Artistic Associates

Sam is a Freelance Dramatherapist (HCPC Registered), Theatre Practice Consultant & Storyteller, based in London. She currently works as an Artist and Therapist in the charity sector with women at risk of the Criminal Justice System and who have experienced mental ill health. Sam also works as part of Haringey’s Council & St Mungo’s Homeless Charity Drug Rehabilitation Programme, and at a Primary School for Children with Social and Emotional Needs. As a Visiting Lecturer, she teaches trainee Dramatherapists at Roehampton University, and Applied Theatre Students at Central School of Speech & Drama. Sam is currently developing a one-woman show that premiers at the Annual Dramatherapy Conference in September. This theatrical and responsive conversation with the audience in the moment seeks to share something of how the colour black has come to symbolise ongoing inner dialogues about her Black British identity. ‘Being With Black’ will tour to community and mental health venues, as well as theatres, in 2019. Sam is an Executive Member of the British Association of Dramatherapists, and a Community School Govenor. She is delighted to be an Associate Artist with Khayaal Theatre Company with whom she has a rich and long relationship dating back to  (The Globe, Cockpit and Library theatres).

Alia is a Lebanese-Syrian storyteller, actor and artist-educator. She is particularly interested in stories from the Arab and Muslim traditions that seek to answer our most urgent existential questions through wisdom, humour and unexpected twists. She performs for, and runs workshops with, audiences of all ages seeking to create an atmosphere of enquiry around global issues and how to live better together in a sustainable world. Alia is among the core teaching staff at the British Museum. Alia has worked with Khayaal as a performance storyteller and theatre-in-education specialist since first arriving in the UK 10 years ago. This has included delivering work at Shakespeare’s Globe and The British Museum and for multi-sector clients across the UK.

John began working as a professional music composer on graduating with music from University College, Dublin, in 1983. In 1984 he was a founder of the award-winning Dublin theatre company The Passion Machine, writing original music for 15 of their new plays. He was awarded a national theatre award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Irish Theatre’ in 1987 and by the early 90’s had worked in all the major Dublin theatre venues, including the National (Abbey) Theatre.

He went on to compose and direct music for theatre, television and film internationally through the remainder of the ‘80s and the ‘90s working especially in the US, UK and Ireland winning a BAFTA children’s television award and numerous awards for theatre. He later returned to academia and graduated in 1997 with an MA in ethnomusicology from Limerick University. From 2005 to 2008 John worked as Programme Leader of the BA (hons) in Popular Music at Northumbria University in Newcastle before joining Khayaal as an associate director.

He is particularly interested in applying Islamic principles to the creative practices available to us in modern society - music, theatre, film, writing, and the visual arts, creativity and spiritual development.

Thomas has created music and sound for Khayaal since our groundbreaking first production, Conference Of The Birds, in 1998. A multi-instrumentalist and audio producer with a theatrical, classical and rock background, he endeavours to enhance and support the myriad atmospheres, emotions and diverse performance situations required of a Khayaal production. Whilst schooled in western music he is deeply drawn to the folk, sacred and classical music traditions of cultures throughout the world, and works to add their rich heritage to the sound world of Khayaal. Thomas has also composed for luminary directors David Pountney and Laurie Sansom, several Unicorn Theatre productions and Streetwise Opera’s acclaimed ‘Time Flows’ directed by William Relton, and has created soundtracks for numerous short films and dance pieces. His extensive workshop leading and outreach experience includes the Royal Albert Hall, Streetwise Opera and Live Music Now, and he is a creative collaborator with Freewheelers Theatre Company for disabled adults. As a guitarist and singer, Thomas has toured in many countries, performed with the BBC Concert, Rambert and Ulster orchestras, worked in various bands and as a studio musician for film, TV and sessions. He is currently focussing his songwriting and production skills on a new project, Weeping Atlas. Thomas has a deep interest in and respect for Islamic, Sufi and other esoteric spiritual and mystical traditions and is dedicated to helping illuminate their wisdom and beauty through the arts.

Adil obtained a Performing Arts BA Hons prior to pursuing a career as a professional actor, scriptwriter, researcher and workshop facilitator. He has featured in films such as Bradford Riots (Neil Biswas 2006) as well as BAFTA award winning films Britz (Peter Kosminsky 2007) and Four Lions (Chris Morris 2010). From 2008-2011, Adil performed the lead role of Asif in four national tours of ‘Hearts and Minds’ and a DVD adaptation for the award-winning Khayaal Theatre Company. The critically acclaimed play follows a young Muslim’s struggle with identity and his relationship with his faith, culture and wider society. Adil continues to serve as an Artistic Associate of Khayaal. During his travels around Europe and his own ‘journey of transformation’ Adil began to think about the role creative arts could play in the empowerment of young people and the essential life skills that are developed through this medium, which ultimately inspired the birth of Alchemy Arts. Alchemy Arts is a Media & Arts Social Enterprise based in Manchester, that Adil founded in 2012. It uses innovation and imagination as an instrument for social change. Alchemy supports people with special educational needs, mental health, dementia and addiction. Alchemy was set up to work predominately but not exclusively with young people at the grass roots level using drama as a tool to explore and tackle issues that affect them in today's society and exploring how to make positive transformational change.