About Wise Children

Wise Children is a theatre company created and led by multi-award-winning director, Emma Rice. Founded in 2018 we are an Arts Council England National Portfolio organisation. From our home in Somerset, we make ground-breaking work with exceptional artists and tour across the UK and internationally.

Our home, The Lucky Chance, is in Frome, Somerset. Originally a 1900s Methodist Church, we transformed The Lucky Chance into our creation space and a tiny theatre in which to welcome audiences of all shapes and sizes. The Lucky Chance opened to the public for the very first time in December 2023 with Emma Rice’s production of The Little Matchgirl and Happier Tales.

Wise Children’s Training Programme

Alongside our shows, we run a unique professional development initiative, the Wise Children Training Programme, training a new and more diverse generation of theatre practitioners. Led by Emma and her award-winning collaborators, the Programme offers workshops, courses and other opportunities for fearless, free-thinking theatre makers and emerging companies. For more information about how to train with Wise Children, head to our website: www.wisechildren.co.uk

The Club

The Wise Children Club is our community: a growing group of allies who support our work and share ideas and dreams. Right now, as we face uncertain and difficult times, we need the Club more than ever! Club members are our ambassadors—online and in-person. They spread the word, bring new people to our shows, and look for opportunities for Wise Children to grow as a creative force for good! You might also be inspired to know that everyone who works for Wise Children (from those who tread the boards to the Board itself) joins the Club and donates to the company. If you’d like to join us, you can do it at www.wisechildren.co.uk

Wise Children staff

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR - EMMA RICE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - POPPY KEELING

CREATIVE DIRECTOR - SIMON BAKER

HEAD OF ORGANISATION - STEPH CURTIS

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR & HEAD OF TRAINING - LAURA KEEFE

HEAD OF PRODUCTION - JAY JONES

HEAD OF FINANCE - BEN PARKER

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER - RHYS BUGLER

PARTICIPATION & PRODUCTION ASSISTANT - RIDDELL ERRIDGE

FUNDRAISER - HELENA PRICE

DIGITAL & TECHNICAL ASSISTANT - MERLYN PIP SALTER-LING

COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING ASSISTANT - AMELIA MADAN

Board of trustees Judith Dimant, Kane Husbands, Clare Reddington (Chair), Nicholas Rogers, Yuko Thomas

Wise Children is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.