ArtsHill Volunteer Performers Group
About the Group
The B arts Volunteer Performer Group ArtsHill meet regularly to take part in workshops, master classes and perform in B arts interactive theatre shows, at outdoor festivals and other creative events.
The volunteer performer group have created characters that were seen in our 5 part Tomorrow’s Garden film series in 2020/21, performed as walk about performers at Etruria Canals Festival in 2021-2024 and have appeared in our winter family theatre show The Lost Post Office in 2019, 2021-2023 and our immersive interactive show Moontopia in 2022.
The group recently took part in The Longton Carnival & Pig Parade in March 2023 and 2024 with Urban Wilderness and are set to take part again in April 2025.
The group have also taken part in workshops and master classes on acting for screen, creating costume and props, clowning, writing for theatre, and much more. The group vote on what times they are free each week so there is no set day and time to commit to.
Last Summer in 2024 the group worked on Imprints: Tales from the New Wild and most recently worked on a Scratch Night in November 2024.
Coming up in 2025, the group will be working on several projects including Who Is Molly Leigh in July 2025.
If you’d like to be involved - contact kath.stanway@b-arts.org.uk or text/call Kath 07544814720
Selim
Once upon a time in a far-off land (also known as Stoke-on-Trent), a band decided that the world wasn’t dramatic enough. And thus, ArtsHill was born—a theatrical troupe committed to bringing audiences laughter, tears, and the occasional "what just happened?" moment.
Although I can't be involved in every show (thanks to juggling two part-time jobs, full-time university studies, and a 3-year-old son who seems to run on limitless energy), my heart is always with the group. Even the two-bus journey to our beloved base at Number 72 can’t dim my enthusiasm.
My theatrical adventure began with B-Arts' Moontophia show, where I had my first acting experience and caught the theatre bug. Since then, the stage has become the most exciting part of my life. I've seen over 15 shows since that fateful start, and somewhere along the way—right around my 34th birthday—I discovered a burning passion for theatre that I never knew I had.
When I’m not on stage or commuting to rehearsals, I’m in the kitchen, combining my love for cooking and storytelling. I invent recipes and craft whimsical fairy tale stories about how each dish was created, often imagining knights, dragons, or witches being involved in the culinary process. It’s my way of keeping life creative and fun, whether in the spotlight or by the stove.
And now, with ArtsHill, I’m living proof that it’s never too late to embrace a bit of drama—on stage or in the kitchen!
Chloe Belcher
I’m Chloe and I met B-arts in 2015 while studying Fine Art at Staffordshire University. I am an outreach support worker to young people, supporting them in their day-to-day life, education and supporting their wellbeing with art and allotment projects. I am currently working on ideas to creatively deliver in public workshops/craft events using my natural/recycled source art practice processes. I feel that art really helps to support mental health and is a way for people to be expressive of their emotions. This notion flows through anything I prepare to share with others. I have been involved in a number of B-arts projects and enjoy being able to take part in projects with the Artshill Performer's team and seeing the group evolve and develop together.
Evangeline Cooper
My name is Evangeline Grace Cooper I’m am a professional actress and a model, based in Stoke-on-Trent. I graduated from Staffordshire University with Acting and Theatre Arts (BA Hons) in 2019. I have been in the ArtsHill Performers Group since 2020, which was established in lockdown. We have been in various walkabout performances and focus on developing our own characters. Our performances include Tomorrow’s Garden, The Lost Post Office, Longton Carnival and Pig Walk Parade, Etruria Canals Festival along with many other outdoor performances. Being a part of The ArtsHill Performers Group has helped me to develop my improvisation skills and enabled me to explore character building and writing techniques.
Micheala Cooper
My name is Micheala Cooper. I have experience in acting and voiceover work. I have a BA (hons) from Staffordshire University, am a qualified teacher and studied Art and Design at Carlisle, Cumbria. I have worked with Claybody Theatre and been in Votes for Women and Ladykillers at the New Vic Theatre. I am also a front of house volunteer at the New Vic Theatre. I am thrilled to be involved with B-Arts and the Tomorrow’s Garden project.
Jess Simm
Hi my name is Jess Simm, I live in Stoke with my husband Tom and my 2yr old daughter Yaima. I’m a families pastor for a local church but love using my spare time to be creative via projects such as tomorrow’s garden and writing music with my husband. This project has been an absolute joy and I love that we are making art about our situation and our city and the dreams we have for it.
