WHO WE ARE
Theatre Témoin is a South East-based physical theatre company that creates socially relevant, visually compelling theatre to amplify marginalised voices. We are a professional arts charity with a unique aesthetic and a global focus, touring critically acclaimed national and international work. Our process is governed by transformation: transforming ourselves, the communities we engage, our audiences, our industry and sector-level decision makers. We delight in shared spectacle, seeking to stir audiences into action.
The company was founded in Toulouse in 2007 by a graduate ensemble trained in Lecoq Pedagogy. Our first project, Borderline, was a farcical look at the bureaucracy of the French immigration system. The cast was concurrently working at the CIMADE – an organisation that provides legal counsel for undocumented immigrants and their families – and it was this work that gave the piece most of its vitality, depth, and relevance. Borderline showed the importance – not just socially, but artistically – of dialoguing and collaborating with the communities around us. In 2010 we moved our base back to the UK and have since produced projects in the UK, USA, Mexico, Rwanda, India, Israel, and Lebanon.
Our Mission
1
To create visually stunning, formally innovative, and well-researched theatre which creates change because it is visceral and personal, not because it is didactic. Our theatre is a space to share our questions, not to propound our messages – we strive to create work that is engaging, moving, and fun.
2
To increase access to theatre as a means of self-expression, in areas and communities where it may not be readily available – through co-creation, workshops, and performances – and to document the work produced, so that it can reach a greater audience.
3
To work with a diverse range of people, companies, and communities and strive to continually embrace new collaborators with under-told stories so that the theatre we create reflects the world which creates us.
Abbie Willcox
Executive Director and CEO
Abbie is a freelance Creative Producer and self-producing Artist. She joined Témoin in 2019 following over 10 years’ management experience at leading venues including The Lowry and Contact. Abbie is responsible for producing award-winning work with young people and managing flagship partnerships with National Theatre, Sadler’s Wells and Royal Shakespeare Company. Abbie has worked extensively across the UK to provide marginalised voices with access to creative opportunities and has demonstrable experience devising new work through socially engaged practice. As a neurodiverse artist, Abbie is passionate about nurturing creative talent and overcoming barriers to bring daring works of theatre to new audiences.
Ailin Conant
Founding Artistic Director
Ailin is a Japanese-American director with a passion for creating new works of theatre that engage audiences with untold and under-told stories in a visual, visceral way. Ailin left Témoin at the start of 2024 to become Artistic Director of New Earth Theatre. Ailin has worked freelance for various companies including The RSC, The Bush Theatre , New Earth, Theatre503, Ayyam Al-Masrah (Gaza), Clown Me In (Mexico), Kansas City Rep (USA), The Catalyst (Switzerland), Satellite Théâtre (Montreal), The Playhouse (Northern Ireland). Ailin is passionate about working for a more inclusive future for our industry, and is on the board of SDUK, DCF, and Inc Arts; is a delegate member of ADF, and a core member of Migrants in Theatre.
Adam McGuigan
Associate Director
Adam is currently directing FLOOD and led the engagement programme for ROUTES. Adam is also Artistic Director at ‘Wake The Beast’ a company working with MacMillan and the NHS Whittington Hospital on ‘The C Factor’ a creative series of storytelling sessions for people dealing with a cancer diagnosis; Former Artistic Director at SpareParts Festival, the UK’s only Arts Festival dedicated to transport, travel and motion; and Founding Artistic Director of Barefeet Theatre Zambia, which won an international reputation for large scale site specific work, international collaboration, extraordinary community participation and festivals which work with thousands of young people living on the streets, with a disability or young people from a refugee background. Adam has also worked extensively as a director and participation lead at Hope Street Ltd., Liverpool, and Contact Theatre, Manchester.
Karen Parry
Finance and Administration Officer
Karen was General Manager for Action Transport Theatre, a young people's theatre company and Arts Council National Portfolio organisation for over 15 years and had sole responsibility for financial accounting. Karen recently started working on a self-employed basis, as a freelance business associate, supporting various arts organisations including Adverse Camber Productions in Derbyshire and Joss Arnott Dance based in Yorkshire.
Bec Britain
Fundraising and Development Consultant
Over 25 years, Bec has produced projects across many genres, including visual art, dance, music, theatre, and outdoor arts. She is passionate about the power of creativity as a vehicle for social change, improving people’s lives and wellbeing, with a focus on creative education programmes, co-developed programmes to improve wellbeing, community engagement, particularly with marginalised or underserved communities and evaluation evidencing the impact of creative programming. As a fundraiser, Bec works with organisations to identify new income streams and funding opportunities, informing strategy and supporting applications. She develops individual giving programmes, including membership schemes, crowdfunding campaigns and bespoke fundraising events. Bec is also a visual artist focussed on 3D making. Her work includes large-scale lanterns, effigies and installations for outdoor events, bookbinding and ceramics.