Who are we?
Co-artistic directors Gemma Paget and Sean McGrath began their journey together in 2004 at The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival. Since then they have been weaving their curiosity and creativity together, exploring what it means to be human as individuals, life partners, parents, creatives, and global citizens.
United by a passion for storytelling in all its forms, in 2006 they founded AlterEgo Creative Solutions, an applied theatre-in-education company dedicated to using theatre and film to address complex social issues. Their work toured to hundreds-of-thousands of children, young people and professionals throughout the UK, as well as Europe, the US and Canada.
The in-depth research and exploration of a broad range of social issues, the richness of learning through working with incredibly knowledgeable and talented professionals and creatives on the development of their projects, and the experience of witnessing first-hand the tremendous impact that stories can have, led to Sean and Gemma’s desire for a deeper exploration into the power of narrative and drama to inspire change.
In 2020 Gemma gained a Masters degree in dramatherapy, and in 2022 Sean commenced studies for a Masters degree in Writing for Performance. Throughout the pandemic both Gemma and Sean spent time researching Narrative Theory, the Science of Story-telling, and the alchemical and mythical power of drama and stories to create both individual and societal transformation. This collective learning spurred them to reflect, re-evaluate and re-define their creative aspirations, giving birth to their next joint venture : Narrative Alchemy.
The Creative Team
Gemma Paget MA, BA(hons), FRSA Co-Artistic Director
Gemma is a creative therapist who holds a Masters Degree in dramatherapy from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. This, combined with her training as an actress at Manchester Metropolitan’s School of Theatre, and her vast experience as both an actress and a theatre-maker over the past 20 years, has given her a unique perspective on how to use clowning, story-telling, role method and internal family systems to inform the development and the application of the various elements of Narrative Alchemy’s work. She is an actress, a director, and a fellow of The Royal Society of Arts (RSA).
As well as her role as co-artistic director, Gemma is the head of wellbeing within the company. Whether a full-time member of staff or a project specific freelance professional on a short or long-term contract, Gemma is commited to supporting all of our teams’ wellbeing and mental health.
Sean McGrath FRSA, WGGB Co-Artistic Director
Sean is a writer and director. He trained originally as an actor at The Oxford School of Drama, but soon found that his passion lay in writing and directing, rather than performing.
He is a member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), an associate director for The Cambridge Shakespeare Festival, a trained facilitator for US based Narrative 4, and is currently continuing his personal and professional development with an MSt in Writing for Performance at The University of Cambridge (Selwyn College). His interests lie in the interplay between modern breakthroughs in Narrative Theory, and the ancient magic, myth and ritual of simple story-telling.
As well as his role as co-artistic director, Sean is our resident writer and head of project development. This sees him take the lead on all project research, development and writing.
The support Team
Marian Allen Finance Administrator
Marian has decades of experience wokring in accountancy, and is the go to person for all things finance and book-keeping related.
Theatre for Schools Tour bookers for our Applied Theatre projects
Established in 1996 as a specialist marketing company, Theatre for Schools are experts at linking the UK’s most outstanding and innovative educational theatre providers, to the needs and requirements of schools, colleges and educational settings. Jo, Cathy, and their amazing team at Theatre for Schools, act as the main point of contact, the marketing team, and the booking agent for all of Narrative Alchemy’s Applied Theatre projects for schools.
Mates AND mentors
Roy Leighton MPhil (Cantab)
Roy holds an MPhil in Knowledge, Power and Politics from The University of Cambridge, is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and an advisory board member for the Da Vinci Life-Skills School in Cambridge. As a senior associate at Independent Thinking, and the CEO of Undiscovered Country, Roy uses 'transrational facilitation' with schools, universities, businesses, and communities, in the UK and internationally, to develop cultures of 'positive peace' and play to support engagement, trascend conflict and improve outcomes.
Dr Gareth Somers PhD, MA, BA(hons)
Gareth is an actor, director, writer and a specialist in Daoist energy work and release therapy. He has a PhD in performance and has been a senior lecturer on the acting course at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. He has taught and directed throughout the UK, as well as in The Netherlands, Italy, Poland and The Czech Republic. Gareth is the co-director of Transatlantyk2 theatre company.
Heidi Gjertsen PGCE, BA(hons)
Heidi has an extensive background in education, safeguarding, equality, and theatre. After training as an actress at London’s Mountview Theatre School and a successful decade-long acting career, Heidi’s academic pursuits led her to earn a B.A. Honours in Philosophy from Birkbeck, University of London, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Further and Higher Education) from the University of Wales, Cardiff. With over two decades in post-16 education, she has taught a variety of A-levels, specialising in Drama and Theatre Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and the Extended Project Qualification, and has held roles as a Course-Team Leader and A-level Examiner.
Heidi is dedicated to Equal Opportunities and has 15-years‘ experience as a Diversity, Equality, and Inclusivity Lead. Her expertise extends to coaching techniques, where she has led projects and provided targeted support for students, including those with diverse needs.
With her experience as Head of Year in an ‘Outstanding’ Sixth Form College, Heidi has an extensive understanding of student wellbeing and pastoral care. Her role as a Designated Safeguarding Lead further underscores her commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of young people. Her recent work as a Senior Leader in Education, coupled with freelance engagements, including supporting PQA Principals, attests to her comprehensive impact across the educational landscape.
Colm Holland Writer and Alchemist
Colm writes and teaches about the Alchemical power of Unconditional Love to transform lives.
During his career in Secondary Education in the 1970s, Colm piloted what became today’s RSHE Curriculum before entering the world of publishing and emigrating to Australia. At HarperCollins publishers he championed the unknown author Paulo Coelho, resulting in the global bestseller, The Alchemist.
He then founded one of the first independent dotcom companies that was soon acquired by AOL.
Colm is the author of The Secret of The Alchemist – #1 in Amazon in the USA and is published by Hachette in France. He also writes fiction for fun and will soon be releasing a trilogy of crime novellas.