Amanda Watkinson

Amanda Watkinson facilitates the Blue Apple Dancers on Tuesdays and has choreographed for several Blue Apple Stage Company performances at Theatre Royal Winchester. She also facilitates sessions for The Minstead Trust at Hanger Farm Arts Centre. She graduated in Choreography and Dance from the University of Winchester in 2015, where she also trained in the US as part of a study abroad programme. Amanda is passionate about teaching dance in the community, focusing on sessions that support wellbeing for people with physical and learning disabilities. Alongside freelancing, she is the CEO of Move Momentum, a local charity offering dance classes for young people, over-65s, and wheelchair users. Amanda teaches contemporary and street dance and enjoys seeing how dance benefits diverse groups. "I enjoy working with Blue Apple and have seen many of the performers not only improve their dancing but also develop other transferable skills such as their communication, resilience and confidence."

Lily Coull

Lily is a facilitator, performer, and videographer who leads our Chestnut Theatre adult sessions in Maybush, Southampton. With years of experience creating original theatre and leading community arts projects, she is dedicated to making performance engaging and accessible for everyone. Lily combines her passion for creative development across her roles in Early Years education and community theatre, while using her First-Class degree in Film Production to create dynamic videography content. She thrives on the collaborative process and loves helping participants of all ages find their confidence on and off the stage.

Daisy Price

Daisy Price facilitates our Southampton youth theatre sessions at Mayflower Studios. It is run by professionals at Blue Apple Theatre and Mayflower Participation.

Daisy graduated with a degree in dance from the University of Winchester in 2023, where she says she found joy in the community side of teaching. “When I left uni, I became a volunteer for Blue Apple’s dance class before moving up to an assistant at the Blue Apple Mayflower youth theatre, eventually being able to take on my own class. I’m very excited to develop my skills as a facilitator and believe that the young people will help me learn as much as I will help them. Outside of Blue Apple, I also work for Move Momentum, delivering dance sessions to SEN children and adults, which is a very rewarding thing.”

Olivia Murphy

Olivia Murphy facilitates sessions for Hanger Farm Community Theatre at Minstead Trust’s Hanger Farm Arts Centre.

She is a highly skilled and experienced teacher with 15 years of experience working in secondary schools, youth theatres and community settings.  Three years ago Olivia began her own freelance work and currently delivers workshops to adults with learning disabilities, play reading groups, adult acting classes as well as drama workshops to children and young people. She works with a range of theatre companies and organisations across Hampshire and Dorset.

After her degree in Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Surrey, Roehampton, Olivia trained as an actor at the London Academy of Performing Arts.  Olivia is an actor with acting work in TIE productions, theatre, independent film and commercials.

Emily Butler

Emily Butler facilitates sessions for our Branching Out group in Ringwood.

She is a performance artist, workshop facilitator and project coordinator with a broad range of experience across theatre, community settings and outdoor performance. Emily delivers workshops for organisations including Wiltshire Creative and Mayflower Theatre, working with both young people and adults.

Alongside her facilitation work, Emily is an active performer. She has toured as a solo artist and performed with Forest Forge Theatre Company, as well as working as a street theatre performer and puppeteer. Her work spans community theatre, devised performance and interactive audiences.

Emily trained at East 15 Acting School, graduating with a first-class degree in Acting and Community Theatre. She also works as a choreographer and movement practitioner, bringing energy, creativity and a strong sense of collaboration to her sessions.