Our approach
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Hello…
welcome to
Made By Mortals
We create immersive (stuff that gets you right involved in the action) podcasts, films and musical theatre shows in collaboration with world-class professional artists, health and social care organisations and a wonderful mix of community participants.
We Cultivate
Creative Citizens.
At Made By Mortals we love people power and creativity Our mission is to cultivate creative citizens (we also love alliteration!). ‘Cultivate’ because our work is about empowerment and shared ownership for the common good. ‘Creative’ because our work provides space for people to hone and practice their creativity no-matter ability or past artistic experience. ‘Citizens’ because we believe that people can use their creativity to take an active role in society and bring about change through sharing stories, imaginations and experiences in an accessible and meaningful (and don’t forget fun) way.
Bringing people’s
experience to life.
Our work mixes up performers, creators and audiences alike in a way that makes everyone feel like they own a bit of it. We try our utmost to make stuff as participatory as possible and as useful as possible to our partners and the people that make it.
Co-production, co-design and community (I told you we like alliteration) is at the heart of what we do. We provide a service that ‘brings people’s experience to life’ through creativity and in doing so helps life make a bit more sense and the world a bit more of a happier and fairer place to be.
Meet the team…
Paul Hine
Chief Executive Officer
“Doing theatre when I was a kid kept me out of trouble. I am passionate about helping people cultivate their creativity and use it to help others.
I came to Manchester to go to drama school and never looked back. As an actor I once got cast in a TV show to play someone who was immensely fat with amusing trousers (charming)!’
My passion is for participatory theatre. I’ve had the great joy of working with loads of arts venues, schools, social orgs and wonderful people through-out the city and beyond.
After several years of doing this as a freelance ‘double act’ with Andy, we decided to get our heads together and begin 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 back in 2017. We’ve worked together for years on participatory projects for orchestras, theatres and health and social care 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!”
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 either walking my two lovely dogs, finding new foodie spots in Manchester or bingeing a good Netflix show!”
Tess Keeble
Relationship Manager
“I come from a community engagement and therapy background, so I am passionate about building meaningful relationships and about people’s life stories being heard, seen, and witnessed.
I am delighted to be part of a team helping to offer people’s lived experience to the world in such unique and creative ways. I love how the work Made by Mortals does inspires and enlivens those involved in making it, but how it also inspires and enlivens 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.”
Chris Brett
Creative Practitioner
“I am an actor and drama practitioner who is serious about messing about! I have been delivering workshops across the northwest for years and I love to see 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!”
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, much of my degree spent making drama with community groups, which has been my interest ever since.
I love working with MBM as I get to meet wonderfully extraordinary and inspirational people and imagine new stories with them, that are made into podcasts for others to share.
When I’m not writing or acting, I’m probably travelling, pub quizzing, or eating ice cream!”
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!”
Meet our associates
Vic Elizabeth Turnbull
Marketing
Vic’s a massive podcast geek and runs MIC Media, a podcast production and training company.. It’s set up as a social enterprise. In 2020 she was thrilled to ribbons to have been nominated in the British Podcast Awards. In 2021 she joined their judging panel.
Vic and her ace marketing coordinator Vicky Wright, work with Made by Mortals to amplify the reach of Armchair Adventures podcast, she adds “it’s an incredibly unique and well made production. Families across the world need to hear it and that’s what I’m here to do, to spread the Armchair Adventures love!”
Gary Smith
Graphic Design, Digital & Brand
Gary at GOTO Creative provides us with his graphic design skills for our visual communications, website and production identities.
“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.”
Gary likes coffee creams, turkish delight and ‘sad dad’ jazz .
Interested in working with us?
view our current vacancies here
At present we don’t have any vacancies however, we are always on the look out for freelance artists to help us on a project to project basis.
We are particularly interested in hearing from musicians, composers, creative practitioners (music and/or drama) and set designers. If this sounds like you, please send your CV to admin@madebymortals.org and we’ll be in touch.
Interested? Want to know more?
Say hello & get in touch