OUR TEAM
Darren Raymond
Artistic Director
Darren Raymond is the Artistic Director of Intermission Youth and created Intermission Youth Theatre in 2008. He trained as an actor with the London Shakespeare Workout and was introduced to Intermission when performing Othello in a guest production.
Darren's external directing credits include Shakespeare Walks, Sonnet Sunday, and Voices in the Dark for Shakespeare's Globe. He is a member of the RSC's Education Advisory Committee and a Mentor for the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance.
Sue Morrison
General Manager
Sue's previous career was based in the legal sector and she brings her business and management skills to Intermission Youth to assist in taking them to the next level - finding a new permanent home, expanding the programmes currently offered and enhancing our community and film work ensuring we reach more and more young people across London and further afield.
Having worked solely in the private/corporate world, Sue is keen to give back to the community and help young people realise and live up to their full potential.
Nana Antwi
Youth Programme Manager
Nana grew up in Hackney. He got into acting when he was eleven, performing at Her Majesty's Theatre in Bugsy Malone, Porgy and Bess at Glyndebourne and King Priam with Kent Opera.
Nana joined Intermission Youth initially as a volunteer with the Youth Theatre where he quickly developed his facilitation and coaching skills. He now leads and delivers work for the organisation running the 10-month theatre programme as well as collaborating with Rada, The Globe and The RSC. Nana also delivers workshops in schools, pupil referral units and prisons. He was appointed Youth Engagement & Facilitation Manager in 2020.
Genevieve Bevins
Junior Fundraiser
Genevieve Marie is a dynamic actor and writer, with a strong foundation built from her years of experience and her recent training with both Intermission Youth Theatre and ALT. Her diverse training has refined her skills and fostered a receptive approach to direction, making her an adaptable and collaborative artist.
With a degree in History and a background in social media and marketing analysis, Genevieve brings a unique perspective to her work, combining creativity with strategic thinking. Through her time with Intermission Youth, she was inspired to devote her time beyond acting to an organisation that helps thousands of young people like herself—offering them the same support, guidance, and opportunities that shaped her own journey. Now joining Intermission as a Junior Fundraiser, she is passionate about expanding outreach, funding new and existing programmes, and ensuring that young voices continue to be heard and empowered.
OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Alexander Hoare
Alexander is Partner and Director of the UK’s oldest private bank, C. Hoare & Co. Alexander is the first of the eleventh generation of Hoare family members to run
the bank. He is a leader in the field of social and impact investing and a founder partner of Snowball LLP. He serves as president of the Groupement Européen de Banques and as a patron of Royal Trinity Hospice.
Amanda Parker
Amanda is the Founder of Inc Arts UK, a national body campaigning for increased inclusion in the arts sector workforce and researching retention and recruitment solutions for the sector. After a career in television and radio production, Amanda moved into campaigns management for the BBC, producing the launch and recruitment campaign for BBC Radio 1Xtra, and working with the BBC’s radio networks and orchestras on national music campaigns, winning an RTS award, two Webby awards and a CRE Race in
the Media Award.
Sir Mark Rylance
Sir Mark is an English actor, playwright, and theatre director. He was the first artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe in London, between 1995 and 2005. Widely regarded as the greatest stage actor of his generation, Sir Mark has enjoyed an esteemed career on stage and on screen and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Rudolf Abel in Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies (2015).
Esther Odejimi
Esther is an Intermission Youth graduate. She joined IY in 2013 and went on to study at Oxford University. After graduating, she trained as an investment analyst and founded a social enterprise that works with children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. She is Programme Director at the charity 10,000 BlackInterns.
Diana Whitehead
Diana Whitehead is the founder of Fourth Wall PR a specialist Arts and Culture consultancy working across the performing arts, festivals, exhibitions and events. A former journalist turned comms expert, with a solid track record for gaining National and International coverage as well as connecting projects at a grassroots level and targeting under-represented communities. Diana has advised CEOs of FTSE listed companies, worked on top level strategy and managed both large and small scale PR and marketing campaigns in-house and agency-side. Diana has collaborated extensively with a diverse range of producers, critically-acclaimed directors, playwrights and artists and worked on both large and small-scale London shows and National Tours, festivals, art installations and the digital stage.
Narinder Sagoo MBE
Narinder Sagoo MBE, is a Senior Partner at Foster + Partners, is an architect, artist, and advocate for creativity and social change. With over 27 years of experience, Narinder has played a crucial role in numerous landmark projects worldwide, including the transformation of Trafalgar Square, 'The Gherkin' in London, and Apple Park in California. Renowned for his unique perspective drawings, Narinder has produced well over 25000 architectural visions in his career. His ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple manner has earned him recognition as one of the finest architectural artists of his generation. Passionate about community service and inspiration, Narinder serves as a Champion for Diversity and Inclusion within the industry.
