What We Do
“Highly Sprung’s work makes you think; makes you feel; makes you feel alive.”
We put young people at the heart of our work in ways no other company does. We know that every young person, regardless of their starting point, has great potential and is able to use their body as a creative tool. Through a genuinely open creative process, using our own physical theatre techniques, we empower every young person to explore how their body can be used to develop their own unique performing style.
This way of working drives our ideas too. Every piece we make is original and devised by our young people, together with our core team of artists and writers. We might take a theme, story or a text, and give the whole company creative responsibility for where we go with it. This way of working breaks down barriers, gives equal weight to everyone’s unique contribution, and results in extraordinary creativity.
What People Say
Our Impact
audiences saw our work
hours of teaching
hours were spent in rehearsal
We ran
workshops over the year – more than 1 a day!
We held
hours of artist training
new pieces of performance created
We performed 5 indoor touring dates across 4 areas
West Midlands, North East, South East, Lincolnshire
Roots & the Urban Astronaut performed at 16 outdoor dates across 3 countries
England, Spain & Czechia
We built 3 fantastic new structures
Our SBNH climbing frame, a brand new flying machine & our inflatable performance space
Our Values
Ambitious
for our audiences and for the young people we work with. We know young people are capable of great things and we can help realise these ambitions.
Curious
about everything. We are continually exploring and discovering stories that deserve to be told. Provoking curiosity in others.
Bold
in challenging expectation and convention, in making work that’s brave and feels right. But we’re never arrogant or aggressive.
Open
in how we work. Making the creative process transparent and accessible to everyone. Opening our minds to new ideas, and our eyes to finding and nurturing new talent.
Inventive
and prepared to push boundaries when we need to. We’re always exploring new ways to create and make work, taking risks along the way. Our imaginations are limitless.
Playful
making it easy to be creative and motivated, breaking down boundaries and enabling the exploration of new ideas. For us, playing is serious.
A core aspect of our values is a deep commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, and to addressing the Climate & Ecological Emergency. See our current statements on these issues below.
Our Team
Executive Director
Artistic Director
Project Administrator
Associate Artist and Schools Development Co-Ordinator
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
General Administrator
Our Board
Chair: Amanda Campbell
Amanda runs her own business as an executive coach, communications and sustainability advisor. An experienced business leader, she has spent over 25 years in corporate affairs, sustainability and marketing and has deep expertise in driving transformational change and influencing a more sustainable approach to business. Early career in consumer marketing before corporate affairs and sustainability roles in listed real estate companies most recently as Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director. Amanda is a founding trustee of Highly Sprung.
Dav Kaur
Dav is a Coventry based activist, passionate about social causes relating to young people & women, especially South Asian women. Professionally, she has carved a career as a mentor, business consultant , web designer and in social media management. She is also a creative writer and poet. As a South Asian Ambassador for Artspace, she is looking to work more closely with the arts sector and to support South Asian artists. Dav is keen to share her expertise in organising events such as TEDXCoventry and International Womens Day and to give local artists an opportunity to take part in these events.
Claire Singleton
Claire Singleton is a retired solicitor who specialised in employment law. She has a long-standing interest in young people and education having been a school governor and more recently a Multi Academy Trust trustee for over 20 years. Claire is a founding trustee of Highly Sprung.
Ros Adams
Ros is currently the Director of Funding and Partnerships for Geese Theatre Company, after finding her niche in arts fundraising back in 2008. Passionate about co-creation and the power of the arts to change lives, Ros is also the proud mum of a Sprungster.
Emma Gibbons
Emma is an arts project manager who has worked in Dance and Theatre for over 15 years leading engagement programmes with schools and communities. Currently Placemaking Projects Manager for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Emma has a proven track record of leading complex, multi-stakeholder cultural projects with a current focus on developing place-based infrastructure to enable better access to cultural experiences for all. Emma has spent 3 years as a school governor and is driven by developing systems and solutions that create positive change.
Jo Trowsdale
An associate Professor in Education at the University of Suffolk, Jo is an educator and researcher. Her particular focus is on the culture of art-making, as emotive, physical and cognitive practices. She has extensive experience as a former regional director of a government initiative to enhance the role of the arts and creativity in UK education (Creative Partnerships). A former drama and English teacher and teacher educator, Jo’s practice still involves working directly with schools, teachers, pupils and artists. Her current research includes interest in the role of the arts in STEAM (science, technology, arts, mathematics and engineering) education. Jo is a founding trustee of Highly Sprung.