Doorstep Arts is a non-profit arts education organisation based in Torbay. We run 14 drama groups across Torbay at key doorstep sites – youth clubs, church halls and schools. We are also the creative education company in residence at the Palace Theatre, Paignton.
The young people who attend these groups range in age from 0-25. They write their own stories and songs, and they explore original ideas through drama process, play, and imagination. The groups provide safe educational spaces to experiment with what it means to be an artist and to explore your own voice.
We believe that we all make the story happen – that participation in the arts is a key part of working for social justice. We believe that all children’s voices and stories matter and deserve to be listened to. Doorstep Arts believes that all children deserve to be able to access high quality participatory arts and to see (and make) amazing and inspiring work on their own doorsteps.
All of Doorstep’s work is educational practice as action research. This research is exploring pedagogy, performance and praxis with young people as co-researchers. Our research and practice is conducted through five key inter-connected strands of work.
Read more about our key strands & vision.
Meet the Team
Jade Campbell
Doorstep Co-Director & Co-Founder
Jade is a Brixham-local, a Dartington graduate and holds an MA in Applied Theatre from the University of Exeter. Jade also works for Theatre Royal Plymouth and teaches for the University of Plymouth. Jade co-parents the Participation & Progression strands of our work, which includes our participatory groups and Foot in the Door mentorship scheme.
jade@doorsteparts.co.uk
Erin Walcon
Doorstep Co-Director & Co-Founder
Erin is a Paignton-based director, writer and educator with a PhD in Applied Theatre. She lectures at the University of Exeter drama department & in the Graduate School of Education. Erin co-parents the Stories from Scratch strand of our work, which includes mentorship of young emerging artists & facilitators.
erin@doorsteparts.co.uk
Meghan Searle
Doorstep Co-Director & Co-Founder
Meg graduated from Central School of Speech and Drama as a drama teacher, specialising in voice and music. Meg has over 20 years experience working with children and young people in the arts. Still part of the core Doorstep team, Meg is now based near Bath and serves in a strategic role, leading on particular projects.
meg@doorsteparts.co.uk
Nathalie Palin
Co-Parent & Lead Artist
Nat joined the team in 2016, and since that time has been a core part of Doorstep’s strategic visioning team as well as serving as a visual arts mentor on a variety of projects. Nat is the co-parent of our Dialogue project strand, coordinates our digital strategy and is the lead grant-writer for Doorstep.
nathalie@doorsteparts.co.uk
Polly Ferguson
Co-Parent & Lead Artist, Doorstep Studio Courses (DAS)
Polly is the musical theatre specialist for Doorstep, serving as the coordinator and Lead Artist for all of the DAS (Studio Courses). She lectured at NW Kent College, and is a Dartington graduate, where she specialised in Balinese puppetry and dance. Polly co-parents the Open Doors outreach programme, focusing on primary schools.
polly@doorsteparts.co.uk
Mair George
Co-Parent & Lead Producer
Mair co-parents our Platform strand of work, which includes producing the Doorstep Theatre Festival. She also takes a lead on all production-focused mentorship for young emerging artists.
mair@doorsteparts.co.uk
Charlotte Rae
Administrator & Finance
Charlotte is the best port of call for any general queries. She is the person in charge of all finances, payments and invoices, and also handles general office administration several days a week. Contact Charlotte with a general enquiry.
Associate Artists
Doorstep works with a regular team of wonderful associate artists, many of whom run their own organisations and wear many hats. Just a few of this incredible group who we are lucky enough to regularly team with are:
Hugh Nankivell, composer & musician (Shared Inventions)
Steve Sowden, musician & film-maker (Shared Inventions)
Kate Graham, musician & songwriter (Soundlaunch)
Michael Smith, actor, writer, facilitator (PaddleBoat Theatre Company)
Michael O’Shea, breakdancer (Just 4 Funk & Torbay Breaking)
Rebecca Dobson, theatre-maker & facilitator
Foot in the Door Assistants
Doorstep runs a year-round mentorship programme, Foot in the Door, which provides support, resource, and training for emerging artists in Torbay.
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