Dr Cynthia Pinto
Cynthia is an Educational Psychologist who works with young people, their families and teachers in London. Cynthia is also a tutor on the doctoral training programme at UCL Institute of Education which trains educational psychologists. Many of the young people Cynthia works with have backgrounds which are similar to the young people that Intermission work with, in terms of coming from diverse ethnic communities, have experienced deprivation or have had difficult home lives. Cynthia will be working with Intermission to make schools, colleges and providers of alternative provision aware of how the youth theatre can offer opportunities for young people. She will also work with psychotherapists who are supporting our young people with their emotional wellbeing.
Neil Worrall
Neil Worrall is a seasoned strategic leader with over 25 years of experience in real estate and financial management. A Fellow of both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA), Neil has held senior positions across the property sector, where he has led nationwide teams and successfully implemented transformational change in operational and financial performance. Neil currently runs his own consultancy, providing strategic advice to both public and private sector clients. In addition, Neil is a Board Member and Trustee at LionHeart, the charity that supports the surveying profession, where he also sits on the Audit & Risk Committee. Neil is passionate about fostering young talent and supporting the mission of Intermission Youth to transform young lives through drama. He brings a wealth of experience in governance, leadership, and safeguarding to his role as Trustee and Treasurer.
OUR PATRONS & ambassadors
Naomie Harris, OBE
Patron of Intermission Youth
Naomie has been a Patron of Intermission Youth since 2018, having been introduced to the charity through a mutual friend who believed deeply in its mission.
Naomie uses her platform to promote the charity’s ethos and work by raising awareness in the media, speaking about Intermission Youth at public events, and sharing their impact with her global audience. She offers her support through mentoring and advice to our young actors, having hosted workshops during Covid to ensure the young people were kept engaged at such a difficult time.
While Naomie is normally travelling around the world with her acting career and other philanthropic work, she always takes the time to visit our young people during workshops and productions.
The Rt. Rev. Rob Gillion
Patron of Intermission Youth and Bishop for the Arts
Bishop Rob and his wife Janine founded Intermission and welcomed Darren to be Artistic Director of Intermission Theatre and later IYT which has been flourishing for more than fifteen years. Rob and Janine continue to offer love, support and pastoral care for all involved.
As Patron, Rob continues to encourage audiences and funders to support the amazing work involving so many young people over so many years. Encouraging the aims which include giving opportunities, self esteem, honing creative skills, loving Shakespeare and providing a safe creative space to be a family. Many have gone on to work professionally in the performing arts and some to work as directors, mentors and facilitators for the next generation of young people at Intermission.
Built on Christian love and principles IYT welcomes young people of all faiths and none to join this loving and caring community. Once a member of Intermission always a member as witnessed by the alumni who revisit time and time again to share their experiences.
Rob continues to offer drama workshops occasionally, and both Janine and Rob continually keep Intermission in their prayers.
Danny Sapani
Ambassador for Intermission Youth
Danny Sapani is a distinguished British actor renowned for his versatile performances across film, television, and theatre. Of Ghanaian descent, Danny has brought to life a range of compelling characters in notable projects such as Black Panther, Ear for Eye, Tarakasura, and Star Wars in the film arena. His television credits include critically acclaimed series like Killing Eve, The Crown, Harlots, and Penny Dreadful. On stage, Danny has showcased his talent in productions like Hymn & King Lear at the Almeida Theatre and Medea at the National Theatre.
Born and raised in London, Danny's passion for acting began at the Weekend Arts College in Kentish Town. This early exposure to the arts ignited a desire for more intensive training, leading him to the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama.
Beyond his impressive acting career, Danny Sapani is also a dedicated supporter of Intermission Youth Theatre. This organization resonates deeply with him due to its commitment to empowering young people through the arts, particularly those from underserved communities. And particularly through the power of Shakespeare's oeuvre. Danny believes that everyone should know these words and understand that this work is for them. He feels Shakespeare's incredible scope and range of language can inspire individuals to find their own voices, just as it did for him. Having experienced firsthand the transformative power of artistic expression and rigorous training, Danny is passionate about providing similar opportunities to the next generation. His support for Intermission Youth Theatre is driven by a desire to give back to the community and inspire young people to pursue their dreams, just as he did. “Their work is amazing; every production blows me away.”
Company number: 12359502
Registered charity number: 1190391
Intermission Youth is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales whose registered office is at
124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
