Company Founders

Suzy Gunn, CEO

Suzy trained in Contemporary theatre and has been involved in the creative industries for over 20 years. She is passionate about creating contemporary art accessible for everyone. She loves performing in all guises, touring the UK with HandMade to festivals, theatres and unusual sites.

Suzy has dedicated her work to supporting adults with dementia for the past 10 years bringing high quality arts experiences to those who may be struggling to connect with the world around them. She is currently delivering a three-year project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund to expand work in care homes and community settings and bring joy to those living with dementia.



Amy Nicholson, Creative Director

Amy trained as a Theatre Designer at Nottingham Trent University, followed by an MA from Wimbledon. She is currently undertaking a PhD in Outdoor Arts and Technology at Central. She has worked on a broad range of professional design projects including sets, costumes, puppets, props, masks and make-up for both theatre and film. 

Alongside this industry-based practise Amy has worked in education delivering a broad range of music, drama and art based workshops. Amy is an associate lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, a qualified Art & Design teacher,  and has experience delivering musical interaction therapy.  

Amy specialises in puppetry both as a maker and performer. She has made a wide range of professional touring puppets both for HandMade Theatre and as commissions.  

Associate Artists

 Benjamin McElroy: Musician & Performer:

Ben is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, lyricist and performer. He graduated from New College Nottingham in 2008 with a degree in Sonic Arts. Ben has performed in a number of bands, travelling Europe and the UK. Ben also works as a private instrumental teacher and is interested in music as therapy, having worked at various special needs schools.

Lil Davis: Musician & Performer:

Lil grew up in Israel and trained at Cygnet Training Theatre, Exeter. Her work includes 'The Biggest Tarantino Fan in The World' (Arcola Theatre), 'Thought to Flesh' (Vault Festival). 

Tom Byrne: Musician & Performer

Thomas Byrne is an actor, musician, and puppeteer based in Manchester. As a freelancer, specialising in work for young people and family audiences, he has worked with companies such as Horse and Bamboo, Whalley Range All Stars, Plungeboom, Handmade Theatre, and Wild Rumpus as well as continuing to make his own work both as an independent and within Scallywags Theatre Company CIC (2014-2021), who create entertaining and engaging interactive theatre pieces for young people of all ages and abilities. Thomas is particularly passionate about taking theatre out of traditional performance spaces and bringing work directly into communities, as he believes this can create a more exciting and engaging experience, giving participants a greater sense of ownership and connection. He also has a very curly moustache and likes eating rich tea biscuits whilst reading a good book.

Ben Thomas: Set builder & Co Designer

Ben trained as a furniture maker and designer.  He is a social Entrepreneur and worked at Start Creative, Salford for many years, where he ran the community workshop.  He is passionate about nature, wood and traditional skills.  He designs and builds bespoke wooden structures for festivals, events and community settings. He has played a key part in developing the Handmade Theatre style and sustainable ethos.

Becky Matter: Musician & Performer

Becky caught the theatre bug as a teenager over 50 years ago and has been lucky enough to pursue her passion as actor, director and teacher over all all those years. She has lived in Nottingham since 1988 and these days spends her time with the wonderful Handmade Theatre performing to children and singing in memory cafes and care homes.

Karla Jones: Movement Facilitator
Karla is creatively interested in how art connects us to our humanity, place, and movement as medicine. She specialises in working with older adults in both the community and professional settings. She leads seated movement sessions across Gedling borough as part of HandMade's weekly programme as well as her own projects supported by the Jigsaw Homes Foundation. She also runs the Generate Network, which hosts workshops and projects for older adults interested in dance performance and in creating international-profile work. Karla strives for universal accessibility in everything she does and loves being part of the vibrant HandMade team and connecting to participants across Nottinghamshire.
website: www.karlajones.com Instagram: karla.m.jones

Miriam Keye: Movement Facilitator
Born in Nottingham, Miriam trained at De Montfort University, Leicester and Earthdance Centre for Dance Improvisation in Massachusetts. She co-created a buto-inspired street performance called The Silver Swimmers, which she self-produced and toured extensively across the UK, Canada, the US, Japan, and Australia. She likes to think of herself as a dance explorer bringing together performance, yoga, TCM, multi-sensory approaches and trauma-informed somatic practice., Rooted in inclusive practice with curiosity and humour. Miriam loves being part of Handmade Theatre, where the audience sits at the heart of everything the company creates. That shared space — where people meet the work in their own way — is what she loves most

Niamh Hine: Actor/Musician

Niamh is an actor-musician from the Staffordshire Moorlands and trained at East 15 Acting School. Specialising in folk music, banjo and puppetry, she is passionate about sharing high-quality family theatre with those who experience it least.  Recent credits include Pianist/Drummer in The Little Mermaid (New Vic Theatre), Banjoist in New Faces (The Players Music Hall), Hare in Hare and Tortoise (Buxton Opera House), and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth (Castle Park Theatre). Niamh has been touring with Handmade since 2024, with The Puppet Petting Farm and is a core part of the devising and touring team for The Butterfly House (2026).

Board of Directors

We are incredibly lucky to have an amazing board of directors dedicated to developing our creative and charity-focused work. These talented and busy individuals give their time and expertise generously to support the company. Thank you!

Helen Stevens

Ellen Hart

Charlotte Aikens

Sean Myatt

Tina Carter