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, now touring across Leeds, Yorkshire and the North in 2025/2026.

We are proud to be supported by the Leeds Cultural Investment Programme, Leeds City Council, Pears Youth Fund, Comic Relief, Woodward Charitable Trust and Arts Council England.

Who we are

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. He wrote MUTTON, currently on tour. His plays have been described as a “mix of charm, irreverence and grit… theatrically inventive and socially resonant.” He leads the company’s artistic work.

Rheanna Atkinson

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

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. Furthermore, she has undertaken work dedicated to working with refugees and children living in poverty with an emphasis on nurture and confidence building, enabling children to shine. Fran leads Brave Words’ education programme and Youth Theatres, including writing and directing for them on professional stages.