Nickie Miles-Wildin joins Graeae as Associate Director

With the departure of Amit Sharma to Birmingham Repertory Theatre, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Nickie Miles-Wildin as Graeae’s new Associate Director.

Nickie will lead on Graeae’s new writing programme, including Write to Play.  

Nickie has a wide and varied career, having worked with Graeae in various capacities over the last 15 years, as a writer, director and workshop facilitator. Nickie is best known for her role as Miranda in the London Paralympics Opening Ceremony 2012, co-directed by Jenny Sealey.

Nickie said: “I’m really excited to be joining Graeae as Associate Director. I’ve had a working relationship with the company since 1998 when Jenny came to see my one woman play 3ft Off The Ground at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (obviously I was only 7 when I made that piece!). It’s through Graeae that I grew as a performer and as a disabled woman. A big part of my disability journey. Having assisted Jenny on previous shows such as Blood Wedding and The House of Bernarda Alba I realised the impact Graeae has on the mainstream world – allowing the disabled narrative to take centre stage and therefore changing the cultural landscape.

For the last 18 months, I’ve been resident assistant director at The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester as part of the Regional Theatre Young Director’s Scheme. It has developed my confidence as a director, enabled me to forge working relationships with an array of creatives and gave me a passion for new writing. And with these skills and passion I’m thrilled to join Graeae in this role. I can’t wait to work with the Write To Play participants on their new writing, lead creative workshops for artists, schools etc and implement Graeae’s vision across the sector. It’s going to be a busy but exciting time.”

Jenny Sealey said: “I’m over the moon that Nickie is continuing and developing her relationship with Graeae by joining us as our new Associate Director to see us in to our 40th birthday. I’ve worked with Nickie many times before in various roles, as a brilliant actor, a sound workshop facilitator, and of course as a hugely talented director with an astute way of working with new writing. Nickie will therefore lead on our new writing and artistic strategy. Watch this space!”

Nickie’s Assistant Director credits for Graeae co-productions include Blood Wedding and The House of Bernarda Alba. For theRoyal Exchange Theatre, her Assistant Director credits include Mother Courage and her Children, Death of a Salesman, Frankenstein and Guys and Dolls. Directing credits include Rift New Writing Festival (Leeds Playhouse with Leeds University), Simon Stephens Presents (Royal Exchange Theatre), The Forest of Forgotten Discos (Contact /Jackie Hagan), The Tempest at Abraham Moss (Royal Exchange Theatre); Bingo Lingo (co-director/Wild N Beets); Disability Sex Archives, Two Can Toucan (TwoCan Theatre); Nana’s Jumble (Kazzum).

Nickie was also Staff Director on Mosquitoes at the National Theatre with a cast including Olivia Colman and Associate Director for the Ramps on the Moon/New Wolsey Theatre production of The Who’s Tommy. Nickie is an Associate Artist for Kazzum, and in 2014 she co-founded TwoCan, Gloucestershire’s first professional disabled-led theatre company.

For enquries or press requests, please contact Richard Matthews on 020 7613 6906 or email richard@graeae.org