Meet The Team | The Gap

Core Team

Director - Ceri Townsend

Since founding the organisation in 2009 I’ve continued to mentor the core team at The GAP, but these days, in truth, it’s usually me learning from them and I often struggle to keep up.

I am lucky to have worked in the arts with and for young people, both here and abroad, ever since I was one myself. I’ve directed and written plays for them, designed theatre-in-education, delivered arts projects and festivals, taught them drama and illustrated picture books.

Facilitating young people’s creative development is My Thing. It’s my privilege to witness on a daily basis the capacity of all kinds of young people for creating meaningful art and culture of the highest quality and significance for the wider community. I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather work.

Programme Director - Ella Marshall

Having experienced the benefits of The GAP’s work myself as a young participant for several years, I’m now committed to developing further transformative cultural learning experiences that other young people can benefit from. I first joined the core team in 2016 as project manager on Beyond Borders, and since then I’ve been involved in whole host of projects working as an exhibition curator, event producer, programmer, creative workshop facilitator, set designer, community story researcher, venue manager, and more.

One of the biggest joys of working at The GAP for me is holding space for people to come together to share ideas, develop skills and build community. I’m really fascinated by the lesser-heard histories of people and places, and the role that art can play in connecting us to these stories.

Trustees

Will Moore - Chair

I have been a trustee of The GAP since 2014 and became Chair of the Board in 2020. I am currently studying a Masters in Social and Public Policy at the University of York and I am employed as a Student Transitions Teacher in the Institute of Society and Community at the University of Wolverhampton.

I am also a keen musician, playing in two local Birmingham bands (Lobster and Ire-ish), both of which have featured at a number of events at The GAP. I strongly believe in the positive work of The GAP and am immensely proud to have witnessed the growth and development of the charity over the course of my involvement.

Maria Wells - Vice Chair

I first joined the organisation in 2009 and have been involved in various projects creatively and now manage the bookkeeping and finances along with being secretary for the Board.

Things I am passionate about include, community, conversation and cake!

Adewuyi Alabi - Treasurer

Laura Clarke

I’m a curator and cultural organiser originally from Birmingham. I currently work as Head of Programme at Site Gallery in Sheffield and was previously Artistic Director at Arts Catalyst. Through my work I explore how art can be a tool for political education and social change. I’ve worked in arts organisations of different scales for the past 10 years, including Hayward Gallery, the Barbican Centre and Nottingham Contemporary. It’s an exciting time to join the board at The GAP as we work towards the organisation’s long-term future, and I’m really happy to be supporting a brilliant organisation in the city I grew up in.

Damian J. Hursey

I am undertaking a doctorate in practical theology looking at medieval maps, and the way we conceptualise our relationship to the land has changed since the middle ages. I am interested in the interplay of ideas with activism, community, contemplation and creativity, so The GAP arts project fits wonderfully with my range of interests. I have previously worked in the charitable, pastoral and creative sectors.

I was first impressed by The GAP since I became aware of its presence in the Old Print Works, after losing to them in BrumSoup back in 2017! I was a co-worker at The Print Works, and thought it was great the way they served people coffee and cake through the hatch during the pandemic, as all the people were so friendly.

It brightened up my day buying coffee and cake and having a little chat, and soon I had bought so much cake from them I started to put on weight!

Then after the pandemic, it turned out the whole cafe had been transformed into an awesome bright event and exhibition space, like a chrysalis turning into a beautiful big butterfly! One of the staff asked me what I thought and I said it was amazing! Which it was.

Following that, I got to know the GAP team better through being one of the Community Producers, during their cultural resistance project. This was marvellous for me as I had been involved in Creative campaigning at COP 26, and it was super fun to come up with ideas and explore different themes around cultural resistance in various maverick and marvellous ways, as I love expressing my creative and artistic side, and had plenty of chance to do so on Second Saturdays, when we played in a band, flew home made kites and did a rebellious flash mob dance in the street!

I am an amateur activist, artist, philosopher and poet and I like the idea of being an amateur because it is about exploring the beginnings of things with enthusiasm. Reality begins in the imagination, and everything amazing was once someone’s dream.

I try to live with enough space to have time to truly encounter people, and let my feet guide me into new experiences where I can be present where the Universe wants me to be. Sometimes I feel God guides me to people that need my help when I am able to be open in this way.

