Meet the Team
Durham Student Theatre is led by a team of 11 elected students. Serving under the President and their executive committee, they carry out a range of jobs and support all theatre companies.
The Executive Committee
Bethan Avery (she/her)
President
My name is Bethan Avery and I cannot wait to be the new DST president. I am going in to my final year as a History student (but don't stress, I haven't found my degree to be too much of an inconvenience). In my time at Durham so far, I have acted in 9 shows, produced 3, coordinated a national tour and even put on the inaugural annual Durham Taskmaster. I truly love this society so am absolutely thrilled to get the opportunity to lead it and hopefully improve it. My main goals are to ensure the welfare of all members of DST and to improve our outreach capabilities. I will endeavour to advocate for your needs and wants and be a friendly and approachable face for DST. If you have any questions about anything within DST, don't hesitate to send me an email, my inbox is always open.
Hi everyone! I’m Tim, a third-year Computer Science student from Stephenson College, and I’m delighted to be your Secretary for 2024/25. I’m a technician by DST-trade, and have loved diving into as many shows as I can manage, in a variety of roles from Sound Designer and Tech Swing, to Production Manager. My role this year is to facilitate DST’s web of activities – I organise the meetings, take minutes, write the mammoth weekly email and answer any questions that our members throw at me! That being said, my inbox is open to any questions – even if I can’t answer them, I will always find someone who can.
Tim Millard (he/him)
Secretary
Hiya! My name is Jo and I am so excited to be the incoming Treasurer for the 2024/2025 DST exec. In terms of the standard bits and bobs, I’m a third-year history student from Van Mildert College. However, perhaps more relevantly, I have performed or been involved in a bunch of productions in my first two years at durham, doing both straight plays and Musical Theatre, and am thrilled to be contributing to the continuation of such an amazing and enriching society!! In terms of what I can do for you, I’m basically the go to for everything money. If you have questions about all the mundane bits like show-budgeting, tax laws and reimbursement, or just want to discuss how you can best utilise your theatre company’s funds, drop me an email! I can’t wait to see you all around!
Jo Price (he/him)
Treasurer
Henry Flack (he/him)
Technical Manager
Hey everyone! I'm Henry, I'm a fourth-year MPhys Physics student at Hatfield. As Tech Manager, my role has a few main aspects: to ensure productions across Durham are safe, to ensure the technical components of theatre are of the highest possible quality, to help support productions' technical endeavours and to represent and support our technician community. I’m always happy to help with any questions or concerns you may have. Whether you need help getting started as a technician, how you can use tech to improve a project you’re working on, want to learn more about tech, or need support with your team, training or equipment - anything technical, I’m here to help! Stupid questions are more than welcome!
The Standing Commitee
Ollie Cochran (he/him)
Publicity and Marketing Officer
Hello everyone! My name is Ollie, and I am delighted to be your new publicity officer this year! I am a second-year John’s student, studying Spanish and Italian, and I have relished the opportunity to throw myself into DST in many capacities (although my degree has suffered slightly)! Although usually found on stage, I love all aspects of theatre and cannot stress the magnitude of opportunities that DST offers. My job this year is to manage the central DST social media accounts, as well as maintaining cohesive marketing across all theatre companies. I also am in charge of the DST website and making sure all information you might need is accessible. If you need any help with marketing and publicity for your show, please feel free to drop me a line.
Molly Bell (she/her)
Welfare and Inclusivity Officer
Hey everyone, I'm Molly, and I'm your new DST Welfare and Inclusivity Officer. I'm a second year from Stephenson studying Philosophy and Theology, though DST has probably formed a larger part of my time at Durham than my degree! I have taken part in eight productions thus far, a mixture of plays and musicals, as a member of both the cast and CPT. I am so excited to take on this role to contribute to the maintenance of a non-judgemental and non-discriminatory ethos in DST, so that everybody can feel comfortable in this amazing community. My job is to sort out welfare and inclusivity guidelines, resolve any welfare issues, and improve general DST well-being. Myself and a team of other trained welfare team members are here to help if shows or individuals would like any support or guidance.
Pearl D’Souza (she/her)
Outreach and Charities Officer
Hello! I’m Pearl and I’m a second year English Lit student from Chad’s. I am so excited to be your new Outreach and Charities Officer this year! I’ve been involved in quite a few DST shows so far such as ‘An Ideal Husband’ and ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’. I’m here to support DST theatre companies in all their charitable endeavours. This includes running events in the local community, raising awareness for causes, fundraising for charities and much more! I’m also involved in running various projects such as volunteering in local primary schools and at Durham Pride! If you have any questions or want me to promote your outreach, drop me an email or DM our wonderfully green Instagram, @dst_outreach.
