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MANDALA PEOPLE
STAFF
Yasmin Sidhwa
Artistic Director
Yasmin is founder and Artistic Director of Mandala Theatre Company. She has toured with the Royal National Theatre Company, Tara Arts and Aquila Theatre Company, and worked in repertory theatre, television and radio as actor and director.
Yasmin is founder and Artistic Director of Mandala Theatre Company. She has toured with the Royal National Theatre Company, Tara Arts and Aquila Theatre Company, and worked in repertory theatre, television and radio as actor and director.
Sherrell Perkin
Fundraiser
Sherrell has worked in the arts and theatre for more decades than she cares to remember. Starting out in venue management, she quickly discovered a passion for arts education and community work, and spent around 20 years working in this field for venues in London, Essex and Hertfordshire. She also helped set up Box Clever Theatre Company with its extensive schools touring programme, and grew the education work at Trestle Theatre Company, fundraising to set up the Trestle Youth Theatre. She later returned to venue management working for many years as General Manager at the North Wall in Oxford, where she helped raise funds towards various festivals, programmes and productions, before heading off to the charity sector for a few years to work within Oxfam's Philanthropy and Partnerships team. Sherrell is delighted to have joined Mandala Theatre Company at such an exciting time, and is looking forward to helping the company realise its plans and ambitions as it embarks on its NPO journey.
Sherrell has worked in the arts and theatre for more decades than she cares to remember. Starting out in venue management, she quickly discovered a passion for arts education and community work, and spent around 20 years working in this field for venues in London, Essex and Hertfordshire. She also helped set up Box Clever Theatre Company with its extensive schools touring programme, and grew the education work at Trestle Theatre Company, fundraising to set up the Trestle Youth Theatre. She later returned to venue management working for many years as General Manager at the North Wall in Oxford, where she helped raise funds towards various festivals, programmes and productions, before heading off to the charity sector for a few years to work within Oxfam's Philanthropy and Partnerships team. Sherrell is delighted to have joined Mandala Theatre Company at such an exciting time, and is looking forward to helping the company realise its plans and ambitions as it embarks on its NPO journey.
Tolulope Woodington
Administration and Finance Officer
Tolulope Ayomide Woodington née Abimbola is a global Cultural Enthusiast. She has a BA (Hons) in Theatre Art and over the years has worked as a media professional trained in the art of Project Management with a penchant for Administration and Finance management.
In recent times, she has worked on authentic African stories told on a global scale through the lenses of numerous notable film studios. Her passion for the theatre lies on its grandest scale of designing carnivals and festivals. Evident to these are her works in this sector; she has curated and executed two carnivals in her time.
Tolulope is a driven individual with a penchant for bringing Africa and its untold stories to the world with all its rich history and authenticity built into a picture that may be appreciated globally through the world of theatre, film and entertainment.
Tolulope Ayomide Woodington née Abimbola is a global Cultural Enthusiast. She has a BA (Hons) in Theatre Art and over the years has worked as a media professional trained in the art of Project Management with a penchant for Administration and Finance management.
In recent times, she has worked on authentic African stories told on a global scale through the lenses of numerous notable film studios. Her passion for the theatre lies on its grandest scale of designing carnivals and festivals. Evident to these are her works in this sector; she has curated and executed two carnivals in her time.
Tolulope is a driven individual with a penchant for bringing Africa and its untold stories to the world with all its rich history and authenticity built into a picture that may be appreciated globally through the world of theatre, film and entertainment.
Maryam Ahmed
Comms Producer
Maryam has a background in the arts sector and has been a community organiser in Oxford for five years.
She handles the comms, and marketing and social media for Mandala Theatre Company.
Maryam has a background in the arts sector and has been a community organiser in Oxford for five years.
She handles the comms, and marketing and social media for Mandala Theatre Company.
BOARD
Gurucharan Virdee
Chair
Gurcharan is a senior gender and social development and humanitarian specialist with a specific focus on gender equality, women’s rights, child protection, and good governance.
Her forty-seven years of experience spans work in Afghanistan, Central Asia, the Russian Federation, the Baltics States, Nigeria, Somalia and Middle East with the UN agencies, multi
literal donors, international and national non-governmental agencies and national
governments.
Gurcharan’s journey into feminism started as a founder member of Southall Black Sisters. A
heady and exciting period of sisterhood, consciousness raising, speaking out against racism,
sexism and the dregs of imperialism.
