Graft Collaborative is a non-profit Community Interest Company established to support emerging creative practitioners from a range of artistic and performative disciplines through the development of engaging projects involving Leeds-based communities to highlight and engage residents with important social issues. This will be achieved by creating and developing opportunities for communities to engage and participate in artistic projects from emerging artistic and performative practitioners.
The Board of Directors for Graft Collaborative CIC are Leeds-based emerging artistic and performative practitioners with a desire to help support others, whilst giving back to our local communities, finding creative solutions to difficult issues.
Liam Robbins: Artistic Director 2019/2020
Liam Robbins is a co-founder of Graft Collaborative CIC and is our current Artistic Director for 2019/20. An interdisciplinary director, actor and writer from Leeds, Liam has trained in Performance Practitioning (BA, Teesside University/Leeds City College) and is a current member of the Young Company at the Leeds Playhouse, having previous being a member of the Youth Theatre there. Their credits as an actor include; ‘Doctor Faustus’ by Christopher Marlow and Colin Teevan, 2013, ‘Enjoy’ by Alan Bennett, 2014; and as a director include; ‘Women of Troy’ by Euripides, Candle Jar Theatre Company, 2015.
“I am currently really interested in verbatim theatre and creating performances in non-traditional spaces, making it more accessible for members of the public to watch. I hope to use my skills and training to engage audiences with important, local issues and help residents and other artists to raise awareness of their social concerns.”
James Gray: Director/Secretary 2019/20
James Gray is a co-founder of Graft Collaborative CIC and is our current Secretary as well as a creative Director for 2019/20. An interdisciplinary practitioner, curator and writer residing in Leeds, James has trained in Performance Practitioning (BA, Teesside University/Leeds City College) and currently studying Curation Practice (MA, Leeds Arts University) focusing on storytelling. After being chosen as a Do It For Real Volunteer for UnLtd for Social Entrepreneurship 2015/16, they are keen to share their skills with other emerging artists.
“Storytelling is key to all my projects, and believe passionately in creating spaces where important issues can be discussed freely. As a facilitator, I hope to use the skills and knowledge I have gained to inspire emerging artists to really connect with residents, business and organisations in Leeds, using their voice to make changes.”
Beccie Allen: Director 2019/20
Beccie Allen is a creative Director for Graft Collaborative CIC 2019/20. An actor and writer from Wakefield, she is currently training in Acting (BA, LIPA) and is a member of the National Youth Theatre. She is also a previous member of the Leeds Playhouse Youth Theatre. Their credits as an actor include; ‘Children of the Sun’ by Maxim Gorky, ‘Seascapes with Sharks and Dancer’ by Don Nigro, ‘Shakers’ by John Godber, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ by William Shakespeare.
“Coming from a working class background, I am excited to be a part of collaborative that with share stories with audiences who don’t usually or are unable to access arts, especially theatre. I hope this will make a real change to our local communities. I am keen to find new writers that understand our regional communities and let different voices be heard.”
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