Hannah Walton
Hannah Walton is an aspiring musician from Newcastle Under Lyme with a keen interest in performing arts and many years of performing experience under her belt. She has appeared in many local amateur theatre productions with companies such as Five Towns Theatre which is where she found her passion for musical theatre. Hannah went on to train at The Academy For Theatre Arts but later decided that a career in music was what she wanted to pursue. You can find her band, Behind The Moon, on social media and music listening platforms such as Spotify.
Hayley Wheatley
Hi I'm Hayley and I am a recent graduate of Staffordshire university where I studied Experimental Film Production. I have never really been involved in creative group projects but I have always felt a pull towards the arts and I first got involved as a volunteer performer with the event Moontopia. I love to learn, write and be silly... and I'm very excited to see what comes next!
Adey Bee
I’m Adey Bee. I have followed the work of B-arts for many years but in 2022 became a member of the board of trustees. I had taken a break from paid work in 2018 following the diagnosis of a stroke. I rekindled a passion for poetry and writing monologues that I had found so useful as a tool to deal with my teenage angst and feeling like I didn’t quite fit in to the world. This creative process helped me to deal with not just the physical effects of my stroke but also the impact on my mental health. I began to perform spoken word at open mic events and have been a regular performer at the Fringe Tent of Stoke-on-Trent Pride. It was liberating to share the private words of my poetry journal with audiences. Joining the Artshill Performers is the next step in this journey where I hope to develop more performance skills in a safe and supportive environment.
Carl Wilson
I started at B arts in 2014 and I was in The Lost Post Office and many other shows. I have my own puppet theatre company called Performing Peppers. I joined ArtsHill in June 2024 and my first ever show was at Bolton Gate Farm, with ArtsHill as well as the brand new Bolton Gate Performers. I created my own character called Detective Romeo Jones and I created another character called Sergeant Sammy. These characters first appeared in Bolton Gate in the show Imprints: Tales from the New Wild and then also appeared at Scratch Night at B arts in November. I would like to develop the characters further to have their own show. I am looking forward to doing more work with the ArtsHill Performers, I like meeting new friends. I can’t wait to do more walk about performances, more shows and more projects.
Tristan Chadwick
I’m Tristan and I am an actor and performance maker born and raised in Stoke on Trent. I graduated from Arden School of Theatre with a BA(hons) degree in Theatre and Performance back in 2018. Being part of Artshill Performers since early 2024 has given me the opportunity to get stuck in with local creative community projects, as diverse in nature as the group itself, which celebrate the city, our heritage, and our future. I’m excited to see what is to come, and know it will be a lot of fun, just like all the things I’ve been able to take part in this past year.
Steve Simpson
Hi, I’m Steve Simpson, a foster carer and lifelong Stokie. I joined the group in 2024 during preparations for Imprints- tales from the new wild and was involved in the Scratch night that same year. Very much looking forward to what the future brings.
Cynthia Coady
Cynthia is a vibrant, multidisciplinary creative with a deep love for the arts. Whether she’s behind the camera as a videographer or stepping into character on stage, she thrives on storytelling in all its forms. A first-class university graduate, Cynthia brings passion, energy, and creativity to everything she does.
Her journey with Barts began when she performed in The Lost Post Office, which led her to the Artshill group—where she continues to explore her love for acting and play. She believes play is a vital tool for creativity, self-expression, and building connections, allowing people to experiment, take risks, and see the world with fresh eyes.
Actively involved in various groups around Stoke-on-Trent, Cynthia is always ready to jump into new creative projects. She brings fun, passion, and a collaborative spirit wherever she goes, constantly seeking ways to inspire and uplift those around her.
Rachel Bate
Rachel is a performer and comedian and joined the ArtsHill Volunteer Group after playing the pub landlady in the R&D for Who Is Molly Leigh? in May 2024. Since then Rachel has joined the group at Etruria Canals Festival, Appetite’s Big Feast and for Scratch Night where she performed her own stand-up comedy routine!
Ashley Perry
I am Ashley and I am an up and coming inspiring musician composer. I have ten years of experience in music performance, production and promotion. I am deeply passionate about contributing to the music industry. I am eager to collaborate with fellow artist and professionals within the field. I have enjoy performing music, writing lyrics and poetry, acting, composing, recording, mixing, mastering music, live sound engineering, teaching guitar and piano and spoken word performances. With the ArtsHill group I have joined in with Etruria Canals Festival and written original music and poetry for various Scratch Nights. I eagerly anticipate the collaborative creations I can develop in the future.
Below are some photographs from The Longton Pig Walk in April 2024
Below are some of the photographs from our Scratch Night at B arts in February 2024
Below are some of the photographs from our Scratch Night at B arts in May 2024
Below are some of the photographs of the ArtsHill performers