Gurcharan began working in the UK in Hackney social services in 1985, as a qualified social
worker and then as child protection coordinator, managing a district of child protection. She
became a senior lecturer at the University of East London teaching a professional diploma
together with bachelor’s and master’s degree. And, the undergraduate course in
anthropology on South Asia.
Gurcharan is currently writing her memoir on women’s rights in Afghanistan.
Gurcharan is a senior gender and social development and humanitarian specialist with a specific focus on gender equality, women’s rights, child protection, and good governance.
Her forty-seven years of experience spans work in Afghanistan, Central Asia, the Russian Federation, the Baltics States, Nigeria, Somalia and Middle East with the UN agencies, multi
literal donors, international and national non-governmental agencies and national
governments.
Gurcharan’s journey into feminism started as a founder member of Southall Black Sisters. A
heady and exciting period of sisterhood, consciousness raising, speaking out against racism,
sexism and the dregs of imperialism.
Gurcharan began working in the UK in Hackney social services in 1985, as a qualified social
worker and then as child protection coordinator, managing a district of child protection. She
became a senior lecturer at the University of East London teaching a professional diploma
together with bachelor’s and master’s degree. And, the undergraduate course in
anthropology on South Asia.
Gurcharan is currently writing her memoir on women’s rights in Afghanistan.
Beverley Harry
Trustee
Sabah Heydon
Trustee
Rhaea Russell-Cartwright
Trustee
Rooted in a lifelong commitment to justice and creativity, Rhaea Russell-Cartwright works at the intersection of racial justice, international development, human rights and the arts.
As Director of Racial Justice and Equalities at Oxfam GB, she leads work to embed intersectional feminist, decolonial and equity principles across the organisation’s culture and systems.
Her earlier contributions, published in Journeying to Justice – Contributions to the Baptist Tradition across the Black Atlantic (2017), reflected on culture, identity, reparations and the importance of youth leadership.
Rhaea holds an LLM in Human Rights from the University of Nottingham and is a trustee of the arts and education charity, Mandala. Committed to the transformative power of creative expression, she continues to draw on the arts as a source of insight and inspiration in her approach to justice. Outside of work, she is a First Dan black belt in Taekwon-do and a three-time marathon runner.
Rooted in a lifelong commitment to justice and creativity, Rhaea Russell-Cartwright works at the intersection of racial justice, international development, human rights and the arts.
As Director of Racial Justice and Equalities at Oxfam GB, she leads work to embed intersectional feminist, decolonial and equity principles across the organisation’s culture and systems.
Her earlier contributions, published in Journeying to Justice – Contributions to the Baptist Tradition across the Black Atlantic (2017), reflected on culture, identity, reparations and the importance of youth leadership.
Rhaea holds an LLM in Human Rights from the University of Nottingham and is a trustee of the arts and education charity, Mandala. Committed to the transformative power of creative expression, she continues to draw on the arts as a source of insight and inspiration in her approach to justice. Outside of work, she is a First Dan black belt in Taekwon-do and a three-time marathon runner.
Sasha East
Trustee
Sasha East is a community leader and CEO with a background in grass roots community development work, adult education, lived experience advocacy, and the occasional overuse of a fancy spreadsheet or two. As a trustee of Mandala Theatre Company, Sasha brings a passion for inclusive storytelling, social justice, and making sure the biscuits at meetings are up to standard. When not championing change or writing funding proposals, Sasha can be found swimming lengths at the local pool and plotting ways to make the world a little kinder.
Sasha East is a community leader and CEO with a background in grass roots community development work, adult education, lived experience advocacy, and the occasional overuse of a fancy spreadsheet or two. As a trustee of Mandala Theatre Company, Sasha brings a passion for inclusive storytelling, social justice, and making sure the biscuits at meetings are up to standard. When not championing change or writing funding proposals, Sasha can be found swimming lengths at the local pool and plotting ways to make the world a little kinder.
YOUTH VOICE
Ramy Hassan
I'm a filmmaker and musician currently studying at Bristol School of Acting. I've been part of Mandal for two years now, and in that time I've travelled to Grenoble, Paris, and Ramallah where I've performed in Paradise Lost, Rhinoceros, and more.
Nelvin Kiratu
Nelvin is a theatre trained actor who most recently performed the role of
Rafeal in a critically acclaimed production of Seed Guardians, and the role of Solomon Salah in the film production of Small Hours. He is currently
involved in the writing of a feature length film, where he will play the role
of a forensic investigator.
