Corinne Kilvington
Corinne Kilvington is Artistic Director and founder of Theatre Space North East (TSNE), a Sunderland-based Community Interest Company dedicated to making theatre accessible, inclusive, and deeply rooted in the communities it serves. A graduate in Drama from Northumbria University, she has further honed her practice working with the National Theatre’s Connections Programme and the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she served as a Director Mentor for the Playmaking Festival. She is currently part of the first ever cohort of the CLORE Leading Social Change programme, with The Gradel Institute of Charity, New College, Oxford, having already completed a short CLORE social leadership programme. This exciting training is shaping her vision as a leader in the arts, and the wider work of the third sector.
Corinne’s directorial work blends bold reinterpretations of classic texts with immersive, site-responsive theatre, as well as working with communities to share their stories in a dynamic and accessible way. Her recent acclaimed productions include Titus Andronicus, reimagined for the digital age, exploring augmented reality, ethics, and identity, and The Taming of the Shrew, set in a glossy, “insta-perfect” world critiquing beauty standards and performative masculinity. Both were praised for their innovation, relevance, and respect for Shakespeare’s originals.
Under her leadership, TSNE has grown into a nationally recognised company, winning Theatre Company of the Year (NPO) at the North England Prestige Awards. She brings world-class practices to the North East, challenging the London-centric focus of UK theatre, while championing collaboration, accessibility, and wellbeing, particularly for marginalised communities.
Her lived experience of chronic pain (fibromyalgia and endometriosis) informs her compassionate and pragmatic approach to work and management. Outside the rehearsal room, Corinne enjoys travelling in her caravan, time with her dog Bailey Ray, and, famously, a good snack.
Meet the team
Jamie Brown
Jamie Brown is a seasoned theatre maker and actor from Gateshead, known for his powerful performances in regional drama and Shakespearean classics.
Jamie Brown, born and based in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, is a distinguished actor and theatre practitioner with over 18 years of professional experience. A graduate of Bretton Hall, Jamie earned a First-Class Honours BA in Acting, laying the foundation for a career marked by versatility and depth, often with cultural resonance.
His acting credits include acclaimed roles in When the Boat Comes In, Hadaway Harry, and The Man and the Donkey—productions that celebrate North East heritage and working-class narratives. As a director, Jamie has helmed impactful regional works such as Bobby Robson Saved My Life and Geordie The Musical as well as regional tours such as The Girl in The Machine. Along the way he has earned the accolade Performing Artist of the Year at the North East Culture Awards, as well as recognition from North-East Theatre Guide, Buxton Fringe, and WOW 24/7.
Jamie is a proud company director of 1623 theatre company and Theatre Space North East.
Jamie is also a passionate Shakespearean specialist having portrayed iconic roles including Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo, Julius Caesar and more. His UK tours have featured productions of Othello, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, and Romeo and Juliet.
Beyond the stage, Jamie is a committed educator. He regularly has often directed for the Shakespeare Schools Festival and been and associate with Project A, the actor training programme at Theatre Royal Newcastle. In 2020, he was honoured with an ‘Inspirational Educator Award’ by the Worshipful Company of Educators, recognizing his excellence in teaching Shakespeare in challenging settings.
As a writer, Jamie has had over 10 feature-length scripts professionally produced including seasonal family shows with Theatre Space North East, and commissioned projects with organisations such as The Environment Agency, Flippin’ Pain, Teesside University, Northumbria University, and many more.
He is also a published novelist (under the pen-name A.J. Brown), with debut novel The Panaceum, having been released in 2023. He has also gained notoriety as a writer of folk-inspired songs whose content has been discussed and published in reference to local history of Tyneside.
Jamie’s work is defined by a deep connection to place, language, and community. Whether performing, directing, or mentoring, he brings a distinctive voice rooted in the North East’s cultural identity and a profound respect for classical and contemporary theatre.
