"Happiness is not in the mere
possession of money;
it lies in the joy of achievement,
in the thrill of creative effort."

Franklin D Roosevelt

Who's Who

Ian Ross, Christine Harmar-Brown and Nikki Tompsett form the key members of the Management and Programming Team. Between them they have extensive experience in the performing and visual arts.

Ian Ross has worked in theatre for the past twenty years as both an independent producer and in Executive Management roles in a number of large-scale venues including Norwich Theatre Royal, Churchill Theatre Bromley, Shaftsbury Theatre, London and Cambridge Arts Theatre. In addition to work as a theatre producer with credits including West End transfers of commercial musicals such as Boogie Nights, and The Goodbye Girl, Ian Ross has produced a number of national and international tours including The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard (co-production with Bristol Old Vic and ACT productions) and Happy Natives by Greig Coatzee (Co-produced with Soho Theatre Company) touring to Europe and South Africa. In his role as Executive Director of Cambridge Arts Theatre and as Deputy Chief Executive of Norwich Theatre Royal, Ian Ross produced, on their behalf, productions of Wagner's Ring Cycle. At Norwich Theatre Royal, he brought The National Theatre of Norway's production to Norwich as part of the East of England's Year of Musical Theatre. Since re-locating to the South East Ian has produced consultancy services to, amongst others: Hastings Borough Council, SoCo, Dab Arts, Hastings Philharmonic Choir, Fireraisers Theatre Co and New Vic Workshops and acted as a mentor with All Ways Learning. He is currently Producer for the Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company.

Christine Harmar-Brown has combined work as a writer and freelance director with a period in television as script editor on Casualty and then as Head of Development with La Plante Productions. Recent theatre credits include 15 Minutes developed with the Royal National Theatre Studio, Carol, The Street and the Incident, all plays for young people and Blessings. Television and film include 'Freshments', 'Inside Out' and 'Supply and Demand'. Christine has directed for The Royal Court, The Tricycle Theatre, Soho Theatre and a number of independent companies and she has worked with several solo artists including Pam Ann, Amy Lame and Laslo Pearlman. In addition to her writing and directing work, Christine has extensive experience of running and managing workshops and educational projects and has undertaken a number of projects with Creative Partnerships, is a member of the Soho Theatre Connect team and is part of the New Writing South education team. Recent commissions include Roofless for Dab Arts and Pulse and Tomorrow was only Yesterday for Peer Productions.

Nikki Tompsett completed a Master of Fine Art with a distinction from Reading University in 1999 and continues her own practice as a painter whilst developing as a freelance designer and educator. Nikki co-founded Todds Gallery in 2006, combining the sale of contemporary art works with the creation of a strategic arts business, encouraging dynamic collaborations between artists from different backgrounds. Her extensive experience in art education includes running a programme of contemporary art workshops alongside exhibitions, working with Project Art Works, Fellowship of St Nicks and collaborating with Kenton Lowe with On the Line in Robertsbridge.

Sally Lampitt is our press and marketing manager. Contact her on sallylampitt@yahoo.co.uk or 07751 250398.

Gemma Vliers is our administrative assistant. Contact her with general enquiries on info@theschoolcreativecentre.co.uk or 01797 229 797.