Mat Shepherd

President

Mat joined Derby Shakespeare in 2003 and has since appeared in numerous productions, often in comic or villainous roles.  He has served on the Committee on two separate terms, including acting as Chair for several years.  Mat also maintains the company's physical and digital archives of material from past productions, including items dating right back to our origins in 1908.  In 2022 he was honoured and delighted to be chosen as President of the company that he loves so much.  His great ambition for the company is to see us finally complete the Shakespeare canon so we can say that we've performed each of the Bard's plays at least once.

Neil Jones

CHAIR PERSON

I joined DSTC in around 2000. I was going through a particularly unfulfilling period at work and needed something different to do. My first job was to paint some giant windows for the set for Macbeth. I have been involved in most of the Company's productions since then, but never on stage. I'm usually to be found dressed in black and lurking at the rear of the venue operating sound or lights. This is my second stint on the Main Committee and I'm also Chair of the House Committee. I also work with other professional and amateur companies.

James Dean

vice chairperson & membership secretary

James has graced many a stage performing with DTSC, playing a variety of roles from Richard II to Lieutenant Gruber in ‘Allo ‘Allo and, most recently, the wildly silly Dr Caius in The Merry Wives of Windsor. James has also directed for the company, including staging our first ever performance of All’s Well That Ends Well, to much success. When he’s not welcoming new members to the fold in his role as Membership Secretary, James can be found making us all laugh at the bar and astounding us with his pop culture knowledge.

Niki Caister

Treasurer

My journey with DSTC began in 2007 when I auditioned for Richard III. I have always loved performing but I am not sure any moment will ever compare with when I first put on my coronation robe (ex RSC costume) as Lady Anne. I went on to experience disappointment and elation, missing out on coveted roles in both King Lear and Twelfth Night, only to be cast in both productions when reprised a few years later. I joined the Committee in the noughties but then swapped this for directing  (The History Boys, Madness of George III and Faustus) before returning to the Committee as Business Manager, then Treasurer.

Helen Cornfield

Secretary

I have been a member of DSTC since 1987 and became Secretary in 1989. That makes 2021 my 32nd year in office!! I owe Tony Jaggers a debt of gratitude for asking me to do this job and teaching me so many different ways of handling situations and people. Over the years I have taken part in many productions and more recently have turned my hand to helping with props and front of house duties. I enjoy being part of the Company and hope to continue for many more years to come.

LENI ROBSON

I have been a member of Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company for 14 years. I have performed in numerous productions, and have also worked offstage as a director - most recently for our 2023 production of The Merchant of Venice - and as Production Assistant for multiple shows, supporting new and established directors to bring their vision to life (with the help of some intense spreadsheeting!).

Ken Owen

I joined DSTC in 1997 when my son was in Winters Tale at the Derby Playhouse. I’ve never had the urge to act but found my calling backstage, never to be seen by the audience but always present in the wings. I have been stage manager for the company for the last 20 years, co-ordinating with the director, set building, props, wardrobe and liaising with the venue in order to get the show up and running. I also provide stage services to a number of amateur theatre groups and professionally to Derby LIVE and Derby Theatre.

Susie Brayshaw-Thorne

My love for theatre started when I was still in primary school, performing with my local youth theatre and travelling across the country to see some incredible shows, including plenty of Shakespeare. When I moved to Derby, a friend and DTSC member told me to come along to a social night where I heard about upcoming auditions for All’s Well That Ends Well, and they haven’t been able to get rid of me since.