As the Founder and Chief Executive of Unlock Drama, Rebecca steers a Community Interest Company committed to rehabilitation and personal transformation through the power of applied theatre. Established in 2014, Unlock Drama harnesses the unique properties of drama to facilitate social change, particularly within prisons and marginalised communities across the UK.
Rebecca's academic foundation in Applied Theatre was laid at Loughborough University in 2008, followed by a specialised Master’s from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, focusing on the Criminal Justice System in 2011. This academic pursuit transitioned into a profound professional calling when Rebecca initiated a pivotal 18-month full-time drama residency at HMPYOI Doncaster, directly engaging with inmates to foster change through artistic expression.
Unlock Drama's journey began from her two decades of drama experience, directly facilitating theatre with diverse groups including young offenders and adult prisoners. This extensive ground-level work informed the development of UD’s innovative approach, which has been recognised with numerous awards including 'Best Rehabilitation Social Enterprise 2023'. Rebecca's role encompasses project management, developing impactful partnerships, and mentoring the next generation of applied theatre practitioners, ensuring that Unlock Drama interventions are meticulously tailored to meet the nuanced needs of our participants.
Under Rebecca's leadership, Unlock Drama has become a key player in the field, managing significant contracts under the Prison Dynamic Purchasing System (PEDPS), collaborating with healthcare partners such as Practice Plus Group, NHS England/Oxleas and Change Grow Live, and expanding into preventative initiatives for youth at risk.
With a firm belief in the transformative power of theatre, Rebecca is dedicated to continuing this journey, ensuring that every project not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters long-term societal benefits.
Rebecca is a Fellow of The School for Social Entrepreneurs; from completing The Lloyd’s Bank, Community Lottery; Trade Up programme class of 21/22: https://www.the-sse.org/courses/lloyds-bank-social-entrepreneurs-trade-up-programme/ and UnLtd Scaling Up Social Entrepreneur Award.
Tristan first experienced how powerful Applied Theatre in prison can be when serving time in HMP & YOI Doncaster. Rebecca recruited him to edit the prison’s magazine and, above and beyond that role, he went on to take part in many of the drama projects that she ran during her time there. One that left a real impression on him involved young people at risk of offending coming into the prison and taking part in a piece of forum theatre that showed them how easy it could be for one bad decision to lead to them finding themselves in a similar position to his. A truly inspirational experience for the prisoners and young people alike.
Since his time inside he has made great strides to turn his life around and is now a passionate and supportive Health & Fitness Coach and Bodyworker. He and Rebecca stayed in touch and, after his release, continued the Mentorship that grew while working together years before.
He continues his involvement with the arts having achieved a distinction in a Foundation Year in Art & Design at Doncaster College while in open prison and is now in two separate music projects. He will freely admit that not only did the arts save his soul when he found himself in the dark place that prison can be but they continue to bring light to his life ever since.
Ruth has 25 years background as an IT consultant within the banking and insurance sectors. During this time, Ruth gained invaluable experience in the relationships and communication between user departments and the systems software implementation teams, during IT projects. Ruth’s career took a different turn, when after one of her children was diagnosed to be on the Autistic Spectrum, she became interested in developmental education. Ruth retrained as a teacher and worked in the special education sector for 10 years.
Ruth has always been passionate about enabling all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, life experiences or special needs, to reach their full potential.
Her role in the organisation is to liaise with Unlock Drama’s accountants and to ensure that the plan for Unlock Drama to reach a wider variety of participants both in the community and prison estate is fulfilled.
Conor is an entrepreneur and business owner. Through first-hand experience, he has developed web presence which show attention to detail and are fully representative of his businesses. Social media is an important aspect of any business, enabling an extensive audience to be reached.
Conor is very enthusiastic about making sure that the central message of unlocking the potential of all participants of Unlock Drama’s projects is portrayed via social media in an appropriate manner.
Lorraine is a Fellow Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (FMAAT) with extensive experience in finance, particularly within the charity and Community Interest Company (CIC) sectors. With over 20 years working in the arts and theatre industry, she has held senior roles as Financial Controller and Finance Director, overseeing Finance, HR, and Administration. Lorraine is known for her dedication to excellence and has earned a strong reputation for her successful leadership in these fields.
Her passion for the creative industries and their transformative impact led her to Unlock Drama, an organisation that aligns perfectly with her expertise. Here, she uses her financial and leadership skills to support the mission of enhancing and improving lives through the arts, especially within the prison sector.
Unlock Drama has a pool of facilitators with Applied Theatre experience and qualifications or adequate relevant experience who are trained by Rebecca Boden or Lead Facilitators by working on-site as freelance Co-Facilitators. All staff complete necessary vetting and safeguarding training at institutions as and when required. Staff comply with health and safety regulations and adhere with each establishments rules and regulations.
