Youth Advisory Board

Dipo Baruwa-Etti is a playwright, poet, and film programmer. His shorts plays include The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars (The Mono Box/Old Vic Workrooms; further developed with the support of The Yard Theatre), A Prince (Little Pieces of Gold/Southwark Playhouse), and Ballad of a Negro (Pennyworth Productions/Arcola Theatre). He is Royal Court alumnus, was shortlisted for Hampstead Theatre’s Next Playwright Programme 2017 and BBC Drama Room 2018, and is currently on the Tamasha Playwrights scheme. As a poet, his work has been published in Amaryllis and showcased as part of End Hunger UK's nationwide touring exhibition between June and October 2018. He is also a Young Programmer at the Barbican and co-curated Chronic Youth Film Festival 2018.

Simeon is an actor and writer originally from Coventry, West Midlands now living in London. He is a member of the National Youth Theatre; alumnus of the Actors Class, London, and graduate of Alt Actor Training, London, having completed training there December 2017. He has worked with the Almeida Theatre since 2017, joining them on their Edinburgh Fringe production of From the Ground Up following its success at Shoreditch Town Hall the year before. Simeon went on to continue with the theatre as part of its Young Company, performing in their production of Cacophony, devised by the company and written by Molly Taylor. Most recently, Simeon has performed with Talawa Theatre Company in their production Run It Back as part of their annual initiative for young theatre practitioners, TYPT.

Having been involved with the Almeida for the last two years, Simeon found himself wishing to continue engagement with the theatre. Whilst performing there, an interest in what happens behind the scenes; the strategic side of the building and learning more about how a theatre is run, developed. The Almeida Youth Board was the perfect opportunity to explore just this.

Simeon is very excited to see what positive change at the Almeida may happen during his time as a board member.

Acting credits include: Herons (Arcola Theatre); The Fall (Finborough Theatre); From the Ground Up (Almeida Theatre); Our Tower (Arcola Theatre); The Storm (Theatre503); Homecoming (Theatre503); Cacophony (Almeida Theatre); Run It Back (Hackney Showroom); The Fence (Short Film).

Writing Credits include: Empty (Lyric Hammersmith); Homecoming (Theatre503); What Lies Beneath (for the National Youth Theatre)

Liz is a theatre producer with the core aim to champion more women of colour in theatre, on and off stage. She is currently supported by the Stage One Bursary for Commercial Producers and RTYDS' Artistic Director Leadership Programme. As a Freelance producer, she co-produced the UK Premiere of Pete 'n' Keely (Tristan Bates Theatre) and Blown Youth (New Wimbledon Studio Theatre) while also developing new writing, including adaptation of The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (New Diorama Theatre) and brand new plays currently in development by womxn of colour from across the UK.

Chloe currently works in HR within one of the best providers of supported housing in London. Prior to working in HR Chloe studied Psychology and Drama at University. Chloe's original involvement in theatre started as an actress, however she then became interested in theatre outreach and participation and how theatre can have a positive impact on young people.

Emma is currently a Production Assistant at Playful Productions. She has previously worked for the Society of London Theatre and as the Stage One Trainee Producer at English Touring Theatre. She has also worked independently as a producer with Flute Theatre in London and internationally, creating productions of Shakespeare for audiences that include young people with autism. She graduated from University College London in 2016 with a degree in Philosophy.

Kripa holds a BA (Hons) in English Literature and Drama from Queen Mary University of London. She has worked in Development at the National Theatre for three years. She's passionate about BAME representation in the arts, accessibility, and new work. Before devoting herself full time to the performing arts, she worked for the Embassy of Nepal on the Earthquake relief efforts in 2015. When not at the office, she can be found exploring the arts and culture scene in different cities across the UK and Europe, or engrossed in a book somewhere in London.

Aaron is currently working as Senior Marketing Executive at The Stage, working across all its products and awards. Previously He helped set up The Other Room Theatre in Cardiff, and has worked for a number of arts venues and events including the New Theatre and Welsh Proms.

Sarisha is a graduate of Royal Holloway University where she studied Drama and Theatre Studies. She is the Programme Coordinator - New Talent and Fundraising at Poet in the City, an arts charity that brings poetry to life beyond books. Sarisha manages the Poet in the City Producers scheme for 16-25 year olds and other youth participation and emerging talent including setting up a Youth Advisory Board for the organisation, Primary Schools projects and family programming. She creates fundraising and corporate sponsorship events and supports the artistic programme. Sarisha is passionate about youth voice and increasing access to the arts, she is an Associate Advisor for The RISE Collective, a charity that inspires young people to amplify their voices and determine their own futures through creativity.