Ruth Hardy
Ruth Hardy is Finance Manager at Theatre Space North East, where she also leads on fundraising and development. With more than 25 years of experience in administration and accounts, she brings a wealth of financial expertise and practical knowledge to the organisation. Professionally qualified to Level 4 Professional Diploma in Accounting with a background in Business Administration, Ruth is currently looking forward to expanding her professional development through further training.
Before joining TSNE, Ruth worked across a diverse range of sectors, from public sector, construction, commercial and business support, but enjoyed most her not for profit work, including with an adoption charity, Groundwork (an environmental charity) and many others in a voluntary capacity. This breadth of experience has given her a strong grounding in managing complex budgets, ensuring compliance, and building financial resilience across different organisational contexts.
At TSNE, Ruth has combined her professional skills with a passion for creativity. She is proud to have developed new collaborations with voluntary sector organisations, strengthening the company’s community impact, and enjoys contributing ideas to the design and delivery of new projects. Her approach to finance is detail-driven and meticulous—colleagues know her well for her relentless pursuit of receipts—but always underpinned by a collaborative spirit that ensures the finance function supports artistic ambition.
Ruth is passionate about ensuring that arts organisations like TSNE are not only financially sustainable but also able to thrive through innovation and community connection. Outside of work, she loves animals, enjoys sea swimming, follows football, is passionate about the environment and quality food choices, loves being with children and allowing them to express themselves creatively. She recently enjoyed being part of a community theatre project where her passion for writing was reignited and was even persuaded to take to the stage.
Sarah Simpson
Sarah Simpson is the Community Engagement & Education Lead at Theatre Space North East (TSNE), where she leads innovative education projects and community programmes that bring theatre, storytelling and Shakespeare into schools and young people’s lives across the North East.
Sarah studied English Literature and Theatre Studies at Leeds University and went on to complete a PGCE in English at Durham University in 2015. More recently, she earned a Master’s degree in Shakespeare and Education from the University of Birmingham taught in partnership with the Shakespeare Institute and the RSC which strengthened her ability to use active rehearsal-room strategies in teaching and reinforced her belief that Shakespeare is “not of an age, but for all time.”
She began her career at Nunthorpe Academy teaching English and Drama. In 2017 she moved to Cundall Manor School in North Yorkshire, progressing through roles including Teacher of English, Acting Head of English, and then Head of Seniors. Over her teaching career she has a consistently high track record of excellent results at GCSE with positive value added scores for both English Literature and English Language. She is also an exam marker for AQA English Literature GCSE so is very familiar with the exam requirements allowing her to weave exam insight into her workshops with schools, supporting teachers in their delivery of the curriculum.
At TSNE, Sarah is passionate about projects like the upcoming Wraparound Shakespeare, which offers free active-learning workshops in Sunderland schools, and the Youth Theatre, where she has expanded membership and supported young performers to stage productions at the Royalty Theatre. Pastoral care is often at the centre of her work and her approach is nurturing and caring, but she sets high standards and has high expectations of the pupils that she works with, encouraging young people to reach their full potential.
Originally from Middlesbrough, Sarah is a new mum to her daughter Nora. Outside work she loves swimming in the sea (often at Runswick Bay), is passionate about astronomy (she’s volunteered at Kielder Observatory), and enjoys spending time exploring the night sky.
Rebecca McClelland
Rebecca is an actor, facilitator and singer from Middlesbrough.
The taming of the shrew is Rebecca's fourth show with theatre space after playing Rosalind in As You Like It last summer and touring both of theatre space's TIE shows, Josh Green and Why Queue, for two years running. Due to all the touring, Rebecca is currently insured on the Theatre Space van. So, if you see the theatre space van out and about, that will be Rebecca at the helm.... but if you see it mounting curbs and bumping onto lampposts..... no you didn't......
Other projects include The Lipsticks (Charm Productions), Public Record (Public Acts), Act (Boiling Point Theatre), Defeat the Cracken (Theatre Hullabaloo).