Elsie studied Theatre and Performance at Plymouth University and graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) degree and a Special Achiever’s Award. During this time she focused primarily on how performance can be a transformative process for those in prison - both on a personal and political level. Elsie then undertook an MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Glasgow University and graduated with Distinction. She started working for UD in early 2023 and has worked on topics such as violence reduction, substance misuse, and mental health, at: HMPYOI Moorland, HMP Guys Marsh, HMP Wakefield, HMP Warren Hill, HMP Ranby and HMP Dovegate. Elsie also facilitated community rehabilitation projects in Shaw Trust’s CFO Activity Hubs working with participants on probation.
Previously to UD, Elsie worked with Apex Scotland supporting men within the criminal justice system to establish meaningful connections in the community and find employment. She also delivered educational courses to individuals completing Community Payback Orders. Previously to that, Elsie worked as a drama practitioner with the Respect and Protect Project delivering theatre projects to non-mainstream schools, supporting children to manage their relationships more effectively. She worked as a mentor at HMP Barlinnie and HMP Low Moss for over two years, helping individuals with aspects of their lives such as housing and employment ready for their release.
Ana has over 17 years of experience in social work, specifically using arts with vulnerable communities. In 2006, she co-founded VOCES Foundation, a pioneering Spanish charity dedicated to engaging with hard-to-reach groups through the arts. She has managed cultural projects in 16 countries, including locations in Europe, Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
In 2016, Ana founded the 16 Km Cultural Festival, an award-winning festival held annually in Cañada Real, Madrid, Europe's largest informal settlement, which is home to some 7,600 people of 17 different nationalities and ethnic groups.
As a theatre professional, Ana has extensive experience as an actor, playwright and director, having led workshops, devised and directed plays for diverse groups: youths in developing countries, young refugees, migrant women, mental health and NHS dialysis patients, people who have experienced homelessness and women survivors of trafficking, among others.
Within the criminal justice system, Ana boasts significant expertise as a drama facilitator. She has implemented drama projects for both ex-offenders and serving prisoners, collaborating with organisations such as Synergy Theatre Project and Clean Break. Ana joined Unlock Drama in 2022, where she has led workshops for ex-offenders at multiple CFO Activity Hubs in association with Shaw Trust and Nehemiah Project, and facilitated workshops for prisoners at HMP Portland, HMP Guys Marsh, HMP Elmley, HMP Warren Hill, HMP Dovegate.
Ana holds an MA in Applied Theatre from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Kath graduated with a first in Drama, Applied Theatre and Education from RCSSD in 2015 and has extensive experience engaging hard to reach young people from her decade in the field. Having specialised in Theatre in Prisons at RCSSD (placement HMPYOI Doncaster, Placement Host UD’s Founder Rebecca Boden and HMP Thameside with Second Shot Production), Kath has delivered with UD since 2018 working at the following prisons: HMP Nottingham, HMP Liverpool, HMP Hewell, HMYOI Swinfen Hall, HMYOI Aylesbury, HMP Peterborough, HMP Lindholme, HMP Guys Marsh, YOI Werrington and HMP Doncaster. Kath delivered our community rehabilitation projects in Shaw Trust’s CFO Activity Hubs working with participants on probation. Kath has also facilitated projects with UD at a number of Secure Children’s Homes’s including: Lincolnshire Secure Unit, Vinney Green Secure Unit and Aldine House Secure Unit.
Outside of her work with Unlock, Kath brings her expertise when designing and delivering specialist interventions across the youth and criminal justice fields ranging from employability programmes for young men in probation, one to one mentoring for young women in HMP Downview and peer support programmes for perinatal women and health advocacy in HMP Peterborough.
Kath also provides training and consultancy for Youth Organisations around Safeguarding, Supporting additional Needs, Trauma Informed working, Strength based coaching and Working with those at risk. Kath has a track record of engaging young people and adults who experience complex disadvantage and believes that every person should have the opportunity to succeed within informal and formal educational settings.
Nicola (Nikki) has a deep passion for combining creativity, communication and the arts to positively engage and empower people. This is highlighted particularly through her love and belief in the use of drama and theatre.
Nikki studied at Queens University Belfast, gaining a 2:1 BA honours degree in Drama and Politics and her career path has since interwoven her heart for people and the arts. She qualified as a Youth Work Practitioner for Youth Initiatives in 2009-2015, working with vulnerable young people aged 11-21 in socio-economic deprivation areas. Within this role she mentored young people, facilitated schools’ workshops and led intercultural short-term service trips. During this time, she also taught GCSE Drama and Theatre Studies at Secondary School level in a part-time capacity.
In 2015, Nikki relocated to Birmingham, to prioritise her personal career development in pursuit of a career focus in the arts, taking up employment with Riverside Performing Arts. This position was a multi-faceted role where her responsibilities included; acting, writing, directing, production, and workshop facilitation in schools, theatres, communities, prisons and festivals. Nikki was lead workshop writer and facilitator on TIE projects, and dedicated writer for numerous community and schools shows, namely the touring shows The Shepherd Girl’s Story, Elmer’s Walk (EYFS,KS1) and Head Space (KS2). Nikki has a particular interest in using theatre for exploring Mental Health issues. Head Space and Elmer’s Walk are both written with a particular focus on Mental Health and Well-Being, and are still touring shows with the company today, alongside accompanying TIE workshops also written and created by Nikki. As focused research into these projects Nikki also became a qualified Mental Health First Aider for Children and Young People under Mental Health England.
