Annie McKenzie (she/her)
Co-Artistic Director Annie is a working-class actor, writer, director, facilitator and storyteller.
Her work spans theatre, film, television and live storytelling, driven by a belief that art can disrupt, heal, and help us find our way back to ourselves.
Born in France and raised in Lincolnshire, Annie has lived in London for over a decade. She trained at East 15 Acting School, graduating with an MA in Acting in 2013. She later taught on the MA Acting course there, and now directs and teaches at Oxford School of Drama, supporting emerging actors to develop brave, embodied and emotionally intelligent practice.
Annie’s work is rooted in care, honesty and chutzpah. She is drawn to stories that explore healing, trauma, class, power and belonging - work that doesn’t look away from pain, but insists on possibility. She is particularly interested in creative processes as spaces where people can take risks, unlearn shame, and step more fully into themselves.
Alongside her artistic practice, Annie completed The Journey at Embercombe, a residential personal development programme grounded in nature connection, self-inquiry and collective leadership. This experience continues to shape her approach to facilitation and her commitment to building creative spaces that are rigorous, playful and deeply human.
Annie is passionate about making work that hits you in the guts (metaphorically speaking), lingers in the body, and sparks conversations that last well beyond the final curtain - at least until the pub after the show.
Coco Maertens (she/her)
Co-Artistic Director Coco is also an actor, and writer for stage and screen.
German born Coco called London home for 9 years before moving to Rome in 2022.
She earned her BA in Drama and Theatre Arts at Goldsmiths before training on the MA Acting course at East 15 Acting School in 2017.
Coco loves making graphically human stories come to life on stage with grit and integrity.
