Alan has been a professional musician and musical director since his late teens, working it in alongside his other career as a teacher and headteacher. After studying conducting, piano, bassoon and singing at the Royal College of Music in London, he has performed with and conducted professional, youth and amateur orchestras, musically directed choirs and musical theatre and has acted in many plays and shows.

Marie has been running theatre groups and workshops, acting in and directing performances professionally for more than 10 years - notably in schools and at the Barnfield Theatre with Green Banana Drama. You can find Marie at Honiton Beehive Centre and in Exeter at Theatre Kidz. She regularly performs in Devon with various theatre companies including Quirk Theatre.

Fiona runs her own Dance Studio, The Marisa Wood School of Dance at Falster Studios, where she has been teaching children and adults various types of dance since graduating from the London College of Dance in 1989. Fiona specialises in Cecchetti Classical Ballet as well as being an ISTD Modern Theatre and Tap Dance Teacher.

Pete has been buildings sets, making props and running lighting shows locally for over 30 years. He has worked with a number of local theatre groups, most often the Uncommon Players and Bradninch Players. He is a member of the Bradninch Red Barrows display team. Pete has developed lighting designs and lit the last 6 or 7 ACTiv8 shows and has recently taken on the design and build of the set! 

Genevieve has been a piano teacher for the last 10 years, leaving behind a career in finance to return to her first love. She joined ACTiv8 as Treasurer when her daughter fell in love with ACTiv8. She fundraises to support the shows and runs the sound cues for the performances. She also helps with costumes and rehearsals.

Corinne sources, makes the smaller props and manages all the props and set changes for the shows. She has performed and choregraphed the local pantos for the last four years and is a member of Voiceworx choir. Corinne joined the ACTiv8 team shortly after the launch and kindly helps the team out at rehearsals as well as helping set up for the shows.

Niki was a Primary School Teacher for over 25 years with a passion for the arts. She directed the annual Nativity, giving each child the chance to shine in their own unique way. She has performed as part of the Kentisbeare Players and a member of Voiceworx choir. She is a qualified chaperone and supervises the children during rehearsals and backstage during the shows. She also sources, makes and organises costumes.

Gemma was a member of ACTiv8 Theatre herself, having several leading roles. Now she is back helping with all aspects of show making from coaching, acting and singing to leading warm ups and helping back stage with costumes and make up! 

Al has been interested in acting since the tender age of seven and he's still involving himself in theatre wherever he can find it.  Al is particularly excited to be a part of Activ8, as it focuses on musical theatre; the very same genre Al started in, when he first got into acting.  Al finds it wonderful to be a part of a company that's not only equally as enthusiastic about theatre as he is, but that's also so accessible and encouraging towards the next generation of budding actors!

TBC

Maria has been our resident photographer and graphic designer since the early days of ACTiv8. She loves capturing the characters of the children both on and off-stage. She produces all our colourful programmes and posters, and manages the social media advertising our shows.