Who we are
Speak Woman Speak was born out of speaking and listening a lot with cups of coffee and tea. After exchanging our diverse backgrounds and heritage we felt empowered and we thought it would be great a way to empower other women and men. We are interested in using theatre as a platform to shout out our political stance. Speak Woman Speak is an all female Leeds based theatre collective. We make devised work highlighting hidden stories about women from diverse backgrounds.
Leah Francis
Leah Francis is a performer and facilitator and has experience in writing and theatre making. She trained for a degree in BA Hons Drama at Northumbria University, Newcastle. Since finishing her degree she has worked for various companies including Live Theatre Newcastle, West Yorkshire Playhouse and Freedom Studios. Her passion lies in creating theatre involving song, movement and spoken word that seeks to empower the community.
Carmen Martorell
Carmen Martorell is a performer with experience as a facilitator,producer and project manager. She trained at Institut del Teatre in Barcelona and Rose Bruford College, London. Since arriving in Leeds in 2012 she has worked with a variety of highly regarded companies such as Red Ladder, Freedom Studios and the Suitcase Ensemble. Her passion is working with women’s stories and exploring physical theatre, dance text and music. She keeps training with different companies like Obra Theatre, physical theatre company based in the South of France.
Beth Kilburn (Co-devisor/Performer on White Walls)
Beth is a freelance actor, artist, writer and musician from Leeds, with a background in grassroots theatre and live performance. Her work as a composer and writer attempts to traverse and map the emotional landscape of complex trauma, and encourage release, healing and integration.
Mojisola Elofowoju (Director/ Dramaturg for White Walls)
Mojisola is an award-winning theatre director and workshop facilitator of Nigerian descent. She is the Founder and Artistic Director of Utopia Theatre Company. Mojisola is passionate about the growth and development of ethnic minorities in the theatre industry.
Joanna Jowett
Joanna Jowett is a producer, writer and freelance arts marketing and communications manager and consultant. With over 15 years experience working for arts organisations and educational institutes, Joanna works with a range of art organisations and theatre companies in a freelance capacity. Joanna has produced events including live performances, panel discussions, networking events, films, festivals and multi-disciplinary events in a range of settings. Joanna is also an artist and writer, working across the fields of performance, theatre and visual art and producing events and publications as co-director of COPY, an artists publishing platform delivering writing and publishing projects.