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
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
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