Kathryn Penton: Artistic Director

Kathryn began her career as a primary teacher after completing her drama degree with Qualified Teacher Status at the University of Warwick in 1999. Kathryn performed in amateur theatre for nearly twenty years before turning professional. She has been nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress in the N.O.D.A. and Manchester Musical Awards, and won the Award for Best Director at the Hale One Act Play Festival in 2009. Kathryn set up 2 Boards & A Passion professional theatre company with Colin in August 2007 and wrote her first play in 2009 which enjoyed great success at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2009. Kathryn was also the junior tutor and workshops co-ordinator at the Next Generation Youth Theatre in Mossley from 2007 to 2010.

Colin CGN Ward: Artistic Director

Colin has been a performing arts practitioner for the last 30 years. His experience spans from playing in rock groups and singing backing vocals on the Sad Café hit ‘Everyday Hurts’ to appearing in ‘Coronation Street’, ‘Brookside’ and ‘A Touch of Frost’ to name just a few. Colin has taught Performing Arts for over twenty years in schools, colleges and Youth Theatres around Greater Manchester. From 1996 until 2010 he was the artistic director of the highly successful Next Generation Youth Theatre in Mossley. Over the past ten years he has plied his trade as a successful professional Actor/Writer/Director and Facilitator, and set up 2 Boards & A Passion with Kathryn in 2007.

Professor Jonothan Neelands: Patron

YOUtheatreUK are delighted to have Professor Jonothan Neelands as our patron. Professor Neelands is the author of several texts for teachers and students which have influenced the development of drama in recent years including Structuring Drama Work, Beginning Drama 11-14, Key Shakespeare 1 and 2 and Drama and Theatre Studies at A/S and A level. He is also the co-author of the National Association of Youth Theatres' Excellence and Inclusion in Youth Theatre documents, launched in February 2010.