In 2011, Hubbub Theatre’s Artistic Director, Jen Sumner, identified a need and desire for an inclusive theatre company for Derby. There was a clear vision: create fully integrated theatre with learning disabled, autistic and/or neurodivergent actors and performers of the highest possible quality.
About us
“As experts in their field, there is a real resource in Jen and her team to whom we can turn to for advice”
Sarah Brigham
CEO & Artistic Director, Derby Theatre
Our
history
Devised as part of the 2012 Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony in Derby, Village Green Antics was our first devised performance. It went on to tour five festivals across the East Midlands from 2013-2016, becoming the launchpad for who and what we are now: Hubbub Theatre Company.
On the map, in both the city and the region, we were able to bridge the vast gap for sustainable, high quality, creative provision for the learning disabled, autistic and/or neurodivergent community aged 18+. At the time, we were one of the only providers of this kind of theatre/drama experience for our community in the East Midlands, particularly for those hoping to find work and purpose in the arts.
Over ten years on, our company and community have grown. Three of our founding members of The Company – our professional actors and performers who meet twice weekly – still attend today. Two now lead and co-facilitate our Actor Training programme and one is a core member of our Hub community group. The Hubbub Way, our uniquely designed, fully integrated training methodology is taught by members of the Hubbub team alongside members of The Company. Members of The Company are represented on our board, co-direct our performances, community sessions and programme. We have been able to develop a framework that supports a fully integrated organisation leading the way in co-working and co-leadership.
Touring the East Midlands and creating work showed us there was more we could do and we have since created a number of original, touring, indoor and outdoor productions. ‘Kessoku’ and ‘Kessoku Remix’ were presented at Déda, before visiting Attenborough Arts Centre and Leicester Curve. Our street theatre performances: ‘The (Not So Quiet) Revolution of Kindness’ and ‘One Moon’ have both been shared at international arts festival, Derby Feste.
Beyond our Village Green Antics
In 2017 we launched our Actor Training Programme, profiled in the national research project Separate Doors. Endorsed by Derby Theatre, the training began with trainees taking part in masterclasses and research and development with industry experts from Circomedia, Can’t Sit Still, Gecko and Told by an Idiot.
We continue to collaborate with these companies, including making the short film ‘Come With Me Sunshine’ with Told By An Idiot in 2019, and one of our actors went on to feature in two films for their professional film project ‘Seven Deadly Idiots’ debuting in 2022.
Working with a wide range of creative organisations and partners, our aim is to ensure that Learning Disabled Neurodivergent and/or Austic individuals can pursue their aspirations further.
Throughout 2022, we developed ‘The Drum’ for outdoor performance. We began creation of the piece in 2019 and found a way to continue throughout 2020-21 with our roaming Agents of Kindness chorus, inspiring random acts of kindness in lockdown and beyond!
What’s next for us? Lots of exciting things. Join our mailing list to keep in touch.
Board and Leadership Team
Jen Sumner
Founder & Artistic Director
Jen founded Hubbub in 2012 and is our Artistic Director. Trained as a Drama & Movement Therapist (Sesame Approach) and Drama teacher, Jen brings her skills and expertise in these areas to Hubbub, along with devised physical theatre and movement practice. (more below)
Stevie Prowting
Co-Director - Hubbub Get Involved
Stevie is Co-Director for Hubbub’s ‘Get Involved’ programme. They specialise in drama, movement, and accessible communications.
Eve Bickley
Co-Director – Business and Finance
Eve joined the team in late 2024 on a freelance basis and was appointed the Business Director role in early 2025.
Ruth Lee
Associate Executive Director
Ruth is a freelance consultant and has worked in the arts and cultural sector for over 30 years’ in development and leadership roles. Ruth also works with creatives as a coach and mentor and as a hopeless romantic offers her services as a wedding celebrant.
Email me: [email protected]
Emily Bowman
Interim Chair (Partnerships)
Emily is the current Managing Director of Junction Arts and is responsible for the strategic delivery of the charity. She has worked in the creative sector for over 20 years on a variety of programmes for a wide range of cultural organisations both as a performer, practitioner and arts leader.
Vickie Minnion
Interim Chair (Governance)
Vickie has been a qualified social worker since 1985 and has years of experience in managing social care services. She has a long standing passion for supporting people with learning disabilities and autism to get a life filled with choices and opportunities.
Parmjit Sagoo
Board of Trustees
Bio and photo to follow.
Alice Marshall
Board of Trustees
Bio and photo to follow.
Sue Gillot
Board of Trustees
Bio and photo to follow.
Bharat Singh
Trainee Trustee
Bharat is an actor with The Company, a member of the board, and is Chair of The Leadership Group, a team that steer the direction of Hubbub. He is currently training through the Transforming Leadership programme in order to maximise the active role he plays on our board.
Anil Chand
Anil is an actor with The Company and part of our Leadership Group, a team that steer the direction of Hubbub
Bethany Smith
Bethany is an actor with The Company and part of our Leadership Group, a team that steer the direction of Hubbub
Our Team
The Hubbub team is made up of highly experienced people bringing unique skills and personality to the team. Some of our team have been here since day one, other’s more recently joining, everyone committed to collaborative, creative and open hearted working.
Get to know our team
Click each team member to find out more about them.
Get to know Jen
Jen founded Hubbub in 2012 and is our Artistic Director. Trained as a Drama & Movement Therapist (Sesame Approach) and Drama teacher, Jen brings her skills and expertise in these areas to Hubbub, along with devised physical theatre and movement practice. Jen’s passion is in equitable, collaborative processes, non-verbal storytelling and finding the play between depth and humour in process and performance. Jen is now proud to share the Hubbub Way training that has evolved through over 25 years of practice with a diverse range of humans!
Email her
[email protected]
Get to know Eve
Eve joined the team in late 2024 on a freelance basis and was appointed the Business Director role in early 2025.
Email me:
[email protected]
Get to know Ruth
Ruth is a freelance consultant and has worked in the arts and cultural sector for over 30 years’ in development and leadership roles. Ruth also works with creatives as a coach and mentor and as a hopeless romantic offers her services as a wedding celebrant.
Email me
[email protected]
Get to know Stevie
Stevie is Co-Director for Hubbub’s ‘Get Involved’ programme. They specialise in drama, movement, and accessible communications.
Email me:
[email protected]
Get to know Vitalis
Vitalis is lead facilitator in The Company and CANVAS youth sessions.
Email me:
[email protected]
Bio to follow.
Bio to follow.
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Bio to follow.
Associate Artists
We’re a highly professional group with creativity and kindness at the heart of our practice. We work with a number of talented artists, facilitators and practitioners with whom we’ve built relationships over the years.
Get to know them
Click each artist to find out more about them.
Jenn was an actor for over 15 years and is now a Movement Director working across regional theatres in the UK. She is passionate about using movement to tell stories in interesting or unusual ways. She is an ultra runner and a cross-stitcher, but not at the same time.
Bio and photo to follow.
Ally Companies
