TURTLE KEY ARTS FULL STAFF LIST:
ALISON KING – Chief Executive
Contact regarding: Production, Touring, Finance, Staffing, Strategy
Alison is the Chief Executive of Turtle Key Arts, a performance arts company that devices and produces original work with a particular emphasis on making art available to all. She has been running the company with Charlotte Cunningham, the Artistic Director, for over twenty-five years, in which time, it has made a significant impact on the arts nationally and internationally.
She is an award-winning theatre and film producer and has produced many great artists and companies, currently Turtle Key Arts are working with Ockham’s Razor, Amici Dance Theatre company, AIK Productions, Open Sky Productions and Sadiq Ali, all of which have created critically acclaimed impactful shows that tour nationally and internationally.
Turtle Key Arts have been at the forefront of developing and delivering inclusive outreach and participation projects in the fields of dementia, autism, HIV and dyslexia - working regularly in partnership with organisations including Reading, Durham and Oxford University, Wigmore Hall, English Touring Opera, Royal College of Music, National Portrait Gallery, Lyric Hammersmith and many venues world-wide.
Alison graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in 1992 in Stage Management, Technical Theatre and Design. She initially worked as a freelance Stage Manager and Production Manager before joining Turtle Key Arts. Alison is currently the Chair of The National Centre for Circus Arts and was the Chair of The Independent Theatre Council from 2017-2022. Alison is also Chair of Mime London and Open Sky’s advisory boards. She is a published author on Stage Management and Production, and lectures at Universities and colleges, across the UK, specialising in Producing, business planning, company and stage management, creative thinking, project pitching, fundraising and writing funding applications.
Alison is delighted to have been awarded an honorary doctorate from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and UEA for her work and contribution to theatre.
CHARLOTTE CUNNINGHAM – Artistic Director
Contact regarding: Production, Participation and Education, Fundraising
Charlotte Cunningham is a creative producer who founded Turtle Key Arts as a performance venue and production company in 1989. Since then she has produced a number of theatre and dance productions with a strong emphasis on physical theatre, dance and devised work. She has worked with writers, directors, choreographers, composers and designers to bring together projects for adults and children. With Turtle Key, she has also consistently devised groundbreaking education and participation projects with the aim of making the arts accessible to all and focusing on high quality provision for groups who do not have access to this kind of work. This includes projects aimed at children and young people on the autism spectrum, young people living with HIV, children with dyslexia, interfaith projects and a national project for people with Dementia - the Turtle Song project in association with the English Touring Opera and the Royal College of Music which has run since 2007. Charlotte also acts as a lecturer, trainer and consultant to organisations interested in using the arts to work with specific groups.
SHAUN DAWSON – Marketing and Development Director
Contact regarding: Production, Marketing, Website, Advertising, Press
ALAN BOWYER – Finance Manager
Contact regarding: all financial matters, office management, fundraising management
CARINA SIMÕES – Producer
Contact regarding: Production, Internships, Participation and Education
RUTH NAYLOR SMITH – Key Club Co-ordinator
Contact regarding: Key Club
CERI BLACK - Autism Development Director
Contact regarding: Autism Projects
NIAHM HANNS - Project and Office Administrator
Contact regarding: General Administration
OTHER TEAM MEMBERS:
SABINA NETHERCLIFT – Key Club Facilitation
JON PETTER - Composer - Turtle Song
