Nottingham Playhouse’s Amplify programme has announced its new Associate Artists as Cherelle Fulton, Founder and Director of Behind Closed Doors, and Andy Routledge, a director and dramaturg specialising in directing and developing new writing.
Behind Closed Doors is a creative community for women, centred on Black and Brown women across art forms, in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire and the Midlands. They create spaces where women can support each other and take the lead on their creative journeys, whether they’re still figuring it out, enjoying it as a hobby or are deep into their creative careers. With a focus on creating opportunities for women to connect, develop and explore their creativity.
Over the course of 18 months Nottingham Playhouse will support Behind Closed Doors, working together to develop and deepen their work, whilst providing wider opportunities for artists in the region to develop skills and knowledge of making theatre in the Midlands.
Artist Development Producer Beccy D’Souza said:
“I went along to a Behind Closed Doors event last summer as a participant and instantly knew that this was something special. It’s super exciting to be working alongside Cherelle to put some resources behind what she and the rest of the Behind Closed Doors community are creating. I’m really excited to see the impact of that, both on the creative community in the region, the work that gets made, and to see the individual trajectories of the artists that we meet through this group.
“Amplify Associateships are intended to benefit the wider artistic community whilst supporting a single artist or company in their aims and I can’t think of a more suitable project than Behind Closed Doors, whose purpose is rooted in community and artist support.”
Cherelle Fulton, Founder and Director of Behind Closed Doors, commented:
“I’m really looking forward to bringing the Behind Closed Doors community with me to Nottingham Playhouse and having the opportunity to explore what’s possible when women can authentically bring their own lived experiences into their work, tell our stories and truly represent our communities within theatre. It feels really significant, particularly when theatre spaces can still feel inaccessible and gatekept for Black women and women of colour.
“Most importantly though, I’m excited about creating further opportunities for women to build skills, curate showcases, develop new work and connect with one another across creative disciplines.”
Amplify’s support to Behind Closed Doors will include one to one mentoring, space in the building for meetings and workshops, seed funding to support project development, producing time and artist fees, and signposting and advocacy. Amplify Members will benefit from fostering new connections across art forms in the city and taking part in workshops run by Behind Closed Doors. The first event can be booked via Eventbrite.
Andy Routledge (In Other Words, Arcola Theatre and UK Tour; Swim, Theatre by the Lake and UK Tour) is a director and dramaturg from Northamptonshire specialising in directing and developing new writing, and his work has been shown at more than 200 theatres. He is a two-time finalist for the RTST Sir Peter Hall Director award and a senior reader for the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting. He is currently receiving artist development from the RSC.
Andy’s previous roles include Resident Assistant Director at Royal Exchange, Resident Director for the Directors Charitable Foundation and United Learning’s Get Directing! programme, Associate Artist for NYT and Young Company Director at Royal & Derngate.
Andy Routledge said:
“I’m delighted to be joining Nottingham Playhouse as an Amplify Associate. As Amplify continues to grow as a vital resource for artists across the Midlands, I’m excited to lead a new group for directors to share their craft, meet future collaborators and be part of a supportive community.”
Beccy D’Souza, Artist Development Producer, said:
“I’m really looking forward to working with Andy over the next 18 months to explore how we can support and work with Directors in the Midlands, starting with our Directors Day on 28 October. He has a huge amount of directing and dramaturgical skill and experience and I’m excited by the impact his connection with Nottingham Playhouse will have on the wider Amplify network of artists.”
Amplify is Nottingham Playhouse’s Artist Development programme. With over 1200 members currently, Amplify is a network of local artists where ideas can be shared, challenged and grown. Throughout the year, there are opportunities and events to help professional artists develop skills, showcase work and connect with other artists. These include quarterly AMPLIFY: SEASONS events, scratch nights, masterclasses, co-working and one to one mentoring. Membership is open to artists who live in or come from the Midlands.
Posted on 10 September 2026
