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.
Siân Henderson
Learning & Engagement Manager (Young People)
Siân has previously worked in Young People and Community focused roles for Bristol Old Vic, Greenwich+Docklands International Festival, Diverse City and The Irene Taylor Trust.
Denise Heard
Learning & Engagement Manager (Adults)
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.
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 19 years including Oval House, the Royal Court Theatre, Soho Theatre, Talawa Theatre and Theatre503. He was the Literary Manager at Hampstead Theatre from 2008 to 2010.
Karl Smith
Learning & Engagement 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!
JO COTTRELL
Development Associate
Jo is a freelance arts manager and fundraiser with over 25 years experience of working in both the cultural and education sectors. Previous clients include the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Soho Theatre, and Birmingham REP. She is also a postgraduate research student at Birkbeck.
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.
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.
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, Arcola, Young Vic and Mermaid Theatres and BAC.
Paula Hamilton
Clióna Roberts
Deborah Samuel
Gaby Sumner
Patron
Martin McDonagh
Martin is a multi-award winning playwright, screenwriter and filmmaker. His most recent work includes Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Seven Psychopaths, In Bruges, A Very Very Very Dark Matter, Hangmen, A Behanding in Spokane and The Pillowman.
