About us

Meet the team

 

"Before there was Staged, there were two sisters with a theatre dream."

Staged is the creation of sisters Ange Williams and Katie Thompson.

 

"With seven years between us, we're not only sisters but best friends, and creating our own theatre company was a dream that started when we were young.

As we grew up, that dream shaped the paths we took. We developed different but complementary skills so that, together, we could understand and create all sides of theatre."

 

Ange Williams BA (Hons)

Charity Manager & Production Manager

 

Ange was born and raised in Biddulph before moving to Edinburgh to study Theatre Production at Queen Margaret University, graduating with a 2:1 BA (Hons). She also has a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts - Production and gained a GCSE in Dance.

Her professional career has taken her all over the UK and internationally, working across production and stage management, lighting, sound, costume and technical theatre. She spent six years working with Underbelly at the Edinburgh Festival as a Technician and Stage Manager and has also worked with companies including China Plate, Disability Arts Cymru and Pen-Ultimate. 

Ange specialises in Production Management and Stage Management, bringing a wealth of practical theatre experience to Staged. At Staged, she leads much of the production and practical side of our work, helping turn ideas into real productions.

 

Katie Thompson BA (Hons)

Charity Director & Writer

 

Katie was born and raised in Biddulph before studying Creative Writing at Edge Hill University, where she graduated with a 2:1 degree specialising in writing for stage.

Alongside writing, Katie has experience both on and behind the stage. She completed a BTEC in Performing Arts and an ATM in Music Production, and has worked in front of house, box office, backstage and technical roles. She also volunteered and worked at Underbelly in Edinburgh, alongside Ange, before touring the UK with the Ladyboys of Bangkok in box office and front of house.

At Staged, Katie writes and directs our original productions, creating scripts specifically around the people performing them. She brings together writing, directing, performance and creative ideas to help our young people have a genuine voice in the work they create.

Beth Hall

Dance & Performance

Beth has been dancing and performing on stage from a young age, taking part in dance shows and competing in numerous dance competitions throughout her childhood and teenage years.

She first became involved with Staged by helping us with the dances in our productions. As her confidence and experience grew, so did her role within the organisation.

Beth is now our primary choreographer and an important part of our creative team. She brings her own experience of performing to our groups, helping young people develop their dance, movement and performance skills while encouraging them to become more confident on stage.

From taking part in performances herself to now helping create performances for others, Beth's journey with Staged is something we're incredibly proud of.

 

Phoebe Chaddock

Assistant Director & Performer

Phoebe's Staged story is a little different — because she started as one of our young people.

She quickly showed a real enthusiasm for acting, directing and dance, as well as a natural ability to work with both her peers and younger children.

Phoebe went on to volunteer with Staged, alongside volunteering with Cubs and Scouts, gaining experience and becoming someone we could increasingly rely upon across our sessions and productions.

As her skills and responsibilities grew, so did her role within Staged. After becoming a valued member of the team, we were delighted to employ her.

Today, Phoebe assists across our groups and productions, supporting acting, directing, dance and the many other jobs that need doing to make Staged happen.

For us, Phoebe's journey from participant to volunteer to employee is something we're particularly proud of — and a wonderful example of how someone can grow with Staged.