Our Team

Lee Lyford

Artistic Director & Chief Executive

I have been Artistic Director and Chief Executive at Theatr Iolo since 2018. As Artistic Director I am responsible for envisioning and delivering our artistic programme. This element of my role means I get to choose what shows we present and what artists we work with to create them. Being Chief Executive means the buck stops with me! 

I grew up and went to school in Croydon, South London. I trained as an actor before becoming a director. As a director I worked for many years at the egg theatre in Bath, a theatre dedicated to making work for young people and family audiences. I have also worked as a freelance director, directing plays at a number of theatres including Bristol Old Vic, the Sherman Theatre, The Unicorn and The Watermill. 

I am really enjoying living in Wales; the landscape is beautiful and the people are very friendly. I have moved to the Roath area of Cardiff and love it. Roath Park is one of my favourite places!

lee@theatriolo.com

Michelle Perez

Executive Director

I joined Theatr Iolo in 2018 and am responsible for the general running of the organisation. Basically, all the ‘boring bits’ like finances, planning and funding applications! 

I grew up and went to school in Cardiff and then studied a Theatre Degree in Devon. Before I joined Theatr Iolo, I worked as a Graphic Designer, ran Childline Workshops for primary schools and worked in numerous arts organisations in South Wales over the last 20 years including, the Centre for Visual Arts, the New Theatre, Sherman Theatre all in Cardiff and The Riverfront Theatre and Arts Centre in Newport. 

I absolutely love animals and have fostered and adopted many furry friends over the years. In fact, everyone in the office calls me the ‘animal whisperer’ as animals seem to be drawn to me!

michelle@theatriolo.com

Aled Rees

Artistic Administrator

I started working as the company’s Artistic Administrator in April 2019. I’m responsible for organising and co-ordinating all aspects of touring and workshop activities and providing a range of administrative functions. 

I started my career in social housing where I worked for 12 years as a Communications and PR Advisor before moving onto Age Cymru Swansea Bay as their Communications Officer. I’ve been a member of various committees from local community councils and welfare associations as well as being a former Youth Administrator to a Youth Theatre Company. 

I'm an avid performer and a singer and have performed for various amateur and semi-professional theatre companies in Wales. As a Welsh speaker, I’m also passionate about Welsh language and culture, and in particular Welsh language theatre.

As of March 2020, I was appointed a Board member for ITC Arts in London.

aled@theatriolo.com

Sarah Gilbert

Communications and Engagement Manager

I joined the team in September 2019 and like to consider myself to be ‘Chief Storyteller’ at Theatr Iolo... although maybe Lee would disagree with that! I make sure that everyone knows about the brilliant work we create and that our audiences have a fantastic time when they see one of our shows or take part in a project with us. 

I moved to Wales just over ten years ago and, before joining Theatr Iolo, I was Marketing Campaigns Manager at Wales Millennium Centre. Prior to this, I worked in my hometown at Royal & Derngate in Northampton and Malvern Theatres in Worcestershire, where I was at University. 

I love living and working in Wales and I’m proud to call Cardiff home. I’ve got a young family who keep me on my toes, but when I get a spare five minutes I try and spend it baking, sewing or off on a busman’s holiday to the theatre!

sarah@theatriolo.com

Digger

Office dog

“WOOF!”

Board of Trustees

As a registered charity, our board of trustees gives its time voluntarily to support the team in delivering our vision.

• Evan Williams (Chair)

• Sue Wardle

• Sara Lewis

• Angharad Thomas

• Rhoda Lane

• Jonny Cotsen

• Natalie Lawley

• Kate Perridge

• Victoria Edwards