The Playbox
Theatre Team

Founding and Executive Director of Playbox Theatre, Mary trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

Theatre credits include Oh What A Lovely War; Lysistrata; The White Devil; House of Bernarda Alba; Cinderella; Henry V; Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Film work includes Sir Gawain and The Green Knight.

Mary has also directed numerous productions for Playbox Theatre including The Boyfriend; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Pinocchio; The Grimm Trilogy; NEWS; Cinderella; Oddweek; The Red Shoes; Strikes; Kinderstransport; Yerma; The Little Mermaid; Cabaret; The Mysteries; The Houses of Bernarda Alba; The Taming of The Shrew; Sleeping Beauty; Playhouse Creatures; Wonderia; Pippi Longstocking; The Tempest; Macbeth; The Merchant of Venice; Laura Spinney Hills & The Turbo Donkey; Dave’s Amazing Trainers; The Princess & The Pea; Scarlet Pimpernel; How To Be A Superhero; Haito The Tree Wizard; The Little Match Girl; Bad Girls; Double Act; Beautiful Soup; Heckedy Peg; Blue Stockings; The Three Musketeers; Games & Thrones: Henry VI; Teeny Tiny & The Witch Woman; Rats Tales; Formula X; Grimm Tales and The Wizard of Oz.

Recently, Mary directed Much Ado About Nothing for Shakespeare Young Company, and Martyr by Marius Von Mayenberg.

With over two decades as an Associate Director and as Literature Associate for Playbox Theatre Company, heading up many of the company’s most established Training and Performance centres – as well as Founding and Artistic Director of the ground-breaking Blank-Shift Creative Writers’ Workshop based at The Dream Factory – Toby is one of the region’s leading theatre practitioners.

Toby graduated with Honours from Bristol University’s Drama; Theatre, Film and Television course in 1999, and with Distinction from the University of Oxford in 2013.  He is a highly experienced writer, actor and director whose work has taken him across the world, and his dynamic and cross-disciplinary approach to training has led many towards similarly successful and rewarding careers in the performing and creative arts.

Acting for the stage includes the title roles in Macbeth and Henry V; Puck, Malvolio, Warwick, Claudius and Bolingbroke — all for Generator Theatre. For Dead Protest – Estragon in Waiting for Godot and Lussurioso in The Revenger’s Tragedy.

As a director, Toby’s recent stagings include Playbox Theatre’s productions of Beowulf, Framed, Treasure Island, and Skellig.  For the Playbox run Ustinov Theatre School (UK), he also created and directed Paradise Kill, Gutterhead and Catching Flies.​

Writing for the stage, his work numbers more than forty adaptations and new commissions.  Among them – The Shadow Roads, The Fallen (Edinburgh Fringe and Santa Monica Playhouse), Chalk Walls (RSC Summerhouse), Gravediggers (Warwick Arts Centre/Battersea Arts Centre), West Country Gangster, (Regional Tour), Oddweek, Dave’s Amazing Trainers, How to be a Superhero! (The Prince of Wales Trust), Delicious Oeshee! (Tokyo Tour 2006), Alice in Wonderland, Hedbull, The Snow Queen, Monkey (USA Tour 2008/2016/2018), The Story of the Jaguar and the Old, Old World, Blank-Shift’s Gretel and the stage treatments of S.F. Said’s Varjak Paw and Kate Brown’s Spider Moon. His latest works for Blank-Shift with Playbox Theatre, Midnight in Raisin Town and Mariner, premiered in 2022.

I started my Playbox Theatre journey at age 9, attending sessions in Stratford-upon-Avon. Little did I know it was the beginning of decades of time within the Playbox Family.  

After many years of attendance, I began assisting my director, Emily, probably becoming the longest running Senior Assistant, as I just had too much fun!  I studied Early Years education alongside work at Playbox, and both were a great help to one another.  

My many roles within the Playbox world began with working alongside directors during the preschool ‘Early Stagers’ programme. This then developed into my own role as an educational director, running sessions with several schools, as well as at The Dream Factory. I absolutely love bringing energy and magic to outside settings, giving them an insight into the wonderfully creative world of drama.  

This then developed into working within The Dream Factory as an Information Officer and supporting the facilitation of Playbox Parties – this role was fantastic and gave me the opportunity to meet lots of new people.   

I then took a break to continue my work in early years and education, and to have two wonderful children of my own. With my daughter, then aged 3, beginning her own Playbox Journey it was the perfect time to come back to The Dream Factory.  

I have now taken over the role as Head of Children’s Welfare and look forward to the exciting times ahead.  

