Staff
Esther Baker
Artistic Director
Esther co-founded Synergy in 2000 having received a Butler Trust Development Award. She directs Synergy’s productions and has also worked for at the National Theatre Studio, Young Vic, Royal Court Theatre and in the West End.
Jennie McClure
General Manager
Jennie has worked for organisations ranging from community arts, arts development agencies and touring theatre companies including Tara Arts and the David Glass Ensemble.
Jessica Draper
Head of Learning & Engagement
Jessica has designed and produced creative learning programmes in the charitable and cultural sectors, most recently at Crisis UK, where she led on the strategic development of the learning and skills programme. She has also read for theatre and film and worked on productions for BBC1, BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4.
Neil Grutchfield
New Writing Manager
Neil is a freelance dramaturg and script reader and has been working in or for new writing theatres and theatre companies for the last 16 years. He was the Literary Manager at Hampstead Theatre from 2008 to 2010.
Hazel East
Development Manager
Hazel has worked in development for a diverse range of organisations, joining Synergy from The Who Cares? Trust. In 2013 she co-founded Knots Arts, a social enterprise supporting children with autism and is also Chair of Trustees for The Squad Club in South London.
Denise Heard
Learning & Engagement Manager
Prior to Synergy, Denise designed and led a creative opportunities programme for emerging artists at the University of the Arts London. A trained theatre designer, Denise has designed for a range of theatres and creative organisations including Big Foot Theatre Company, the British Museum, Creative Partnerships, the Arcola Theatre and the Criterion Theatre.
Karl Smith
Synergy Studio Assistant
Karl began working with Synergy in 2009. Having been involved within the criminal justice system for his entire adult life, Karl first participated in one of our productions in prison. He has since worked for Synergy as a workshop facilitator, assistant stage manager and actor. Karl joins the team to support Synergy Studio, bringing a wealth of experience with him!
Trustees
Jules Carey
Jules is a partner at Bindmans LLP and Head of Police Misconduct team. He is a leading individual in both Civil Liberties and Police Law and past winner of JUSTICE Human Rights Lawyer of the Year.
Catherine Thornborrow
Catherine is General Manager at the Royal Court where she has worked since 2011. She has had an extensive career in Theatre and General Management over the past 20 years working at Soho Theatre, Arcola Theatre, The Young Vic, BAC and the Mermaid Theatre.
Jonathan Smith
Jonathan is a qualified accountant with over 15 years experience working in public sector finance and currently works in Westminster. He has been involved with several charities over the past 10 years as a trustee or treasurer.
John Mason
John is a Therapeutic Counsellor and a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists. He has worked with several leading addiction treatment services and has strong links with Synergy that go back more than a decade.
Patron
Martin McDonagh
Martin is a multi-award winning playwright, screenwriter and filmmaker. His most recent work includes Seven Pyschopaths, In Bruges, A Behanding in Spokane and The Pillowman.