Amanda Watkinson

Amanda Watkinson facilitates the Blue Apple Dancers on Tuesdays and has choreographed for several Blue Apple Stage Company performances at Theatre Royal Winchester. She graduated in Choreography and Dance from the University of Winchester in 2015, where she also trained in the US as part of a study abroad programme. Amanda is passionate about teaching dance in the community, focusing on sessions that support wellbeing for people with physical and learning disabilities. Alongside freelancing, she is the CEO of Move Momentum, a local charity offering dance classes for young people, over-65s, and wheelchair users. Amanda teaches contemporary and street dance and enjoys seeing how dance benefits diverse groups. "I enjoy working with Blue Apple and have seen many of the performers not only improve their dancing but also develop other transferable skills such as their communication, resilience and confidence."

Gail Oakley

Gail Oakley facilitates the drama group in partnership with the QE2 Activity Centre. With over 20 years of experience, she graduated from the University of East Anglia with a degree in English and Drama and went on to teach GCSE and A-level Drama in local schools. Gail has also provided LAMDA tuition, supply teaching, and workshops for primary and secondary pupils.

Now a freelance theatre practitioner, she has worked with The Kings Theatre Arts Academy, Stage Coach, The Young Creatives, and Red Sauce Inclusive Theatre Company. Gail also directs for “Pamodzi Creatives” and runs Sunshine Productions for adults with SEND at The Ashcroft Arts Centre.

Gail believes strongly in the empowerment of storytelling. She is passionate about the importance of the role of theatre within communities and feels that everyone should be able to access it.

Nick Duncombe

Nick Duncombe facilitates the Blue Apple Singers.

She qualified as a teacher with a BEd in music in 1998 and taught in primary schools before joining Hampshire Music Service. Initially teaching class music and vocal ensembles, Nick has focused solely on singing for over a decade. She now leads a team of vocal teachers, organises training, and coordinates large-scale events and festivals, collaborating with agencies like the BBC Singers. Nick also teaches singing to around 120 students each week and runs the Hampshire County Junior Choir, the Hampshire Teachers Choir, and a workplace choir for county council colleagues.

Emily Skeldon

Emily facilitates the Young Company Online Performing Arts on Saturdays. She holds a First-Class BA honours degree in Drama from Liverpool Hope University.

An experienced Creative Practitioner, Emily specialises in drama for people with learning disabilities and is passionate about using theatre as a tool for empowerment, giving a voice to those who might not otherwise be heard. Inspired by playwright John Godber’s vision of theatre as social change, she champions inclusivity.

Emily also founded ‘In My Shoes Theatre Group,’ an inclusive company for young adults with learning disabilities, dedicated to creating work that promotes diversity, acceptance, and inclusivity.

Charlie Teschner

Charlie facilitates sessions for The Minstead Trust at Hanger Farm Arts Centre. A multi-disciplinary practitioner, actor, and vocalist with experience in stage and screen, Charlie specialises in Jazz, Pop, Musical Theatre, and vocal technique for singers and actors.

Charlie holds a UWLQ 5 Diploma in Music Theatre and a First-Class BA (Hons) in Drama and English Literature from the University of Winchester, where she developed a passion for physical theatre and voice work. She regularly performs as a jazz singer and teaches through her company, Free Flow Studios. Charlie began volunteering with Blue Apple at university and has continued working with them, advocating for artistic expression and authentic voice.

‘It is powerful to watch a Blue Apple performance and a pleasure to witness the wider skills that unfold through the creative process'.

Kieran Jones-Gill

Kieran facilitates sessions in the Basingstoke area.

Kieran is an actor, facilitator and teacher, with a degree in Acting and Performance from UCA Farnham, and screen and stage combat. 

Since graduating Kieran has toured all over the UK and Turkiye, delivering fantastic shows to people of all ages. He has a passion for making theatre accessible and believes in a holistic approach to acting that uses all kinds of acting styles to mould acting to the performer, turning anyone into a successful performer whatever their goal is. Kieran views performing arts as a big experiment, valuing play above anything else, embracing it when things don't work. He also enjoys using theatre for social change and is currently creating a play about the science behind mental health.

Bonner Cockayne

Bonner facilitates our Southampton youth theatre sessions at MAST Mayflower Studios in partnership with Mayflower Engage.

He also runs Branching Out at Forest Forge Theatre Company with whom we work in collaboration.

Bonner is a joyful, outgoing young man who honed his skills through Forest Forge Theatre Company in playful chaos expanding his knowledge through growth. He is passionate about ensemble theatre and getting people moving. Outside of theatre Bonner worked as a learning support assistant for many years before becoming a facilitator.

Lily Coull

Lily facilitates our Chestnut Theatre adult performing arts sessions in Maybush, Southampton and our youth sessions at Oak Lodge School in Dibden Purlieu.

Lily is a facilitator and performer; having thrived in her local youth theatre, she is passionate and keen to spread her love for performing arts to others, showcasing its importance for confidence building and for having fun! She works with Oomph Theatre, creating, performing and producing productions for those who don’t have access to theatre. Lily’s degree is in Film Production and Cinematography and she regularly works on creating social media content as a videographer. She enjoys working with both young people and adults creating and devising work in a collaborative process.

Olivia Murphy

Olivia Murphy is one of our freelance facilitators. She is currently on maternity leave.

She is a highly skilled and experienced teacher with 15 years of experience working in secondary schools, youth theatres and community settings.  Three years ago Olivia began her own freelance work and currently delivers workshops to adults with learning disabilities, play reading groups, adult acting classes as well as drama workshops to children and young people. She works with a range of theatre companies and organisations across Hampshire and Dorset.

After her degree in Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Surrey, Roehampton, Olivia trained as an actor at the London Academy of Performing Arts.  Olivia is an actor with acting work in TIE productions, theatre, independent film and commercials.