Heather Simpkin

QUALIFICATIONS

MA Actor Coaching and Training                           Royal Central School of Speech and Drama  2008

BA (Hons) English and Drama (Humanities)         University SW England 1985

Film

Writer, Co-producer and director of a film version (Planet Shakespeare Production) of Twelfth Night filmed in a specialist DVD format for use in schools.  I wrote the educational text and DVD extras for use in the classroom.  I was a co-founder and director of Planet Shakespeare. 2003

Associate Producer Tea + Cake directed by Kirsty Robinson 2013

 PRODUCING

Bear in the Air Productions Ltd 2014 to Present

Company Director, Producer and Playwright

An emerging production company dedicated to quality, innovation and supporting new talent.  New writing and classics.

Much Ado About Nothing                               National Tour 2022

Twelfth Night                                                   National Tour 2021

Cinderella                                                        Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames 2020

Sleeping Beauty                                             Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames 2019

Locked Up*                                                     Tristan Bates Theatre 2017

A Midsummer Night’s Dream                         National Tour 2014

 Self Employed Producer 2008 – Present

Creator of The Kenton Theatre annual pantomime.  In its first three years I firmly established the event by producing, writing and directing each production and now produce it on behalf of Bear in the Air.

Producer, Director and Writer for the cabaret group Lend Us a Tenor AKA Vocalarity, 2008 – 2013

Co-founder and Artistic Director of over 30 shows per year at the Henley Fringe Festival 2008 – 2009

 DIRECTING

Theatre

Much Ado About Nothing                                           National Tour 2022

Twelfth Night                                                               National Tour 2021

Ol’ Blue Eyes - Co-director with Bill Deamer             Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline 2010

Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Aladdin & Peter Pan     Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames 2012-2020

The Great American Seasonal Songbook                 New End Theatre, Hampstead 2009

The Great American Songbook                                  New End Theatre, Hampstead 2009

Make Believe; The Musical                                        Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames 2009

Lend Us a Tenor Cabaret                                           The Henley Festival 2008

Fat Christ                                                                    King’s Head Theatre 2008

Judge Me!                                                                   Various fringe venues and festivals, UK wide 2008 Numerous student showcases at CSSD for MA Film Acting and MA Classical Acting

ACTING & OTHER COACHING 2005 - present

Royal Central School of Speech and Drama – visiting lecturer undergraduate level

Bespoke Coaching for Business Executives specialising in physicality and non-verbal communication

MEMBERSHIPS

UK Theatre SOLT, Director’s Guild of Great Britain, The Writer’s Guild, Equity.

APPRENTICESHIP

Trainee Artistic Director Programme                          King’s Head Theatre 2008

 

 

East Anglia



Playwright:

The Last Tudor     Full length play currently in workshop

Sex Work                 One act, one woman play currently in workshop

Full length pantomimes:

Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin, Peter Pan performed at the Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames from 2012 to 2021

Locked Up*   One act play premiered at the Tristan Bates Theatre 2018

*Nominated for 3 Off West End Awards - 2 Best Actor & Most Promising New Playwright

Ol’ Blue Eyes  Full length cabaret show premiered Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline 2010

The Great American Songbook Full length cabaret show premiered New End Theatre 2009

The Great American Seasonal Songbook Full length cabaret show premiered New End Theatre 2009

Judge Me!  Cabaret Sketch Show                  Various fringe venues and festivals 2008-2013

Adaptations:

Shakespeare's Twelfth Night adapted for six actors touring SW England summer 2021

Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing adapted for six actors touring SW England 2022

Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream adapted for six actors tour planned for 2023

Theatre