenny Henry (as co-director with Daniel Bailey, Bush); House of Ife by Beru Tessema (Bush); an adaptation of Jackie Kay’s Chiaroscuro (Bush); Richard ii (as co-director with Adjoa Andoh, Globe); Assata Taught Me (Gate); Function (National Youth Theatre). She was Resident Assistant Director at the Donmar Warehouse from 2017 to 2018.
As a writer, her credits include: Look at Me (ITV); Hashtag Lightie (Arcola); Chicken Palace and Step (Stratford East).
Lynette is featured in The Stage 100 list alongside Mimi Findlay and Daniel Bailey.
Mimi Findlay
Executive Director
Mimi was previously the Administrative Producer at the Albany for the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2022 – We Are Lewisham, Previous Chair of the Judges for the Alfred Fagon Award (2019-2022), and is currently the Chair of the Board for Theatre Uncut.
Prior to this she has worked with companies including Clean Break, Talawa, Fuel, Actors Touring Company, the National Theatre and Paines Plough.
Alongside the delivery of multiple events for London Borough of Culture including Close To Home: The Mass Dance Event (2022), her credits include Blis-ta (2021) Recipient of Tinniswood Award 2022 – BBC Audio Drama Awards, [BLANK] by Alice Birch [Donmar Warehouse; 2019 – a Clean Break and Donmar Warehouse co-production] and The Dark by Nick Makoha [UK National Tour; 2018-2019] for Fuel. She produced the new writing festival Talawa Firsts from 2015 – 2017 supporting a number of writers in the development of new works including Tash Marshall’s Half Breed, babirye bukilwa’s …hour and theatre makers including Azara Meghie, Ann Akin and Botis Seva – Far From the Norm.
She provides consultancy and mentorship for artists at various stages of their careers and is a firm advocate for inclusive practice. She has previously participated on panels and in workshops for the Greater London Authority for London Borough of Culture, Theatre Peckham, National Theatre, China Plate, The Roundhouse, people make it work, and Creative Access, and contributed to a number of studies in equality of access and opportunity.
She is committed to developing and progressing conversation and action towards a more representative and inclusive cultural landscape in the UK and beyond, championing and sustaining underrepresented artists careers from all corners of the industry, and harnessing artists’ voices to enhance the British cultural experience for everyone.
Bush Team
Daniel Bailey
Associate Artistic Director
Daniel joined the Bush in 2019 alongside Lynette Linton. He was previously Associate Director at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, originally joining The REP as part of the Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme and where his work included artist development programmes for writers, theatre-makers and directors. Directing work includes: Blue/Orange, Concubine, Stuff, I Knew You, Abuelo, Jump! We’ll Catch You, Made In India/Britain and Exhale. He has previously been Resident Director at the National Theatre Studio, Associate Artist at Theatre Stratford Royal East and Resident Assistant Director at The Finborough Theatre. Daniel studied Modern Drama at Brunel University before participating in the Young Vic’s Introduction to Directing. His previous theatre directing credits include: My Darling Wife (Talawa Theatre Company), Pre Judgment Day and Covered (New Heritage Theatre). Daniel was also Assistant Director on King Lear (Talawa/Manchester Rx/Birmingham Rep) Back Down, Anita and Me, (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Silent Planet and Rachel (Finborough Theatre), Inherit The Wind (New Vic). His film director credits include: On Belonging (Young Vic), Malachi (S.E.D), Floating On Clouds (Kingdom Entertainment Group) and Y.O.L.O. Therapy (S.E.D).
Oscar Owen
Senior Producer
Oscar is the Senior Producer at the Bush, working across productions and artistic planning to deliver the Bush Theatre’s programme and support creatives and shows at all stages of development. Oscar first joined the Bush in 2019 as Assistant Producer before becoming Associate Producer and then Producer. Before this he worked with Nuffield Southampton Theatres where he supported the producing, programming and community teams. Oscar studied Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Warwick, and whilst there produced shows at the Warwick Arts Centre as well as working for the National Student Drama Festival, Warwick Student Arts Festival and International Federation of Theatre Research 2014 Conference. As a freelancer, Oscar has provided dramaturgical and producing support for multiple projects including at VAULT Festival and Edinburgh Fringe, and produced the original production of Walrus Theatres’ Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons.
