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."

Gail Oakley

Gail Oakley facilitates the drama group in partnership with the QE2 Activity Centre. With over 20 years of experience, she graduated from the University of East Anglia with a degree in English and Drama and went on to teach GCSE and A-level Drama in local schools. Gail has also provided LAMDA tuition, supply teaching, and workshops for primary and secondary pupils.

Now a freelance theatre practitioner, she has worked with The Kings Theatre Arts Academy, Stage Coach, The Young Creatives, and Red Sauce Inclusive Theatre Company. Gail also directs for “Pamodzi Creatives” and runs Sunshine Productions for adults with SEND at The Ashcroft Arts Centre.

Gail believes strongly in the empowerment of storytelling. She is passionate about the importance of the role of theatre within communities and feels that everyone should be able to access it.

Bonner Cockayne

Bonner facilitates our group at Sturts Farm, Ferndown Forest Forge Theatre Company with whom we work in collaboration and the Scarf drama club with whom we also have a partnership.

Bonner is a joyful, outgoing young man who honed his skills through Forest Forge Theatre Company in playful chaos expanding his knowledge through growth. He is passionate about ensemble theatre and getting people moving. Outside of theatre Bonner worked as a learning support assistant for many years before becoming a facilitator.

Lily Coull

Lily facilitates our Chestnut Theatre adult performing arts sessions in Maybush, Southampton.

Lily is a facilitator and performer; having thrived in her local youth theatre, she is passionate and keen to spread her love for performing arts to others, showcasing its importance for confidence building and for having fun! She works with Oomph Theatre, creating, performing and producing productions for those who don’t have access to theatre. Lily’s degree is in Film Production and Cinematography and she regularly works on creating social media content as a videographer. She enjoys working with both young people and adults creating and devising work in a collaborative process.

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 The Minstead Trust at 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.