Rafeal in a critically acclaimed production of Seed Guardians, and the role of Solomon Salah in the film production of Small Hours. He is currently
involved in the writing of a feature length film, where he will play the role
of a forensic investigator.
Mya Fraser
I've been part of Mandala for two years now. During that time I've been to Paris, Grenoble, and Ramallah performing in all of the Mandala Young Company productions - most recently as Satan in Paradise Lost.
Away from Mandala, I write poetry, and I have recently written a book raising awareness of male mental health.
Away from Mandala, I write poetry, and I have recently written a book raising awareness of male mental health.
Anushka Kar
I have always enjoyed acting performing and storytelling it is an important aspect to me to bring acting and awareness for global issues into the same format into an art to make people think and ask questions, acting with mandala makes a great community for this and to take creative freedom and encourage each other, in parallel to this I am a student midwife where my passion for empowering women also intertwines with involving that with performing, and to inspire others.
PATRONS
Cait Morrison
Patron
Calt Morrison is a co-director of Finn Black, a production company, and a trustee of ChiPS, a charity supporting children through art and education. She originally trained and worked as a journalist, and subsequently worked in local television, media production and marketing communications. She later qualified as a fine artist. She is a former trustee of the Undercurrents charity, which provides video production training for social justice activists. Cait grew up in South London and Leicester, where she attended her local youth theatre. She is committed to supporting Mandala Theatre’s core aim of being a diversity-led company with social justice at its heart.
Calt Morrison is a co-director of Finn Black, a production company, and a trustee of ChiPS, a charity supporting children through art and education. She originally trained and worked as a journalist, and subsequently worked in local television, media production and marketing communications. She later qualified as a fine artist. She is a former trustee of the Undercurrents charity, which provides video production training for social justice activists. Cait grew up in South London and Leicester, where she attended her local youth theatre. She is committed to supporting Mandala Theatre’s core aim of being a diversity-led company with social justice at its heart.
Philip Selway
Patron
Philip Selway is a member of the Oxford-based band, Radiohead, a solo artist and a composer for film and dance. Through his involvement with arts organisations in Oxford such as Arts at the Old Fire Station, Pegasus Theatre, and now Mandala Theatre Company, he recognises and supports the potential of the arts as a force for positive change in the
local community and beyond.
“I’m proud to become a Patron of Mandala Theatre Company. With the wealth of talent amongst the young performers and the inspiring leadership of Yasmin Sidhwa, the company creates not only great original drama, but also nurtures confident, informed and individual voices. These are the voices that will bring about change, social justice and greater connection”.
Philip Selway is a member of the Oxford-based band, Radiohead, a solo artist and a composer for film and dance. Through his involvement with arts organisations in Oxford such as Arts at the Old Fire Station, Pegasus Theatre, and now Mandala Theatre Company, he recognises and supports the potential of the arts as a force for positive change in the
local community and beyond.
“I’m proud to become a Patron of Mandala Theatre Company. With the wealth of talent amongst the young performers and the inspiring leadership of Yasmin Sidhwa, the company creates not only great original drama, but also nurtures confident, informed and individual voices. These are the voices that will bring about change, social justice and greater connection”.
Rosie Pearson
Patron
Rosie was a journalist and teacher during the 1980s, then ran away to Jamaica,
returned in 1998, and rather to her own surprise bought and moved in to Asthall
Manor, where she has brought up two daughters, tried to complete a novel, and allowed extraordinary shapes in stone to perch in her garden, as creative director of on form sculpture.
She is currently a West Oxfordshire district councillor, for the
Green Party.
An optimist by nature, Rosie believes that human beings are capable of
finding a more generous and harmonious way to live on the earth than that which is currently considered normal. “I believe in the power of theatre to transcend the
differences between people and to make connections.”
Rosie was a journalist and teacher during the 1980s, then ran away to Jamaica,
returned in 1998, and rather to her own surprise bought and moved in to Asthall
Manor, where she has brought up two daughters, tried to complete a novel, and allowed extraordinary shapes in stone to perch in her garden, as creative director of on form sculpture.
She is currently a West Oxfordshire district councillor, for the
Green Party.
An optimist by nature, Rosie believes that human beings are capable of
finding a more generous and harmonious way to live on the earth than that which is currently considered normal. “I believe in the power of theatre to transcend the
differences between people and to make connections.”
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