Nikita Karia
Associate Producer
Nikita is the Associate Producer at the Bush Theatre, working across the mainhouse and studio to deliver the artistic programme. At the Bush, she produced the 50th studio season and is currently producing the remount of Anoushka Lucas’ Elephant (Best Writer – Stage Debut winner 2023). Before this, Nikita was a freelance theatre producer working for companies such as Chinese Arts Now & Spies Like Us Theatre and producing award-winning fringe theatre on the festival circuit and internationally. She is a trustee of the Pleasance Theatre Trust and is on the shortlisting panel for the Edinburgh Untapped Award. Nikita is also a regular contributor at The Stage.
Titilola Dawudu
Associate Dramaturg
Titilola Dawudu is the Associate Dramaturg at the Bush Theatre, heading up the Literary department. She works with the Artistic Director and Associate Artistic Director to commission and nurture news plays and ideas, working closely with writers, managing writing groups and the talent development pipeline.
Previously she was the Creative Associate at Clean Break and she has worked for organisations such as Ovalhouse, Soho Theatre, NitroBeat, The Advocacy Academy and Coventry City of Culture Trust.
She was the dramaturg Tyrell Williams’ early inception of Red Pitch at Ovalhouse and dramaturged Kwame Owusu’s Dreaming and Drowning which was one of the plays from the RSC’s 37 Plays.
Titilola is part of the Black Womxn in Theatre team behind the iconic #WeAreVisible photoshoot of over 250 Black women at the Globe Theatre in July 2019. During the pandemic, Black Womxn in Theatre partnered with Eclipse Theatre and the Bush in creating #AllOfUs campaign and #HearToStay a 4-week redundancy recovery care programme. This saw 50 Black, Asian and ethnically diverse people who were made redundant or were at risk of, come together and receive financial, mentoring and job support.
Titilola co-created and edited Hear Me Now Audition Monologues for Actors of Colour with Tamasha, published by Oberon Books. Hear Me Now Volume Two was published in August 2022 by Methuen Drama. As a writer, Titilola has written for Theatre Royal Arojah in Abuja, Nigeria, Theatre Peckham, Ovalhouse, Beyond Face and Soho Theatre.
Laetitia Somè
Literary & Producing Assistant
Laetitia Somé is a French-Burkinabé actress and writer who trained both in acting, directing and dramaturgy in Paris (La Sorbonne Nouvelle) and London (IDSA). She is particularly keen in exploring stories from unheard voices, both in English or in French. She fell in love with the Bush Theatre when she started working there as a Duty Manager, before joining the Literary and Producing team.
Angela Wachner
General Manager
Angela is the General Manager of the Bush Theatre, looking after our building on the Uxbridge Road, managing Human Resources and leading our front of house operation teams including Front of House Management, Box Office, the Library Bar and Events. Angela was previously with Theatre Centre as their Programme and Administration Manager producing their UK tours and leading on general management. Angela worked on a year long diversity project at the Royal Opera House developing a strategy for increasing diversity across all recruitment for the company. Prior to this, Angela worked at the National Theatre – first as part of the Catering department then as part of the newly formed Audience Experience department including acting as Head of Audience Experience during the £80 million capital project leading on recruitment, development and engagement for a team of 450 staff. Angela began her career as an actor and director in Australia co-founding Core Theatre, with the ambition to create work exploring women’s stories and using a model of collaboration to enable women to thrive in the rehearsal room.
Charlie Sadler
Event Sales Manager & Technician
Charlie is the Event Sales Manager and Technician at the Bush. Charlie previously worked at The Ritzy cinema managing events, film premieres and coordinating live music performances. Charlie’s technical work includes live sound mixing, cinema projection and video editing. Charlie graduated from East 15’s World Performance in 2021 and recently had his professional debut at the Bush in Clutch.
Jamie Haigh
Technical & Buildings Manager
John Pullig
Senior Technician
John has 15 years of Technical/Management experience in Theatre and Events, including a number of venues e.g Albert Hall, Battersea Arts, London Coliseum and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He is a big Rugby and Marvel fan, and loves talking about photos and watching Theatre.
Shannon Clarke
Head of Marketing
Shannon is the Head of Marketing at the Bush. Shannon is a generalist marketer with five years experience in non-profit arts and culture, working in a variety of roles at the Bush, and as a freelance marketing consultant. She has previously worked as Marketing Assistant for Theatre and Dance at the Barbican Arts Centre. She has a BA in Literature from University of East Anglia.
