Tom has 20 years experience of designing, co-ordinating, producing and managing arts programmes with Green Shoot Productions, c21 Theatre Company, Terra Nova Productions, Northern Regional College, Gambit Theatre Company, Belfast Exposed, Galaxy Coaching, DramaLab, Kaleidoscope Dance Company, YouthAction Northern Ireland, The Rainbow Factory, NEELB, Rathcoole CEP, Whitewell CEP, UAYD and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
These programmes include both classical and devised theatre productions, youth arts festivals, community arts festivals, issue-based theatre outreach programmes, issue based touring productions, youth worker training programmes and Northern Irelands first apprenticeship training programme.
As well as experience of running short term youth arts programmes he also has 10 years experience as the Artistic Director of the Rainbow Factory, school of performing arts. This entailed the daily management of a part school of performing arts attended by 400 young people each week. I have also worked as an arts mentor supporting emerging artists.
Since 2016 Tom has been a lecturer in acting on the Northern Regional College Performing Arts Course.
Some examples of the programmes Tom has been responsible for designing and delivering over the past 20 years have been;
Suitcase Theatre – this theatre in education based model of work involves working with a group of young people 16-25 to create an issue based theatre road show which includes a 45 minute theatre piece followed by a 45 minute workshop. This piece of theatre then toured around the country into theatres, schools and youth centres where it is performed to audiences of their peers.
Catalyst outreach programme – a 20 week performing arts programmes delivered in both urban and rural communities. The aim of the programme is to use issue based theatre techniques to give young people a voice within their communities. Over the 20 weeks the young people devise a piece of issue based theatre that is then performed to their community.
Connections – a programme to allow young people with special needs to experience the performing arts. The programme is designed to develop the young people not only artistically but also socially and personally. Run in Gelnveigh and Harberton special schools.
The Nucleus Model – a new model of ‘youth arts underpinned by youth work principles’; this model was developed in 2012 and uses the five main principles participation, artistic skills, values and beliefs, acceptance and understanding of others, and leadership. The model is a best practice model for developing youth arts programmes.
Community Links Performing Arts Course– an OCN level 2 accredited programme designed to provide participants with skills in facilitating youth arts.
BX Photography Training Structure– a multi level photography training structure designed to provide participants with skills in photography. This structure is designed to offer skills courses that can be accessed by beginners through to professionals.
Tom also acted as the theatre and technical manager of ‘The Rainbow Factory Studio Theatre’ based in Belfast City Centre. This 120 seat theatre is set up as a young peoples’ theatre run by young people. I worked alongside the young people's steering groups to ensure the quality of its annual programme of workshops, productions and youth arts festivals.
