Our Team
Joanna Carrick (1968-2026)
Founder and Artistic Director
Joanna Carrick founded Red Rose Chain in 1990 and grew the company to become a beacon for creativity and excellence in theatre in Suffolk and beyond. Jo was an extraordinary creative force with a remarkable passion for theatre, local heritage, and giving a voice to the underrepresented in our community. As a critically acclaimed playwright, she is best known for her much-loved play The Ungodly which played in Suffolk, London and New York, as well as her Tudor Trilogy featuring Fallen in Love, Put Out the Lights and Progress. Jo also directed our annual Theatre in the Forest productions, as well as productions at the Avenue Theatre.
From acclaimed new writing to finding original ways to tell a classic story, Jo specialised in getting all sorts of people hooked on theatre – whether it’s their first time or their hundredth. Jo’s ethos of inclusivity is ingrained in Red Rose Chain, and the company continues to deliver Jo’s incredible legacy of making theatre accessible to everyone, especially in its life-changing community groups for disadvantaged and disabled participants that Jo created. Her team will continue to produce Jo’s incredible plays and bring audiences more amazing theatre in Suffolk and beyond.
David Newborn
Executive Producer
As Red Rose Chain’s Executive Producer, David is very experienced at developing new writing (Fallen In Love, Put Out the Lights), Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Winter’s Tale), and community productions (Tuppence A Week, Esh & The Moon & The Stars). Most recently, David produced The Ungodly, which took Red Rose Chain to London and New York! He has also produced short films (Moving On Up, Body & Soul, Valentine’s Day) winning the Outstanding Contribution to Filmmaking Award at Newport Beach Film Festival.
He has created new pop-up theatre spaces including at The Tower of London, Theatre in the Forest, as well as Red Rose Chain’s purpose-built £1.2m Avenue Theatre in Ipswich.
David leads on creating Red Rose Chain’s productions, including co-directing Theatre in the Forest 2026 with Katy Latham.
Katy Latham
Producer
Katy works closely with David Newborn to create new and exciting work, including co-directing Theatre in the Forest 2026. Katy is an experienced theatre designer, designing for productions at The Avenue Theatre and Theatre in the Forest, as well in for the London and New York productions of The Ungodly. Recent design credits include Pinocchio, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tale of Mr Tod, Macbeth, and Alice in Wonderland.
Katy also leads on delivering Red Rose Chain’s community and outreach programme.
Rei Mordue
Community Project Leader
Rei Mordue is our Community Project leader, working across all our community work to deliver workshops and community productions! Rei leads our two Chainers youth theatres, writing and directing their shows, and is also as an actor in our professional shows, including Hamlet (2025), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2024), The Wind in the Willows (2023). Rei has trained through our community programme, starting as part of the Chainers youth theatre.
Joseph Russell
Community Project Leader (music)
Joseph is our Community Project Leader (music), running sessions for our community groups, as well as leading on music development in both professional and community productions. Alongside this, he has appeared in multiple professional shows for Red Rose Chain, including Alice in Wonderland (2025), Hamlet (2025) and The Winters Tale (2023).
Charlie Drane
Assistant Technician | Workshop Assistant
Charlie is our Assistant Technician, operating the sounds and lighting for many of our Red Rose Chain productions both at Theatre in the Forest and at The Avenue Theatre. He also provides support in our Junior Chainers sessions, and is a brilliant longstanding member of our Chainers Young Company!
Luke Lancaster
Finance Assistant
Luke is Red Rose Chain’s Finance Assistant and specialises in finance and reporting for our theatre and community projects. He works closely with David to manage the finances, as well as heading up our box office sales team for The Avenue and Theatre in the Forest.
Stephanie Drane
Avenue Facilities Manager
Steph is our Facilities Manager and manages the upkeep of The Avenue Theatre and Gippeswyk Hall. Steph also manages our prop and costume stores, as well as helping to build our theatre sets and seating.
