About

Brave Words was formed in 2018 with the joint aims of telling stories with a social purpose, and creating adventures in the arts that invest in children, young people and communities. We believe that every story has value and hope to create stages where people come together to connect, as well as arts programmes helping people discover confidence and creativity.

Our first Pay-What-You-Can Youth Theatre launched in Seacroft in 2019, followed by Beeston and Meanwood Youth Theatres in 2021. Today we work with more than 160 children and young people across disadvantaged areas of Leeds every week, and our programme includes workshops and events for adults in the same communities.

Our debut show How to Be a Better Human toured from October 2021 — May 2023 including more than 50+ performances and a full run at Summerhall for Edinburgh Fringe 2022. In Autumn 2023 we started development of MUTTON, and toured it across Leeds, Yorkshire and the North in 2025.

We are proud to be supported by the Leeds Cultural Investment Programme, Pears Youth Fund, Flint Family Fund, Comic Relief, Woodward Charitable Trust, Arts Council England, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the National Lottery Reaching Communities fund.

Who we are

Our staff team and company directors

Chris Singleton

Artistic Director

Chris is a poet and playwright from Leeds. His writing has been published by Indigo Dreams, Written Off, Riggwelter, Orchard Lea and Leeds Poetry Festival and described as “candid, unafraid, harrowing, startling and compassionate in all the best ways” (Dawn Bauling, Indigo Dreams.)

In 2021 - 2023 he toured How to Be a Better Human and was shortlisted for Best Spoken Word Performer and Best Spoken Word Show at the Saboteur Awards 2022, the Birds of Paradise Exceptional Theatre Award and for the Lancaster Playwriting Prize 2022. His plays have been described as a “mix of charm, irreverence and grit… theatrically inventive and socially resonant.” (The Reviews Hub)

Chris leads the company’s creative direction and executive strategy.

Rheanna berry

Director of Creative Producing

Rheanna is a creative producer and facilitator from Hull. She has produced work with organisations across Yorkshire, including Libellule Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, the John Godber Company, Balbir Singh Dance Company and Old Bird Theatre at Bradford 2025.

Rheanna is lead producer on all of Brave Words’ work, and also leads our Young Producers project; enabling young people to gain practical experience and qualifications shadowing and working alongside professional artists.

She also leads on Welcome to the World, our newest offer for early years; creative, sensory storytelling adventures for infants, toddlers and parents across communities in Leeds.

Fran Cairns

Youth & Education Director

Fran is a qualified teacher with 15 years’ experience working with children and young people in community, theatre and school settings. She has written, designed and directed youth theatre showcases in a critically acclaimed producing theatre and formed part of a team winning the Sandford Award for outstanding delivery of creative education in a heritage setting.

Fran’s passion for literacy has seen her lead writing groups for varied age groups, producing several anthologies and spoken word poetry performances in a wide range of venues.

Fran leads Brave Words’ education programme and Youth Theatres, including writing and directing for them on professional stages.

lydia smith

Schools project manager

Lydia’s background is in theatre, arts education and community practice. She is passionate about co-creation and community and believes that everyone has something valuable to contribute, and that some of the most meaningful learning happens when people create together.

She has worked across schools, communities and arts organisations, supporting children, young people and adults through collaborative and creative projects. She is currently studying an MA in Dramatherapy; her training shapes her practice and commitment to creating brave, inclusive spaces where people feel heard, valued and connected.

Lydia leads our Paul Hamlyn Foundation Teacher Development Fund project, supporting teachers to embed creativity and oracy across the curriculum.

henry raby

community engagement producer

Henry is a creative producer and facilitator dedicated to making art with communities; telling urgent stories about social change, hope, heart and inclusivity.

Henry was previously the Creative Producer for Rotherham Children’s Capital of Culture. He has led inclusive workshops for Rural Arts in Thirsk and Thunk-It Theatre. He works in theatre, poetry and audio, and has created podcasts with children and adults across Leeds.

Henry is the Artistic Director of Say Owt, a York-based spoken word/poetry organisation, and co-hosts the Vandal Factory podcast. As a poet, he’s been published by Burning Eye Books and performed across the UK at poetry events, theatres and festivals.

Henry leads on deepening our collaborations with communities across Leeds.

emily dee

company administrator & Support

Emily is a creative support worker, facilitator, access worker, and arts administrator from Leeds. She works to support young people, people with learning disabilities, and emerging creatives to engage in accessible and affordable creative opportunities, especially within theatre-making.

She supports projects that promote community building, empower individual choice and voice, and that are co-curated with the individuals engaged. She has supported projects at Leeds Playhouse, The National Youth Theatre, The British Library, Bright Sparks, and Vital Xposure.

Emily works on our Youth Theatre and Baby Storytelling sessions, and is the administrator for Brave Words.