Ed Theakston
Marketing Manager
Ed is the Marketing Manager at the Bush. Ed has worked at theatre venues in a variety of roles including as Front of House Manager at The Bunker Theatre for two years, and as Assistant Box Office Supervisor at the Royal College of Music. Alongside this, they have worked as a freelance producer and theatre-maker, are currently on the Soho Theatre Writers’ Lab, and they are co-founder of collaborative theatre company We Are Kilter. As a creative producer and director, Ed’s work has been seen at venues including Theatre503, the King’s Head, Camden People’s Theatre and Tara Arts, including the recent Arts Council England funded tour of Theatre For Two. Ed graduated from East 15 Acting School with a degree in Acting & Contemporary Theatre.
Martin Shippen
Press Manager
Martin looks after all aspects of press and media communications at the Bush Theatre. He has worked in press and marketing of the arts for over 25 years, most recently as Press Manager at the National Theatre. Prior to this he worked as a freelance on both PR and marketing for most of the major UK theatre companies and venues as well as European, US and Canadian Producers and annually at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Laela Henley-Rowe
Marketing Officer
Laela is the Marketing Officer at the Bush Theatre, working to deliver campaigns in support of the Theatre’s marketing objectives. Alongside her role at the Bush, Laela is also a freelance actor & writer with a focus on telling stories from her perspective as queer black woman from South London. She has a BA in Drama from Liverpool John Moores University.
Nicima Abdi
Marketing & Development Assistant
Nicima Abdi serves as the Marketing & Development Assistant at the Bush. Her creative background includes a history as a member of ‘Company Three’ – a young theatre company, where she developed her passion for theatre and prior to her start had worked in freelance marketing. In addition to her role at the Bush, Nicima is also a freelance poet and engages in creative direction for photography, exploring different mediums of storytelling.
Neil Harris
Head of Finance
Neil currently works as a Head of Finance and Trustee at several organisations that are engaged in providing creative experiences or providing an opportunity for students, teachers and writers to develop their creative skills. As well as his main role as Head of Finance at the Bush Theatre Neil is part time Head of Finance at the Blackheath Conservatoire, which provides art, drama and music courses to the local community. He is Trustee at AND, the Arts Council Funded Bridge charity for education and the arts in London and Trustee at the Arvon Foundation, the Arts Council Funded national creative writing charity. Neil has wide experience of the charity, education and not-for-profit sectors, including working with Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication and Oxford University. A graduate of Warwick University he was President of the Drama society but can certainly claim no acting ability!
Lauren Francis
Finance Assistant
As Finance Assistant at the Bush Theatre, Lauren supports Neil in all aspects of the department. She has extensive experience of managing finance related tasks having previously held various positions within the financial sector. Lauren was accredited with a degree in Accounting and Finance and brings her knowledge and expertise to support the day-to-day running of the Bush’s finance function.
Jocelyn Cox
Head of Development
Jocelyn joined the Bush in 2023, bringing extensive experience of both professional fundraising and theatre. She was previously Creative Director at Catsnake: the Story Agency, a creative agency for the third sector. There, she worked on fundraising campaigns and strategies for many of the most impactful charities in the UK, including Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, Guide Dogs, Greenpeace, Amnesty International, WWF-UK and St Mungo’s Homeless Charity. Before this, she worked for Good Chance Theatre as Head of Marketing.
Jocelyn’s career in theatre began as an RTYDS Resident Assistant Director at the Octagon, Bolton. She was a Resident Director at the Almeida before working as Resident and Associate Director on productions across the UK, in London’s West End and in New York and Washington DC. She is the Associate Director of The Jungle by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson.
Her work on productions has always been complemented by a considerable portfolio as a charity fundraiser and creative strategist. She has crafted public facing comms across multiple continents, helped form major philanthropic programmes, created digital, print, radio and television adverts, and developed multi-year fundraising and growth strategies for charities of every size. She has secured funding and support that has safeguarded the future of endangered habitats, provided pathways for marginalised communities to be celebrated and heard, and ensured aid, dignity and care reach those who need it most.
Jocelyn is excited to use her expertise to ensure the Bush can maintain its outstanding commitment to bold programming, diverse voices, vital talent development, and community engagement.
