Two founders. One shared creative practice.

Hayley Doubtfire

Co-Founder & Creative Producer

Strategy, producing, development, funding, communications, writing and partnership.

Hayley’s background spans theatre, writing, youth participation, mental health and creative project development.

She worked as a spoken word artist for more than a decade and has developed and led projects including Mouthy Poets, Write Minds and Writing Proud, creating opportunities for young people and LGBTQ+ communities to write, perform and tell their own stories.

Alongside her creative practice, Hayley has extensive experience in producing, production and stage management, fundraising, communications and programme development. Her work has included supporting productions, developing creative wellbeing projects and turning early ideas into sustainable programmes.

With a background in applied psychology, Hayley is particularly interested in the relationship between storytelling, identity, trauma and wellbeing.

Katie Doubtfire

Co-Founder & Artistic Director

Directing, participation, youth work, inclusion, performance and creative delivery.

Katie’s experience brings together performance, theatre-making, education, inclusion and direct work with young people.

She has worked in school and youth settings, supporting young people with a wide range of emotional, behavioural and additional needs. This experience shapes a creative approach that is structured, responsive and grounded in strong relationships.

Katie has directed, produced and supported youth theatre productions for the last 20 years. Her practice includes directing, performance, choreography, devising and helping young performers develop confidence, discipline and ownership of their work.

She brings practical rehearsal-room leadership alongside a strong understanding of how to create spaces in which young people feel safe enough to take creative risks.

Together

A complementary partnership

Artistic ambition supported by the systems, relationships and care needed to deliver it well.

Hayley and Katie have worked together for several years across youth theatre and creative production.

Through YMCA Productions, they have produced and directed shows, supported young casts through rehearsal and performance, and managed the practical work that happens both onstage and behind the scenes. Their joint projects have included full productions, devised work and performance events such as Miscast.

Their skills are deliberately complementary and together, they create work that is ambitious but accessible, artistically led but grounded in care, and shaped with participants rather than simply delivered to them.