Tom Mansfield

Artistic Director @Upstart Theatre

Bristol, GB

Upstart is a theatre company dedicated to creating entertaining and compelling theatre which confronts the biggest questions facing the society we live in.We are the UK partner on Phone Home, a transnational project inspired by true stories from refugees. One play, performed across three stages in London, Munich and Athens, interlinked by video-conferencing and broadcast live online. Phone Home uses, theatre, dance and digital media to create a truly unique and innovative theatre experience and a powerful reaction to the political and media discourse surrounding the refugee crisis.Our productions include \"Silent Planet\", the critically acclaimed debut of playwright Eve Leigh (Finborough Theatre, 2014);\"The Situation Room\"(in collaboration with Oscar Mike), an interactive thriller which placed the audience as decision makers during a Cold War crisis (A Bulb commission from Hull Truck Theatre and Greyscale which toured the UK in 2012-14);\"The Maddening Rain\", the UK tour and New York run of Nicholas Pierpan\'s incisive monologue about one man\'s journey through the financial crisis (UK tour and Brits off Broadway, 2011);\"Intimacy\", a site-specific street performance in Covent Garden, 2011);\"The Falling Sickness\", an interactive thriller at the University of Bradford, commissioned by Development Lab at the Theatre in the Mill,\"Oh Well Never Mind Bye\" by Steven Lally (Union Theatre, London, summer 2009) and \"Water Sculptures\" and \"Zoo\" by Dawn King (Union Theatre, London, 2008, English Theatre of Bruges, 2007, and Theatre503, London, 2007).As Artistic Director I am the leader of the organisation. As well as directing the main body of the company\'s work, and taking charge of all artistic programming, I am responsible for the general management of the company, setting its strategic direction and managing its finances, reporting regularly to the Board of Trustees. I spearheaded the company\'s becoming a registered charity in February 2011.

Birkbeck, University of London

Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Theatre Directing

University of Birmingham

BA (Hons) 1st Class, Drama and Theatre Arts