Laura Aiton
Development Officer
Laura is the Development Officer at the Bush. Alongside this, Laura works as a freelance Producer and Theatre Maker and has an MA in Creative Producing from Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. She is currently Producer for Spun Glass Theatre and is passionate about creating work with children, young artists and communities at its core.
Eilidh Nurse
Development Officer
Prior to joining the Bush team, Eilidh worked at the National Theatre where she was New Work Assistant at the NT Studio. She’s held a variety of past positions including Assistant Producer at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, and Assistant Producer for Glasgow-based theatre company Wonder Fools, where she successfully fundraised focusing on Trusts and Foundations. Eilidh is also a writer and has had work performed at the Traverse Theatre, Rose Theatre and Riverside Studios. In her spare time she loves films and reading, as well as watching a lot of new writing!
Holly Smith
Community Producer
Holly Smith is a Creative Engagement Producer with 7 years experience producing high-quality theatre engagements projects, productions and events for community and young artists across London. Holly’s practice is participant-led and trauma-informed, with a key focus on care, fun and the personal touch. Holly is a Mental Health First Aider and believes in the power of creativity and expression in healing and sustaining good mental health.
Katie Greenall
Young Company Director
Katie is the Young Company Director at the Bush. Katie works closely with Holly to deliver the Bush’s Community programme. Alongside their work here, Katie is a freelance workshop facilitator, theatre maker and poet, currently making her own solo autobiographical work around topics of fatness and body politics. After graduating from East 15 with a degree in Acting and Community Theatre, her passion for community theatre is at the heart of her practice. She makes work and delivers workshops with people all over London including at The Yard Theatre, National Youth Theatre and The Roundhouse.
Joanne Leung
Community Producing Assistant & Theatre Administrator
Joanne assists the Community team in curating locally engaging work, and supporting HR & recruitment campaigns. Born in Canada and raised in Hong Kong, she has recently obtained MFA Acting at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Before joining the Bush, she has co-produced and been featured in multiple projects from screen to theatre, and is continuing her journey in making migrant-led narratives.
April Miller
PA to the Executive
Ade Seriki
Venue Manager (Theatre)
Ade studied Musical Theatre and classical singing at Trinity Laban conservatoire. She then went onto producing her own independent arts projects and was apart of an arts collective in South London. She has work for Amazon Music/Push Live as a project manager and freelanced for Boiler Room, MOBO Awards and FireFox web browser. She was a duty manger at Rich Mix cultural arts foundation. She is currently the lead singer and synth player in an independent indie rock band called The Outers, who have gone onto play many festivals and and venues around the UK and Ireland.
Adaeze Uyanwah
Venue Manager (Bar)
Adaeze manages the Bush Theatre’s Bar and Cafe. Adaeze is a native of Southern California. She has recently obtained an MA in Screen Acting from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Her first degree was in Theatre with an emphasis on playwriting. Her future aspirations include running a production company with projects in both theatre and film.
Robin Wilks
Assistant Venue Manager (Box Office)
Robin oversees all operations of the box office, ensuring all visitors are welcomed warmly to the building. He first joined the Bush in 2019 as a box-office assistant, and has also worked across the front-of-house department and as a duty manager. Prior to this, Robin worked in box-office roles at the Royal Court Theatre and the King’s Cross Theatre. He has also released two electronic pop albums under the name Bobby Whirlwind – and is currently working on a follow-up.
Front Of House
Duty Venue Managers:
Sara Dawood, Molly Elson, Rae Harm, Nick Malkevitz, Madeleine Simpson-Kent & Anna-May Wood.
Venue Supervisors:
Antony Baker, Addy Caulder-James, Judd Launder & Coral Richards.
Venue Assistants:
Louise Barclay Johnson, Will Byam-Shaw, Nikki Farrell, Lydia Feerick, Matias Hailu, Bo Leandro, Nzuzi Malemda, Carys Murray, Louis Nicholson, Jennifer Okolo, Kyra Palma, Kathrine Payne, Saroja-Lily Ratnavel, Stephanie Cremona & Zea Hiland.
Pirate
Resident Cat (Retired)
Pirate came to the Bush from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. His job was to keep an eye on all things showbiz. He has now retired – but you can see his tweets at @bush_cat_pirate
Marley
Resident Cat (Retired)
Marley also arrived at the Bush from Battersea, and his main job was to sit in the Artistic Director’s chair. He has now retired – but you can see his tweets at @BushCatMarley