Henry Skinner (he/they)
Events Co-ordinator
Hi everyone! My name is Henry, and I’m a second year currently studying English at H*tfield College. My role as Events Coordinator puts me in charge of all aspects of the social calendar within DST, ranging from assigning DST “families” at the start of Michaelmas to organising our end of year awards ceremony, the “D’Oscars”. Other highlights include the externally-judged “D’Oliviers” following the Durham Drama Festival, alongside our annual Christmas party in December. Having been involved in a variety of DST productions both on and off the stage, feel free to ask me anything about any aspect of DST, events related or not!
Sarah Kelly (she/her)
First Night Editor
Hello! I'm Sarah, an MA English student at Stephenson and I am so excited to run as the First Night editor in the upcoming academic year! First Night is a fantastic publication that vows to review every show put on within DST, and it is my job to ensure that every show has a review, and edit it in a timely manner so companies can use reviews for promotional purposes. First Night is a wonderful subset of the DST community, and allows reviewers to become involved in DST in a manner that broaches both theatre and journalism, and of course reviewers get a free ticket! If you'd like to get involved, please join the 'DST First Night Contributors' page on Facebook.
Hello! I’m Jude, a second year studying Ancient, Medieval and Modern History at Hild Bede. In my first year, I loved getting involved with plenty of DST productions, from the freshers’ play to all sorts of musical theatre and showcases. I am very excited to be your Festivals Secretary this year, organising the annual Durham Drama Festival, a highlight of the DST calendar. Taking place in Epiphany Term, I am responsible for putting on this celebration of student writing, creativity and talent. From selecting scripts to booking venues, I am determined to make this year’s DDF the biggest and best it can be! Make sure to look out for announcements about the festival on the main Student Theatre and DDF Instagram.
Jude Battersby (he/him)
Festivals Secretary
Estelle Pollard-Cox (she/her)
Workshops Secretary
Hi! I’m Estelle, a second year Hild Bede student studying English Literature and I am so excited to be this year’s Workshops Secretary! I have loved being involved in DST this year through both acting and the creative side of student theatre. My main focus this year is organising the workshops weekend which involves professionally run workshops from phenomenal drama school tutors, along side many other exciting workshops for students. From acting to tech to creative production I am determined to run inviting workshops where everyone feels creative! My emails are open to all and I am excited to help with any company workshops alongside my own.
Assembly Rooms Staff Members
DST would not be able to function without the full-time staff members, based in the Assembly Rooms Theatre, who facilitate all the excellent student theatre.
Lewis Wilkinson (he/him)
Assistant Manager of Performing Arts
Lewis is from Durham, and graduated with a music degree from Durham University in 2016. He was then a brass instrumental music teacher with Durham Music Service before completing his Master’s degree in Conducting from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Outside of his work with Durham University Performing Arts, Lewis has a busy and varied portfolio career as a conductor, sousaphonist, trombonist and actor. He is particularly passionate about the cultural and creative links that can be cultivated between the university and its wider community.
Ellen Olley (she/her)
Audience Development and Engagement Co-ordinator
Ellen is originally from Ely in the Fenlands, and graduated from Durham Law School in 2023. She has worked in the Performing Arts team for over two years now, as the theatre Internal Hires Coordinator, Student Theatre Coordinator, and now in her new brand new role facilitating marketing and outreach. Alongside her work at the University, Ellen also offers marketing and logistic support to arts organisations around the North East.
Molly Knox (she/they)
Theatre Coordinator
Molly is one of the incoming Theatre Coordinators, and is currently finishing up her MA in Ethnomusicology having also done her undergraduate degree in Music here in Durham. As a student, she was the president of Wrong Tree and worked with various theatre companies, in roles ranging from Producer, to Director, to Tech.
Caleb Mock (he/him)
Theatre Coordinator
Caleb recently graduated from Durham with his BA in Music. In his third year, he was the President of Durham Opera Ensemble and conductor of the Orchestral Society’s Chamber Orchestra. He had previously conducted the Classical Ensemble and worked extensively as a musical director and chorusmaster for the Opera Ensemble.
James Fox-Robinson (he/him)
Performing Arts Technician
James is our Theatre Technician. He comes from a background in set design and lighting but has experience in all aspects of theatre. He works with student technicians to help everyone be creatively and safely involved in the tech process.