As the Founder and Chief Executive of Unlock Drama, Rebecca steers a Community Interest Company committed to rehabilitation and personal transformation through the power of applied theatre. Established in 2014, Unlock Drama harnesses the unique properties of drama to facilitate social change, particularly within prisons and marginalised communities across the UK.
Rebecca's academic foundation in Applied Theatre was laid at Loughborough University in 2008, followed by a specialised Master’s from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, focusing on the Criminal Justice System in 2011. This academic pursuit transitioned into a profound professional calling when Rebecca initiated a pivotal 18-month full-time drama residency at HMPYOI Doncaster, directly engaging with inmates to foster change through artistic expression.
Unlock Drama's journey began from her two decades of drama experience, directly facilitating theatre with diverse groups including young offenders and adult prisoners. This extensive ground-level work informed the development of UD’s innovative approach, which has been recognised with numerous awards including 'Best Rehabilitation Social Enterprise 2023'. Rebecca's role encompasses project management, developing impactful partnerships, and mentoring the next generation of applied theatre practitioners, ensuring that Unlock Drama interventions are meticulously tailored to meet the nuanced needs of our participants.
Under Rebecca's leadership, Unlock Drama has become a key player in the field, managing significant contracts under the Prison Dynamic Purchasing System (PEDPS), collaborating with healthcare partners such as Practice Plus Group, NHS England/Oxleas and Change Grow Live, and expanding into preventative initiatives for youth at risk.
With a firm belief in the transformative power of theatre, Rebecca is dedicated to continuing this journey, ensuring that every project not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters long-term societal benefits.
Rebecca is a Fellow of The School for Social Entrepreneurs; from completing The Lloyd’s Bank, Community Lottery; Trade Up programme class of 21/22: https://www.the-sse.org/courses/lloyds-bank-social-entrepreneurs-trade-up-programme/ and UnLtd Scaling Up Social Entrepreneur Award.
Tristan first experienced how powerful Applied Theatre in prison can be when serving time in HMP & YOI Doncaster. Rebecca recruited him to edit the prison’s magazine and, above and beyond that role, he went on to take part in many of the drama projects that she ran during her time there. One that left a real impression on him involved young people at risk of offending coming into the prison and taking part in a piece of forum theatre that showed them how easy it could be for one bad decision to lead to them finding themselves in a similar position to his. A truly inspirational experience for the prisoners and young people alike.
Since his time inside he has made great strides to turn his life around and is now a passionate and supportive Health & Fitness Coach and Bodyworker. He and Rebecca stayed in touch and, after his release, continued the Mentorship that grew while working together years before.
He continues his involvement with the arts having achieved a distinction in a Foundation Year in Art & Design at Doncaster College while in open prison and is now in two separate music projects. He will freely admit that not only did the arts save his soul when he found himself in the dark place that prison can be but they continue to bring light to his life ever since.
Ruth has 25 years background as an IT consultant within the banking and insurance sectors. During this time, Ruth gained invaluable experience in the relationships and communication between user departments and the systems software implementation teams, during IT projects. Ruth’s career took a different turn, when after one of her children was diagnosed to be on the Autistic Spectrum, she became interested in developmental education. Ruth retrained as a teacher and worked in the special education sector for 10 years.
Ruth has always been passionate about enabling all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, life experiences or special needs, to reach their full potential.
Her role in the organisation is to liaise with Unlock Drama’s accountants and to ensure that the plan for Unlock Drama to reach a wider variety of participants both in the community and prison estate is fulfilled.
Conor is an entrepreneur and business owner. Through first-hand experience, he has developed web presence which show attention to detail and are fully representative of his businesses. Social media is an important aspect of any business, enabling an extensive audience to be reached.
Conor is very enthusiastic about making sure that the central message of unlocking the potential of all participants of Unlock Drama’s projects is portrayed via social media in an appropriate manner.
Beth is a specialist Applied Theatre drama facilitator with over eight years’ experience. Beth undertook an MA in Applied Theatre at RCSSD, specialising in the Criminal Justice System. Beth has worked for UD since 2018, on topics such as Mental Health and Psychoactive Substance Misuse at the following prisons: HMP Lindholme, HMP Guys Marsh, HMP Hewell, HMP Peterborough, HMP Send, HMPYOI Portland, HMYOI Swinfen Hall and HMP Bronzefield.
Beth enjoys using the Arts to work with socially excluded groups and understands the challenges and complex behaviour that can be present. Beth volunteered at Clean Break, working with female ex-offenders; she has also worked with youth offenders, those with poor mental health, those experiencing homelessness, and those with SEMH and SEND. Beth has facilitated arts-based projects in the UK and internationally, including with GLYPT, NCS The Challenge, and Underground Lights Community Theatre. Beth has done training in Forum Theatre.
Madelaine graduated with distinction in MA Applied Theatre from RCSSD in 2011. Since then she has worked in a wide variety of participatory settings, including prisons and pupil referral units. She has worked with UD since 2016 where she has delivered work on topics such as Substance Misuse and Violence Reduction at: HMP Wymott, HMP The Mount, HMP Hull, and HMP New Hall. In 2012, she was part of the ambitious theatre and music project at HMP The Mount with Rideout, Music In Prisons, the London Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the BBC Big Noise Radio series.
She has also delivered at HMP Littlehey with Synergy Theatre, and between 2011-13 worked in the community with ex-offenders through Only Connect, managing the members monthly open mic event. Alongside this, she has worked extensively in community settings with participants in recovery, those experiencing homelessness in arts settings/drop-in centres, and men with chronic mental health conditions. She was trained in Forum Theatre and Jokering by Cardboard Citizens. Her methodology is a strongly trauma informed approach, and draws on P.A.C.E. theory which focuses on the needs of the whole person, rather than their behaviour.
Unlock Drama has a pool of facilitators with Applied Theatre experience and qualifications or adequate relevant experience who are trained by Rebecca Boden or Lead Facilitators by working on-site as freelance Co-Facilitators. All staff complete necessary vetting and safeguarding training at institutions as and when required. Staff comply with health and safety regulations and adhere with each establishments rules and regulations.
