homotopia

Danny Kilbride (Chair)

Danny is a filmmaker and the Creative Director at Thinking Film, a Social Enterprise that exists to provide people & communities, across Merseyside, with a voice. Telling stories that challenge the way people see the world.

Sinéad Nunes (Deputy Chair)

Sinéad is a writer, editor and marketer based in Liverpool, with a keen interest in accessibility and diversifying audiences. As an arts marketing professional, Sinéad has worked with institutions across the North West, including Abandon Normal Devices, Liverpool Biennial, FACT, Tate Liverpool, Storyhouse and The Reader Organisation. Outside of work, Sinéad is Regional Editor (Merseyside & Cheshire) for arts criticism magazine Corridor 8, as well as working with local queer organisations to produce and stage manage grassroots drag and burlesque events.

Joan Burnett

Joan is a Merseysider born and bred and has worked in customer service in arts venues for over 30 years, currently as visitor services manager at FACT. Former volunteer on Liverpool’s Outsiders Queer Film Festival from 2006, she later spent 9 years as a Director/Trustee of Liverpool Pride. She currently volunteers for Liverpool City Region Pride as a programmer for Film With Pride, focusing on new and classic films from around the world with the accent on making diverse voices heard. She is hugely honoured to join the Board of Homotopia which she never ceases to find essential, inspiring and moving.

Darren Begley

Darren Begley (he/him) is an Irish native based in Liverpool, currently the Head of Visitor Experience and Operations at Shakespeare North Playhouse. As a key member of the Leadership Team, he played a pivotal role in the successful opening of the £38m theatre in 2022. His experience spans roles at Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres, the Liverpool Philharmonic, and collaborations with numerous arts and cultural organisations across the North West and beyond.

With a strong focus on balancing artistic integrity with financial sustainability, Darren is dedicated to ensuring cultural organisations thrive both creatively and commercially. He is deeply passionate about the power of the arts as a catalyst for social change and advocates for ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has access to the transformative impact of arts and culture.

Outside of work-y things, Darren enjoys books, walks, his ginger labradoodle and lovely lovely pints.

Tabby Lamb

Tabby Lamb is a non-binary writer and performer based in East London. She is equally inspired by Carly Rae Jepson and Tennessee Williams, and strives to tell stories that explore the intersections between popular culture and politics.
Their debut solo show SINCE U BEEN GONE, which Tabby wrote and performed, premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2019, after previewing at the Gate Theatre. The show was spectacularly received by audiences and garnered a glowing 4* write up from the Guardian who called the play “bold, honest and swollen with love”.

They were part of the Soho Theatre Writers Lab and the LGBTQ Arts Review #RaisingOurVoices scheme for queer and trans writers, Oxford Playhouse Playmakers scheme, and Oli Lansley’s Writing for Stage and TV course. She is also an associate artist for Middle Child and Theatre Royal Stratford East.

They are currently under commission at The Unicorn Theatre, The Place and Kilter, Pentabus and 45North. Alongside their passion for writing, Tabby is a facilitator and runs creative arts projects for people from the LGBTQ+ community. They also founded Theatre Queers & can often be seen advocating for Trans Rights across their social media platforms and beyond.

Frank Peschier

Frank (she/her) is the literary manager of Headlong and a freelance dramaturg, critic and lecturer from South London, based in Liverpool. She previously spent five years in admiration of Homotopia and the artists associated as New Works Associate at the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse and is delighted they have let her sit with the cool kids. She writes about theatre for publications including Exeunt and The Stage, and has taught performance theory and contextual studies for BA and MA programmes at LIPA, Liverpool Hope, AUB and UAL. She is passionate about new writing, creative access and shaping brilliant experiences that bring people together. She is equally passionate about books, aerial arts and a seriously good vodka martini.