Lily started her Playbox journey at Stratford Playbox in 2004 until 2012. She then returned to Playbox in 2018 assisting Emily at Stratford Playbox which helped her discover my passion for early years education and the impact of creative arts on child development.

Lily continued exploring this passion at the university of Brighton whilst getting her degree in primary education with qualified teaching status, choosing to do assignments around stories and how they help us make sense of the world as we grow up and how we can use drama to explore and facilitate this (whilst running Playbox preschool holiday projects during breaks).

She has loved continuing all of this exploration in her job as a nursery practitioner in Warwick and using skills from both nursery and Playbox to improve her professional development.

Alfie is an actor, writer and workshop director raised in the West Midlands but now based in London.

Alfie began his journey at Playbox theatre from a young age, taking part in productions such as Peter Pan (2014), The Three Musketeers (2015), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2018). Alfie has also directed for Playbox, with Furnace for your Foe (2018).

Alfie then went on to train at LAMDA. Since graduating, he has gone on to work at The Donmar Warehouse and Hampstead Theatre.

Mery joined Playbox at age 7 and was involved with numerous productions and workshops as a member for 12 years.

In 2025, Mery spent her gap year working at Playbox, running Magic Carpet storytelling for preschool children, as well as being a Senior Assistant on many workshops and a part of the Front of House team. On top of this, she was part of ‘The Blue Rider Ensemble’, a cohort of Playbox Members taking a gap year. With this company, Mery made her directing debut with ‘The Comedy of Errors’. 

During the summer of 2025, Mery was lucky enough to be part of the Playbox tour to Japan. Working with Model Language Studio (MLS) and Playbox, she lead workshops for pupils in Japan, helping them to gain confidence and develop their English speaking. 

Currently, Mery is working towards a degree in Theatre and Performance Studies at Bristol University.

Esme’s been a part of Playbox Theatre for over 15 years. As a member, her workshops included acting sessions in Stratford Upon Avon and Warwick, Musical theatre, Professionals, Acting for Screen and Blank Shift. During this time, she took part in over 20 productions at the Dream Factory as well as performing in A Christmas Carol at the RSC in 2017. She helped assist many workshops and is now looking forward to continuing her journey as a workshop director.

Esme’s recently toured Japan with Playbox, gaining experience teaching English through theatre in schools with the Playbox gap year company. Also during this gap year, Esme was a member of the ‘Blue Rider Ensemble’, for which performances in the studio were created and directed by members of the company.

Esme now moves on to the University of Bristol, taking a BA Joint Honours in Theatre and Film studies. Playbox is a Magical place and she feels it couldn’t have been better place to grow up.

Richard works as an MD, composer and teacher throughout the UK. Previous work includes projects for the Southbank Centre, Tate Modern, Longborough Opera and the Ambassador Theatre Group. Richard has also been a guest lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London. Composition projects include music for BBC, ITV, Channels 4 and 5, the Young Vic and Critical Moment Theatre. Richard has also worked with the X-Factor and has contributed music to TV shows including The Crown and Bridgerton.

Richard studied music at Goldsmiths College before completing a Ph.D at Royal Holloway. Richard received Arts Council DYCP funding to create a project, Sensoria, in which Playbox members contributed to the recording. Other live projects include a UK tour with the Modulus String Quartet exploring caves and interesting concert locations over the country. Richard loves working with musical theatre groups and has worked at Playbox Theatre on and off for fifteen years.

Hannah started training at two and a half years old at The Dance Consortium in Tunbridge Wells. During her time there she gained her Advanced Level qualifications in Ballet, Modern, Tap and National as well as competing on a National level at the All England Dance Festival, which she won when she was 12.

As a child Hannah was signed to Redroofs Children’s Agency and played roles both on screen and stage, the highlight being Little Cosette in Les Miserables in London’s West End when she was 9.

As an adult Hannah has performed numerous roles for different theatre companies including Irene Molloy in Hello Dolly (TWODS), Carmen in Fame (STC), Rusty in Footloose (STC), Kathy Selden in Singing in the Rain (LWMS) and Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde (LWMS).

Hannah currently teaches Ballet, Modern, National, Tap and Musical Theatre at Leamington and Warwick Academy of Dance, where she thoroughly enjoys sharing her love of dance with children of all ages. As well as syllabus teaching she also choreographs dances for competitions and their trips to perform at Disneyland Paris.

Hannah has also choreographed multiple shows for companies including Oklahoma, Cats and Evita. More recently she has taken on the role of Choreographer for The Addams Family, Tommy and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Musicals at Playbox.

