Belinda Chapman

Creators of Theatre for Children - Winner 2007

Having had a passion for theatre from an early age it is not surprising that Belinda attended the English National Ballet School at the age of 17, while developing her drama and acting skills at The City Lit and the Actors Center. After some experience in the dance and theatrical worlds including choreographing a short film titled The Hunt, she started to combine both acting and dancing. As her career developed she began working creatively with New Adventures, a dance theatre company whose productions have won many a Tony and Evening Standard award.
During the last two years Belinda has been establishing herself as a director and theatre maker putting her efforts into Bea Theatre, a company that aims to encourage young people to express themselves in the medium of physical theatre. This is achieved through the combination of movement and dance with other theatrical forms such as drama, physical theatre and clowning working alongside an active workshop programme. Ruby and the Big Top, one of Belinda's previous works is a sideways look at the hilarious performances and secretive lives of circus clowns with music composed by Steven Warbeck.