About

WHAT DO WE DO?

Theatre Tots Ltd produces workshops, shows and books for early years' children and their grown up friends, family and teachers. We started in 2008 in south east London and are now very proud to see our curriculum and shows around the world. Theatre Tots also takes commissions from museums to enable families with younger children to engage with the history or culture and runs a Story Seekers programme for children over 5.
Everything we do is interactive and includes original music.

WHY DO WE DO IT?

Mostly because we love it. And we passionately believe drama and creativity in general is a vital part of any child's life.

The imagination is one of our most valuable assets. It's unique to us, free and boundless. It helps us to create and understand worlds and people beyond our own realities. It starts with our everyday surroundings, events and objects. Exploring our imaginations doesn't need to be expensive or complicated. Drama skills don't need to lead to being a Hollywood star. Heightened imagination skills at an early age lead to flexible thinkers and good problem solving skills, important life lessons for anyone. We are passionate about finding the 'imagination in the everyday' and the process, rather than the product, of drama work. We seek to transform anything into everything, promoting confident, creative and flexible young minds. Performance is brilliant too but not at the sacrifice of process.

We are very proud of the originality of our work. Everything we do is written by us and developed 'on the ground' with little people. Theatre Tots has published 6 books (more on their way!) - those and our CDS can be purchased here

We hope you enjoy a trip around our website!

Warm wishes

Theatre Tots

Woodbank School, Bury

I am so glad that we have found such a professional, imaginative and enthusiastic company specifically aimed at EYFS – I will certainly be singing you praises to colleagues in other settings.”

Woodbank School, Bury

WHO ARE WE?
Laura James
Founder Director - info@theatretots.com

Laura set up Theatre Tots in 2007 to combine her two favourite things - theatre and children. Seeing a gap in the early years drama market Laura set about writing a new curriculum for children under 7. This quickly expanded to shows, books and bespoke work. Theatre Tots is now taught in the UK, China, Qatar and the USA. Prior to Theatre Tots Laura was a touring actress and drama facilitator travelling wherever the work took her. She now has 3 boys and as well as Theatre Tots is a director of Under 1 Roof Kids in London.

Helen Marshall
Branch Owner Theatre Tots Manchester - Helen@theatretots.com

Helen is a freelance drama facilitator and performer. After training at Cumbria Institute of the Arts she worked for Theatre Tots Ltd before being inspired to return home to her roots and open Theatre Tots Manchester. Helen has worked for a range of creative education companies including Bigfoot, Freshwater Theatre and West Yorkshire Playhouse. She works alongside North West Drama running ‘Speech Bubbles’ – a project which uses drama to develop communication development within KS1.

She also runs Allotment Theatre Company which promotes intergenerational friendships in her community and is having a book published next year.

Hannah Parsonage

Branch Owner Theatre Tots North East - Hannah@theatretots.com

Hannah has been delivering drama and dance workshops for 15 years since gaining a first class performing arts degree. She has worked and performed for many Theatre Education Companies such as; Bigfoot, Live Theatre (Newcastle), Them Wifies and Freshwater. Hannah originally worked for Theatre Tots in London for over 3 years but when an opportunity arose to open a branch in Sunderland, Theatre Tots North East was born!

Anne-Marie Lee

Branch Owner Theatre Tots Lehigh Valley, USA - Annemarie@theatretots.com
 
Anne-Marie grew up in Chasetown, Staffordshire. She loved taking part in school plays, talent shows and pageants. She studied at Salford University, graduating with a BA in performing arts. She now lives in Pennsylvania, USA, with her husband, son and daughter, dog and hamster, and runs Theatre Tots USA, Lehigh Valley.

Sian Martin

Branch Owner Theatre Tots Doha - Sian@theatretots.com
 
Siân has a first class degree in acting for stage and media. She has vast experience as a qualified drama teacher in the UK and has also worked with Moving On Theatre Company, Spain and TheatreTrain, UK amongst others. Until recently, Siân lived and worked in Qatar as Head of Drama in an international school where her first child was born. It was here that Siân set up Theatre Tots Doha. Siân leaves TTD in safe hands as she and her family move to Houston, Texas. Watch this space for Theatre Tots Houston.

Rachel Newby

Lead Facilitator and Marketing Manager - Rachel@theatretots.com

Rachel's love of dance started early. She attended dance lessons from the age of 3, was involved in amateur dramatics from the age of 7, studied dance, drama and English at A level and trained in creative arts (majoring in dance) at Manchester Metropolitan University. Rachel's love of the creative arts and teaching led her to seek it out as a career. She has worked at Cheshire Dance, Dance Exchange, English National Ballet, Artis..., Half Moon Young People's Theatre, Siobhan Davies Dance and Trinity Laban. She has two children, a husband and two pet mice. She loves to sing and garden (often at the same time!) and is handing down her childhood passion of Star Wars to her children...May The Force be with you!

Jane Foster

Company Administrator - Jane@theatretots.com

Jane developed her love of performing when she played the role of the star in 'The Brightest Star' aged 6 at primary school. She eventually went on to gain a BA in acting from The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts before having a career as a professional actress in TV and stage roles. When starting a family Jane decided to step away from performing and has been working for Theatre Tots since 2015. She is able to combine her love for theatre and her need to be organised! As company administrator Jane manages all enquiries and bookings, ensuring that the right facilitators are booked for the right jobs and go to the right place. She also handles any ad hoc research projects and any other weird and wonderful tasks that need doing!