As a Trustee I hope to bring my experience in community formation and engagement, pastoral work and amateur pantomime, to assisting the team as it moves into the exciting next phase of its life.

Aqeel Kapasi

I currently work in finance for a workers cooperative called Third Sector Accountancy. Before this I was in the not-for-profit sector for a number of years, most recently at the charity Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK), focussing on ethical supply chains and finance.

I am passionate about the power of the arts to enrich our lives and spark positive change. I value The GAP's efforts towards this and making the arts accessible to all.

Uma Lanka

As an education specialist, I am a big believer in lifelong learning. Since joining The GAP family as a student in Birmingham, I have gone on to work with various non-profit organisations in science communication, global health and disability education, bringing my passion and commitment for social justice to The GAP.

In my spare time, I am almost always found in the kitchen, experimenting with plant-based ingredients.

Jamie Woodhouse

I’m currently a Politics and International Relations Student at the University of Birmingham, as well as being an ambassador for the university, and working in their Development and Alumni Relations Office as a fundraiser. I have volunteered with the charities Age UK Birmingham and Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, and I aim to make a difference in the community wherever I can. That’s why the work that the GAP do is very important to me- I’m passionate about making a difference in the local area and I will bring a positive and driven attitude to the GAP.

Outside of work and studying, I really enjoying running, and I ran the London Marathon for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2023.

Associate Artists

Chris Cooper - Drama Practitioner

Chris has worked in TIE and educational theatre and drama since 1988 as an actor, director and playwright. He was the Artistic Director of Big Brum Theatre in Education Company for 17 years (1999-2015) where he directed 35 new TIE programmes and many special projects over the years; including 9 World Premiere productions of new plays by British playwright Edward Bond commissioned by the Company.

In 2008 Cooper set up Accident Time Productions which works mostly in Europe on theatre productions and projects, teaching, training, lecturing and presenting workshops, including ongoing long-term collaborations in Slovenia, Greece, Norway, Hungary, Malta and Ireland. He has written extensively on the theory and practice of educational theatre and drama in a variety of books, journals, and other publications.

Since 2009 Cooper has been working with Drama Rainbow Education (DRE) Company, Beijing training of teachers in drama education and the development of theatre education. He has also created picture books illustrated by Ceri Townsend as part of a Creative Curriculum the Company offers for children aged 3-8 years old in kindergartens and arts centres. Before Covid he was a frequent visitor to mainland China working extensively in the field of drama and theatre education in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Guangzhou and second tier cities.

In January 2017, he became a founder member and the International Director of Jian Xue (See & Learn), which is a research and development NGO in the field of educational drama and theatre with a specific interest in theatre-in-education and international projects, particularly those connecting the Chinese speaking world.
Since 1996, Cooper has been the author of 51 plays that have been performed in the UK, China, Hong Kong, Hungary, Greece and Norway. In 2022 DRE will produce Bag Lady and Rise & Shine for their Youth Theatre, Making Mummy will tour Beijing theatres, and they will stage a TiE tour of You & Me to Kindergartens. Big Brum will tour Along the Silk Road, The GAP Arts Project, Birmingham, will stage Once Upon a Time… and the Wasa Teater, Vaasa, Finland will premiere The Clearing this autumn.

Jane Thakoordin - Participatory Artist

I am a textile artist, educator and participatory artist, which means that the evidence and research informed work I create is always in collaboration with others.

A great fan of the bright, bold and beautiful my practice is rooted in my Guyanese heritage, celebrating colour and texture in the work that I produce with groups and organisations both locally and regionally. I use textiles, found objects and upcycled “stuff” often donated by people who know my penchant for the eclectic and colourful.

I draw on my professional experiences as a mental health practitioner to link creativity and wellbeing in the workshops. I work collaboratively with, amongst others, people seeking asylum, supporting individuals and co-creating work. One of the highlights of the recent Humankindness Project was radical kindness through gift creating for strangers who have made our city their home.

I am a founder/member of MIXED RAGE- a collective of artists of mixed heritages, who recently exhibited at MAC in Birmingham. A recipient of a THRIVE Research bursary, I am currently working with Universities and Youth projects to interrogate the language of mental health and wellbeing, using textiles and zine making as methods of engagement.