During this time, at Riverside Performing Arts, Nikki took on additional work. She worked as Drama & Comedy Tutor for the Pauline Quirke Academy, which entailed weekly creation and facilitation of lessons for 4-18 year olds involving directing, casting and production and a final showcase performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre London, West End. She also took on work as a freelance speaker and facilitator for commissioned community, external and training events.
In 2020, Nikki became a published author with Bear Press Ltd, with her children’s fiction book Happy Harry’s World Turns Upside Down which aims to provide children with vocabulary when dealing with adversity, and helps them reflect on their emotional well-being through the eyes of a little boy called Harry.
Nikki has been delivering for Unlock Drama since 2017. She has delivered projects on Substance Misuse, Mental Health, Gang Culture and Violence Reduction. Prisons she has delivered in include, HMYOI Swinfen Hall, HMP Hewell, HMP Doncaster, HMP Lindholme, HMP Wymott, HMP Moorlands andHMYOI Werrington.
Nikki has also delivered projects in Secure Children’s Homes including: Lincolnshire Secure Unit, Vinney Green Secure Unit and Aldine House Secure Unit.
Nikki has also delivered in previous Shaw Trust CFO Activity Hubs with participants on Probation in Wolverhampton and Peterborough.
Nikki strives to bring a creative and person-focused flair gained through her diverse career experience, and is dedicated in her work with Unlock Drama to positively engage theatre in the Criminal Justice System.
Vicki has always been passionate about using the arts as a tool for transformation, empowerment, advocacy and healing. This led her to study Drama, Applied Theatre and Education at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, graduating in 2007 with a 2:1 BA (Hons) degree before heading to Singapore as an intern with Centre Stage School of Performing Arts.
Upon her return to the UK in 2008, Vicki worked in a Pupil Referral Unit with young people aged 11-16, where she was a key worker for a number of students excluded from mainstream education. This gave Vicki a heart for those who others ‘write off’ as she learned more about the cycles of poverty, systemic injustice and the impact on vulnerable people leading to crime. As a practicing Christian, in 2010, Vicki undertook a training year with Riverside Performing Arts, a Christian Performing Arts School in Birmingham, later working on staff as Theatre Company Team Leader.
In 2016, Vicki became a freelance community creative practitioner, working with a variety of different organisations to provide drama workshops in mental health settings, drug rehabilitation drop ins, in older people’s care settings, schools, churches, youth groups and more. Vicki worked with Rideout (Creative Arts for Rehabilitation) on projects at HMPYOI Swinfen Hall and HMP Warren Hill.
Vicki joined the Unlock Drama team in 2017, and has worked on a number of projects looking at violence reduction, substance misuse, mental health and restoring family ties across different Prisons, YOI’s and within community rehabilitation projects in Shaw Trust’s CFO Activity Hubs working with participants on probation. Prisons with Unlock Drama include: HMYOI Werrington, HMP Oakwood, HMYOI Brinsford, HMP Leicester and HMP Elmley.
A keen learner, Vicki graduated from All Nations Christian College in 2019 with First Class honours degree in Biblical and Intercultural Studies, specialising in community development, Poverty and Justice Studies and Arts. She is currently studying Arts and Trauma Healing with Dallas International University, developing therapeutic practice to compliment her applied theatre experience. Vicki is also Founder or Endeavour 831, a Christian Arts ministry focused on advocacy, empowerment and justice, through which she has presented work at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and has been a speaker and presenter for different arts networks and conferences including the Global Consultation for Arts and Music in Missions. Vicki sits on a number of roundtables, championing the use of arts in empowerment and community restoration.
Madelaine graduated with distinction in MA Applied Theatre from RCSSD in 2011. Since then she has worked in a wide variety of participatory settings, including prisons and pupil referral units. She has worked with UD since 2016 where she has delivered work on topics such as Substance Misuse and Violence Reduction at: HMP Wymott, HMP The Mount, HMP Hull, and HMP New Hall. In 2012, she was part of the ambitious theatre and music project at HMP The Mount with Rideout, Music In Prisons, the London Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the BBC Big Noise Radio series.
She has also delivered at HMP Littlehey with Synergy Theatre, and between 2011-13 worked in the community with ex-offenders through Only Connect, managing the members monthly open mic event. Alongside this, she has worked extensively in community settings with participants in recovery, those experiencing homelessness in arts settings/drop-in centres, and men with chronic mental health conditions. She was trained in Forum Theatre and Jokering by Cardboard Citizens. Her methodology is a strongly trauma informed approach, and draws on P.A.C.E. theory which focuses on the needs of the whole person, rather than their behaviour.