Cherelle started training at the age of two at her local dance school in Coventry. Whilst there, she obtained various BTDA exam grades for tap, ballet, acrobatics and modern.

After finishing school, Cherelle continued her passion for dance and attended college to study performing arts, specialising in dance and stage management and then continued to university.

After finishing education, Cherelle went to work as a dance and sports instructor where she went into many schools teaching dance and various sports.

Currently, Cherelle works full time as a PE coach in a school in Kenilworth and currently teaches Tap, Ballet, Acrobatics, Musical Theatre and Street/Commercial at Elite Dance Academy in Coventry.

Isabella James (Izzie) was a member of Stratford Playbox Theatre from 2005 – 2012. During her time at Playbox, Izzie was lucky enough to be involved in many productions, including six Christmas shows and a trip to The Edinburgh Fringe with Toby Quash’s ‘The Fallen,’ 

After her time as a Playbox member, Izzie completed the internship as part of her gap year, then becoming a full time staff member until 2016. 

Izzie has a degree in Arts Management from Birkbeck University. During her time as a student, Izzie developed her creative practice and ran workshops for a wide range of theatre companies – often returning back to Playbox for special projects. 

In 2020 she created her own company YoYoJoy, which delivers educational escape rooms in schools.

Owen trained at Playbox Theatre and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts graduating in 2007 where he received 1st class honours in BA Performance – Acting, as well as distinctions in stage combat and performance.

Owen joined Playbox Theatre at the age of 10 and, during his time with the company he appeared in many productions including playing title roles in Hamlet, Oedipus Rex and Don Quixote. Other Playbox productions included Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), The Boyfriend, Cabaret, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Clockwork Orange, Believers, Peter Pan (JM Barrie), Treasure Island, Beyond Beauty, Antigone, Henry IV parts 1 & 2, The Railway Children, and Winnie The Pooh (Eeyore). He was also involved in several USA tours to Santa Monica Playhouse.

​Recent acting credits include:  The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe (Birmingham Rep and West Yorkshire Playhouse); The Inn at Lydda (Shakespeare’s GLOBE); The Duchess Of Malfi (Southwark Playhouse); As You Like it; A Midsummer Nights Dream, An Enemy Of The People and 6 Characters In Search Of An Author (Aquila Theatre Company – OFF BROADWAY – New York); Chalk Walls (Dead Protest Theatre Company directed by Toby Quash @ RSC Summerhouse); Title role in Edward II (Eyestring’s Theatre Company); A Dolls House, The Duchess Of Malfi, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, and Richard II (Generator Theatre Company); Blood Wedding (Directed by Phil Wilmott), Picasso (starring Antonio Banderas).

​Owen currently acts and narrates for the Birmingham Royal Ballet in their First Steps programme, performing with a 60 piece orchestra and a full company of dancers in front of huge audiences, introducing ballet to a younger audience between the ages of 3-7 yrs. Birmingham Royal Ballet productions include Swan Lake, The Dream, Cinderella, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty and Aladdin.

​He is currently in rehearsal for Peter and the Wolf with Birmingham Royal Ballet.

​Radio and Voice over work includes The Nativity (BBC World Service) and narrating original children’s stories entitled Sir John The (Mostly) Brave and Cap’n John The (Slightly) Fierce for Oakhill Publishing LTD.

​Owen directs many workshops for Playbox including heading up several of our Warwick centres,  and numerous education workshops exploring stage combat, Shakespeare and contemporary works. 

Liam joined Playbox Theatre at the age of eight and during his time with the company he appeared in many productions, taking lead roles in: Skellig, The Jungle Book, James and the Giant Peach, Puss in Boots, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and the US tour of Monkey to Santa Monica Playhouse. He then went on to train at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) graduating in 2014 with first class honours. 

Liam has worked for the company for many years in different capacities and now heads up two new exciting training programmes, ‘Acting For Screen’ and ‘Fight Lab.’ Liam received his theatrical fight qualifications at Distinction level whilst at LAMDA from the BADC (British Academy of Dramatic Combat). He has choreographed fight sequences for stage and screen, his work as Fight Director for Playbox Theatre includes Peter Pan and The Three Musketeers. Liam was Fight Director for Playbox Theatre’s 2021 production of Hamlet.

I started my Playbox Theatre journey at age 9, attending sessions in Stratford-upon-Avon. Little did I know it was the beginning of decades of time within the Playbox Family.  

After many years of attendance, I began assisting my director, Emily, probably becoming the longest running Senior Assistant, as I just had too much fun!  I studied Early Years education alongside work at Playbox, and both were a great help to one another.  

