youth advisory panel
“No other programme I have been a part of, designed for young people, has centred that particular group nor enabled that specific cohort to help mould the engagement. Other programmes have always felt cookie-mould, more concerned with *appearing* to centre young people and not necessarily actually listening to the group in front of them. YAP meaningfully engages, over a long period - a rare opportunity itself - which will enable us to grow together.”
YAP member
Aekam Kaur
Hey, I'm Aekam and I'm driven by a passion for self-discovery and connecting with myself and others. My passion has brought me into spaces relating to theatre and movement, which have helped me develop a healthy relationship with my mind, body and spirit. I would love to create spaces that accommodate openness and authenticity, where people can connect and collaborate as their most creative, free selves. You can find out more about me here: https://instagram.com/aekamkaur
Amy Lever
Amy Lever is an award-winning writer, actor and theatre-maker from Manchester. Whilst studying Psychology at Cambridge University she wrote her first play, Life Before the Line, which won the Cambridge University Edinburgh Fringe Fund - a prize in which one piece of new writing is fully funded at the Edinburgh Fringe. It went on to receive Five Star Reviews, sold-out shows and subsequent accolades (Varsity’s Top Shows 2022, MasterClass PYP Longlist, BOLD Playwrights Longlist). She has since been named Runner-up for the Alpine Fellowship Prize For Playwriting (2023), shortlisted for the Shelagh Delaney New Writing Prize, selected for a script development scheme with Channel 4 and New Writing North and has just completed a paid script development scheme with Warner Bros, The Royal Exchange and Wall to Wall to develop her writing for stage and screen.
Her acting training includes National Youth Theatre, The Television Workshop and Cambridge University’s Graduating Actors Showcase. Acting credits include: “The Last Cowboy in Salford” (BFI) currently touring BAFTA Qualifying Festivals, The Calligrapher (Edinburgh Fringe Festival, CUADC Award 2021) and “111 More Time” (HOME, Contact, MIF). Amy is over the moon to be apart of Barrel Organ’s Youth Advisory Panel!
Anson To
Anson has experience in lighting design, stage management and producing and would absolutely love to explore anything arts-related! (fun fact: also studies bioengineering and does a bit of coding)
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/ansonnto/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/attwt21/
Emily Bold
Emily Bold (she/they) is a theatre maker and artist from Manchester.
They are a member of the National Youth Theatre and also has been an actor/maker with the Royal Exchange Young Company. Emily has also worked in access and inclusion at different venues in Manchester, including the Royal Exchange, Z-Arts and Castlefield Art Gallery.
Emily has worked as a theatre maker and artist on a broad range of projects ranging from gig theatre to video art and has a tendency toward the weird and the wonderful. She is also passionate about making theatre accessible to both disabled audiences and artists alike. Emily is also a part of Switch MCR, a theatre company based in Manchester.
Work includes: ‘Access Acquired’ (Curator, NYT, 2022,2024), 'Let The Right One In', (Performer, Royal Exchange 2023) 'Buzzing', (R&D, HOME MCR 2023) ‘Deviant Diners’, (video artist, A Modest Show, 2022), ‘Reservation’ (Performer, DaDaFest x NSDF 2022), ‘Silent Statues’ (Online, R&D, NYT 2021), ‘ConnectFest’ (muso, RXT young company 2020), ‘Work Like A Woman’ (actor/muso, Unity Theatre, 2020)
Emily Hamilton
I am a producer and fundraiser, currently working at the Young Vic as Development Coordinator where I lead on donor events. I also work with the Young Vic producing team having successfully been awarded an Arts Council funded DYCP grant. I am currently levelling my commercial practices as a Stage One Bridge the Gap producer.
I care about centring artists and storytelling, and finding sustainable funding models to increase arts access for all.
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-kathryn-hamilton/
Immy Wood
Immy is a Yorkshire gal working and living in the West Midlands. She works as an Actor and Actor-Muso (singer, violin and keys) and has performed with companies such as Stans Cafe, TaleGate Theatre and York Theatre Royal. When she is not treading the boards, she works backstage at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre as stage crew and a dresser. She worked for Birmingham Opera as a Project Coordinator for the Echo Eternal Opera last year. This year brings Immy’s first stage management gig, on a tour around the Midlands! This is not Immy’s first rodeo with Barrel Organ - back in 2020-21 Immy was a part of Tess Young Company and she was an actor for Thunk-It Theatre’s ‘Common Ground’, supported and mentored by Barrel Organ. Immy is loving being a part of the company again through YAP and working with a bunch of inspiring and creative beans!! When not working, you’ll find Immy with a cup of Yorkshire Tea or a Pint (no in-between).
Rory Clarke
Sadia Mir
Sadia is a proud public speaker, creative, and an equality, diversity and inclusion advocate. Sadia Mir started her career tackling what was unfairly blocked from her during her youth because of her skin colour, because of her religion, and because of her background. This included, and is not limited to; a safe space, disability guidance, sports, adequate prayer facilities (the corridor does not count!), education, creative opportunities and secure pathways to share instances of racism and islamophobia. Sadia now takes her passion for creating safe spaces into the realms of Heritage and Culture, Creativity and Arts, Youth Voice and the Health sector across Greater Manchester.