Peace of mind with Lewes Drama Collective
Our clear commitment to child protection and the safeguarding of our members, venue teams and audience is of the highest priority.
We Require all of our tutors, directors and assistants to apply for Enhanced Clearance via the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service, formerly Criminal Records Bureau or CRB). Ahead of each production, we notify East Sussex County Council of all children (under the age of 16) who are involved as is legally required.
Safety protocols are regularly reviewed to ensure that everyone is operating at the highest level of child protection standards. All necessary insurance, fire safety and first aid protocols are also established. Due to the current pandemic circumstances, we also have our own COVID-19 policy in place – you can read this here. To request a copy of our Safeguarding Policy, please email our team here.
Tutors and Directors
Mr Tim Rowland, BA (Hons) Perf. Arts (act)
Lead Tutor, Director, Voluntary Chaperone and more!
Tim trained at Sir Paul McCartneys’ Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) and has worked as a professional performer, writer and director for over 15 years. He is a fully qualified (QTS) and experienced Performing Arts teacher and has jointly run the group since 2010. He is fully CRB / DBS checked.
As well as being lead tutor across the groups, Tim is a voluntary chaperone, director, selects the productions, casts roles, creates lighting, music and stage plans.
James Firth-Haydon, BA (Hons) Perf. Arts
Tutor, Director and Voluntary Chaperone
After graduating from London’s Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in 1996, James has been a member of three theatre companies as an actor and has been involved with Lewes Little Theatre in main stage productions. James has been part of the Lewes Drama Collective as a key tutor, director and voluntary chaperone since its commencement in 2018 (and since Lewes Little Theatre Youth Group was restarted in 2009).
We have a number of members who have stayed with us for many years and have progressed so well that they’ve taken on stage management and tutoring roles:
Daniel Hardwick
Stage Manager and Youth Trainee Director
Known as one of our most dedicated members, Daniel has been with the Lewes Drama Collective (and former Lewes Theatre Youth Group) for 10 years. As a fully committed individual, he successfully progressed as a talented actor and impressed us with excellent assistant stage management and technical prop making abilities. Daniel is now Stage Manager for numerous productions as well as Trainee Director.
Melanie Henderson
Youth Tutor and Trainee Director
Mel has been with our group since 2010, developing her technical acting abilities and performing in a variety of roles each year. Her performing arts skills have developed exceptionally well, and Mel is also an invaluable member of the team as tutor for the Saturday Youth Group and Trainee Director.
Kezia Scripps
Junior Club Tutor and Trainee Director
Kezia joined our youth group in 2014 and is respected as a very dedicated member who has excelled in her training as an actor. Over the years, Kezia has taken on numerous lead and supporting characters, enabling her to fully appreciate the art of theatre production. She has supported our Junior Club for a number of productions and is very considerate of all members’ abilities and aspirations.
If you’d like to help our members flourish by joining our team, please get in touch via email to Tim Rowland at tim@dramacollective.com
Behind the Scenes
Hannah-Louise Roxx
Production Manager, Photographer and Voluntary Chaperone
Since we began putting on productions at the All Saints Centre in 2018, Hannah-Louise has become a valued and vital member of the production team as lighting and sound technician, photographer and most recently as voluntary chaperone. She’s always happy to help behind the scenes and can be relied upon to get the job done.
Lesley Rowland
Head of Costumes and Voluntary Chaperone
With an impressive technical skill-set and years of experience as Head Seamstress and Costume Designer for Burgess Hill Theatre Club pantomimes, Lesley works closely with our directors to devise and create a stunning range of costumes for most productions. Her extraordinary ability to conjure up the most wonderful creations for our members is always much appreciated. Lesley’s fruit muffins always go down a storm during intervals too!
Becky Rowland
Marketing, Promotions & PR
For more than 10 years, Becky has supported us with creative online and print promotional activities, working closely with Tim to ensure that each production is represented in its best form. From designing production posters, to booking space in the now much missed Viva Lewes magazine, and running the social media accounts, Becky’s marketing skills have enabled us to reach wider audiences throughout Sussex for years.
Chaperones and Helpers
We would not be able to run such brilliant productions without the fantastic support provided by voluntary chaperones, parents, tea makers and cake bakers, as well as front of house staff. We are eternally grateful for all who help and give their time so selflessly!
If you would like to volunteer and support us behind the scenes for memorable production experiences, please send an email to Becky Rowland at becky@dramacollective.com