Meet the team

Paul Hine
Chief Executive Officer

Doing theatre when I was a kid kept me out of trouble. I’m passionate about helping people cultivate their creativity and use it to help others. I came to Manchester for drama school and never looked back. As an actor, I once got cast in a TV show as someone who was immensely fat with amusing trousers (charming)! My passion is participatory theatre. I’ve had the great joy of working with loads of arts venues, schools, social organisations and wonderful people throughout the city and beyond. After several years of doing this as a freelance ‘double act’ with Andy, we put our heads together and began building something that could put people-powered music theatre on the map….Made By Mortals was born.”

Andy Smith
Artistic Director

“I set up Made By Mortals with my partner in crime, Paul, in 2017. We’ve worked together for years on participatory projects for orchestras, theatres and other arts and culture organisations and have always been really passionate about what is possible from a production that has ‘real people’ at its heart.

I grew up around the corner from Tameside, so I know the people and the area really well. As a kid, I remember the gang shows, pantos and parades that brought these local communities together. I play piano and compose mainly for orchestral instruments and voice – and I love a good tune.

Aside from Made By Mortals, you might find me contemplating over the football, making a curry or out in the sticks having a jog!”

Susan Jordan
Chair Of The Board

Born and raised in Manchester, where I’ve spent my career working in social housing, I’m passionate about helping people find the right place to live. I use participatory arts to connect with tenants and as an effective training tool to help staff understand issues they might not always recognise or have experienced themselves. Outside work, I lead graveyard tours, tend to my veg plot with my grandson (we talk to our tomatoes together!) and explore the countryside in Maisie, my trusty old MX5.

Gaynor Cox
Board Member, Non-Executive Director

For over 20 years, I’ve worked in arts and community engagement, leading many high-profile public arts initiatives, arts and wellbeing programmes and cultural partnership projects. I’ve been involved with Made By Mortals since it was a twinkle in its creators’ eyes and a non-executive director since May 2016. When I’m not working, I love travel, immersive theatre, genealogy transcription and medieval graffiti spotting.

Chris Brett
Creative Practitioner

“I’m an actor and drama practitioner serious about messing about! I’ve been delivering workshops across the northwest for years and love seeing people grow through the creative arts. I’m really excited to be working with Made by Mortals as I think theatre should be for everyone, and I’m passionate about telling people’s stories in interesting and impactful ways. When I’m not at work, I’m a fan of attending comedy nights, wild swimming and eating!”

Tess Keeble
Relationship Manager

I’m delighted to be part of a team that helps to offer people’s lived experiences to the world in unique and creative ways. I love how the work Made by Mortals inspires and enlivens those involved in making it and those who hear and experience the end result.

When not working, I like to read quirky fiction and books about big ideas. Otherwise, I can be found staring out a window lost in thought or with a brew in a very deep or very silly conversation (often both) with someone I love.”

Abi Young

Company Co-ordinator

“I do lots of organising for the Made by Mortals team, having lots of fun with spreadsheets, to-do lists and social media. I was a stage manager in the theatre world for many years and love using my skills for such a great organisation today. When I’m not working with Made By Mortals, you’ll find me walking my two lovely dogs, finding new foodie spots in Manchester or bingeing a good Netflix show!”

Catherine Cowdrey

Programme Producer

“I can usually be found with a camera or microphone in hand or perched behind a laptop editing away. I studied professional sound & video technology at university, and love getting to use my skills and experience to help create podcasts, audio stories, films, and theatre with our wonderful creative community. When I’m not at work, you’ll probably find me out on a run, scouting out new vegan eating spots or pampering my very spoilt cats!”

Francesca Waite

Artist In Residence

“From being little, the only thing I wanted to do was make up stories and act them out. I come from a big family of storytellers, which must be where I got it from. I studied drama at university, and much of my degree was spent making drama with community groups; drama has been my interest ever since. I love working with Made By Mortals as I get to meet wonderfully extraordinary and inspirational people and imagine new stories with them, which are then turned into podcasts and audio stories for others to share. When I’m not writing or acting, I’m probably travelling, pub quizzing or eating ice cream!”

Meet our associates

Vic Elizabeth Turnbull

Marketing

Vic’s runs the award-winning MIC media, a podcast production and training agency. A recognised podcast industry expert, Vic’s a judge for the British Podcast Awards, The International Women’s Podcast Awards and the Independent Podcast Awards too. She’s contributed to lots of media as a podcast specialist including The Guardian.

Vic works with Made by Mortals to amplify the reach of their Armchair Adventures podcast, she adds, “It’s a joy to work alongside the talented team behind Armchair Adventures. Together, we’ve achieved incredible milestones, from becoming the first kids podcast offered on all Virgin Atlantic flights to partnering with the Yoto kids audio player. I’m particularly proud of how we’ve helped the podcast reach thousands of young listeners worldwide, sparking their curiosity and igniting their love for learning. I can’t wait to see what exciting adventures await us next!”

Gary Smith
Graphic Design, Digital & Brand

Gary runs things at GOTO Creative – a digital brand agency. He provides us with his fab design skills for our visual communications, Armchair Adventures season graphics and looks after this website and keeps things in order.

“I make visual connections that connect, inform and inspire. I like to use my design super powers to help make changes for good with public and community groups.”