Meet our Creative Partners 

Artist | Educator

re:imagine Project Facilitator

“I initiated this urgent and vital co-creation project because I wanted to use my own artist experience and opportunities to give something back. The amazing collection of creative partners I’ve brought together to support our creative associates are experts in their fields. With their support, and the support of some of the regions best creative venues, the re:imagine project is set to take our creative associates on a magical journey of discovery, development, transformation, and affirmation that promises to change all our lives”.

Playwright | Co-Director North Star Co-Design CIC

re:imagine Project Mentor

Lee is an award-winning playwright. His work has been performed at Bush Theatre, Young Vic, Paines Plough, Royal Exchange and he has written extensively for BBC Radio.

Lee is the current Associate Artist at Theatre by the Lake and his short film ‘Fist’ (BFI Network) won an RTS Award 2023.

Producer and Director | Co-Director North Star Co-Design CIC

reimagine Project Mentor

Louie is a maker of ideas, art, moments, and live performance events; an ideas-chaser whose work has led them to build new worlds with a host of extraordinary people in unexpected places.

With a drive to co-create with people with untold stories and unheard voices, Louie has made work on stages across the country, in fields, up mountains, on beaches, in cafes and on housing estates.

With the belief that it is the idea that binds us, Louie is building new ways to connect people through food, music, words, four square, authenticity and laughter to explore what is possible when we collaborate now and for the future of our shared worlds.

re:imagine Creative Partner

Dr. Hannabiell Sanders is an African & Latin hand percussionist, bass trombonist, composer, producer, and activist. She is a charismatic performer and teacher who is committed to using her music and knowledge in service to social justice to break stereotypes and bring diverse communities together.

Hannabiell is the Artistic Director of Harambee Pasadia CIC, Ladies of Midnight Blue, and the Hannabiell & Midnight Blue Collective.

Photo Credit: Amelia Jane Photography

re:imagine Creative Partner

Cooper McDonough is a working class actor from the West End of Newcastle. He studied at Newcastle College and received a BA Hons in Acting and also trained on Northern Stage’s NORTH Actor Training Programme.

Acting credits include Where Do We Stand? and Where Do We Belong? (Northern Stage, Young Company 2018 and 2019). Cooper performed in Northern Stage’s Christmas show; A Christmas Carol (2019) and worked as a creative facilitator and co-ordinator for The Team based in Byker.

Cooper loves diving deep into questions and figuring out what theatre, art and performance means to us all in 2023!

re:imagine Creative Partner

Mack Sproates (they/he) is a queer theatre-maker, lip syncer, facilitator and zine maker based in Newcastle. They make joyful, silly and educational work which aims to help marginalised people’s voices be seen and heard.

Photo Credit: Holly Revell

re:imagine Creative Partner

Henwar Baker is originally from Iraq but is now based in the North-East of England. Henwar has a BA in Interior Architecture and a Masters’ degree in Digital Design. She is currently engaged in PhD research on how collaborative painting as storytelling can increase arts engagement and improve the well-being of Iraqi Kurdish women diaspora in Teesside.

re:imagine Creative Partner

Lesley-Anne Rose is a filmmaker and animator based in Teesside.

“I produce, direct and write short stop motion films and short films for television broadcast, gallery exhibitions and events. I have created content for institutions, private companies and individuals ranging from BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Channel 4 and the BFI, as well music videos for artists like Kathryn Williams and Richard Dawson.

Alongside this work, I have facilitated award winning community art and animation projects, co creating film and animation pieces with groups diverse in age and ability, encouraging the telling of unheard stories and the collection of marginalised histories. Presently I am working with a group of young people on hidden and visible identities in augmented reality”.

re:imagine Creative Partner

Southpaw Dance Company works under the artistic direction and unique vision of award-winning Choreographer and Director Robby Graham. Robby creates epic visual spectacle and dynamic physical storytelling sequences in which movement, music, and dialogue are seamlessly integrated.

Robby has created work across a wide number of contexts, both outdoor and in traditional theatre contexts, across the UK, Europe, South America, and Australia, and in partnership with such organisations as the National Theatre, Lyric Hammersmith, Live Theatre Newcastle, Greenwich Docklands Festival and others. Robby was Choreographer and Movement Director for Marianne Elliott’s acclaimed production of Angels in America at the National Theatre.

Photo Credit: Dan Prince

re:imagine Project Photographer

David is a Saltburn-based photographer and theatre director whose photographic work ranges from portrait to documentary and street. After retiring from a career in university education in the performing arts David re-invented himself as a portrait and lifestyle photographer and ran his own studio until he moved back to the North East in 2014. His current work can be seen as @jonesfotografie on Instagram

re:imagine Restorative Supervision Counsellor