 My many roles within the Playbox world began with working alongside directors during the preschool ‘Early Stagers’ programme. This then developed into my own role as an educational director, running sessions with several schools, as well as at The Dream Factory. I absolutely love bringing energy and magic to outside settings, giving them an insight into the wonderfully creative world of drama.  

This then developed into working within The Dream Factory as an Information Officer and supporting the facilitation of Playbox Parties – this role was fantastic and gave me the opportunity to meet lots of new people.   

I then took a break to continue my work in early years and education, and to have two wonderful children of my own. With my daughter, then aged 3, beginning her own Playbox Journey it was the perfect time to come back to The Dream Factory.  

I have now taken over the role as Head of Children’s Welfare and look forward to the exciting times ahead.  

Jess is delighted to be joining the Playbox team! Having been a member for most of her life, she has attended many workshops including: acting, musical theatre, circus and Shakespeare Young Company as well as travelling to the Santa Monica Playhouse for Playbox’s 2018 USA Tour. Jess has also worked as part of the technical team on several productions, including The Wizard Of Oz and Formula X.

Jess is currently in her 4th year studying medicine at Newcastle University and works for Playbox remotely.

Karenza has had many public-facing roles during her career. From working at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, communicating effectively with members of the public from all different backgrounds and experiences to leading nativity plays for 3-7-year-olds at Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

Karenza has a great love for the theatre and frequently attends professional and amateur dramatic productions. As Front of House Manager, she loves combining her two passions of working with people and the theatre.

When not working, Karenza can be found reading with a cup of tea or out walking, looking for the horses in her local park.

Heather claims she doesn’t work at Playbox, she “just has fun”. Knitting, sewing, embroidering and the like since childhood, she can’t draw, can’t make a costume from the creative’s sketches. (give her a pre-printed pattern, pattern, she’ll have a go), but she enjoys turning directors’ ideas for masks into reality, running up toile skirts for flatware with not a lot of time to curtain up, turning chocolate gateaux into Christmas cakes, making the most outrageous wedding veils for evil step-mamas, sausages from old tights and shredded paper, attempting to keep the ‘Narnias’ (the name of our Wardrobe Department) tidy, the props in good nick and the costumes clean and repaired. In other words, she gets to let her slightly batty sense of artistic creative humour run riot AND she gets to clean and tidy! What more could a girl want?

She believes every cloud has a silver lining and rainbows of every variant are special, sometimes magical. She knows she’s the luckiest wardrobe mistress in the world. Here in The Dream Factory, during the urghs of lockdown, was born New Narnia, which Heather knows knocks the socks off any other theatre wardrobe space. Oh – and sometimes she bakes cakes.

Carol has worked for Playbox since April 2000, just a year after Playbox opened The Dream Factory. She started as an Information Officer and is now responsible for distributing Playbox Theatre’s literature to schools, shops, hotels, leisure centres and libraries throughout Warwickshire and the West Midlands. Carol loves working for Playbox and hopes to continue to do so for a few more years yet!

I am delighted to be joining the Playbox Team as my own children (now 21 and 24) gained so much fun from their many years at Playbox, developing confidence alongside unique circus skills such as tightrope walking, aerial hoop, diablo and juggling. I previously helped out as Chaperone where I loved seeing back stage excitement during shows. It reminded me of the fun I had as a child playing the role of the Wicked Witch in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the Guide Pantomime! My acting career ended at this stage but I continue to love singing with Forte Choir.

I recently took early retirement from teaching and am now enjoying working at the RSC alongside my role as Duty Manager at Playbox. I believe that the creative arts play a vital role in society, supporting our well-being and helping us to see the world from different perspectives. 

I have been in and out of Playbox’s Dream Factory for well over a decade now, ever since my daughter started sessions aged 4. It has proved to be a wonderful experience, opening my eyes to the magic of theatre. Helping backstage as a chaperone has given me many opportunities to witness the infectious enthusiasm, co-operation, dedication and talent of the children and their directors in the production of drama.
Graduating in fine art at the dawn of computer age, I found myself pulled into graphic design, desktop publishing and subsequently to web development. Being a part of the Playbox team allows me a much needed break from coding to welcome families into the encouraging world of theatre where children can thrive and gain confidence through self-expression.

I am a mum of two teenagers and both my children have been Playbox members over the years, and my daughter currently attends classes in Warwick. 

I have a professional background in publishing and communications and believe in the power of words to express human emotions, inspire, and make a difference in the world. Likewise I see theatre as another form of creative expression which can make a positive difference to those who create, perform and watch performances.  I’m absolutely delighted to support the fantastic work of Playbox Theatre through my role here as Duty Manager.