Meet the team

Anita Karla Kelly, Artistic Lead

Anita runs the drama and poetry sessions on Fridays and has been with the Misfits since 2006. She enjoys organising fun trips out, events and exhibitions with the poetry group. Anita devises new films and scripts with the Misfits, giving a platform to people with learning disabilities to be heard is her passion. Anita has trained in movement with Dance Voice, Community theatre at UWE, MA in professional writing. Anita is a writer and performer, her writing has received recognition from Royal Court Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Theatre Royal Plymouth and BBC radio 4 audio awards.

Beth Richards, Actor and Project Administrator

Beth has been a member of the Misfits Theatre Company for over 10 years. Beth started to come to our drama workshops and loved them so much, she joined our poetry workshops as well. Beth performs with the training group, performing has given her the confidence to speak up for herself. She loves to teach others about the lives of people with learning disabilities through performance and poetry she has created films, poetry and performance. Beth also works in the office as Project Admin, where she supports with articles for the website, commissions and developing project ideas.

Brenda Callis, Membership and Activities Co-ordinator

Brenda is an experienced administrator, playwright and theatre-maker. She has provided admin support to arts charity Creative Youth Network and theatres Bristol Old Vic and The Room Above, as well as training as a producer at Tobacco Factory Theatres. Growing up surrounded by art and music with her autistic brother, Brenda is passionate about working creatively with people with learning disabilities, and is the main contact for members at Misfits Theatre.

Speak to Brenda about all things Misfits! As well as answering any questions you have, she also helps arrange payments, members meetings, newsletters, trips and more.

David Hanford, Admin Assistant

David started coming to the Misfits in 2013. He loves learning new skills and making new friends. David works part time in the office and is part of the Administration team that helps to develop promotional material and the Website. “The Misfits is the best place to be”.

Frank Spencer, Film maker and Trustee

Frank has built his career in communications and training, he now runs a video production company in Bristol making 'social issues' programmes for a whole range of voluntary sector, local government and industry clients. Over the past 15 years or so Frank has collaborated with the Misfits to help them produce some creative, informative and often laugh-out-loud films. They are such an inventive and resourceful group to work with.

Georgina Cockburn

Georgie leads the Thursday Movement Groups with Lottie, she came to Misfits in September 2026. She is a community dance artist and researcher, and has focused on facilitating and making dance with people with learning disabilities for much of her working life. Georgie has worked with UK organisations including Bristol Old Vic, Myrtle Theatre Company, Corali Dance Company, the National Autistic Society, Chickenshed and Rambert Dance Company. She co-founded an inclusive dance initiative in China, Pojie Arts | 破界艺术, and combines her performance making experience with training and experience in dance and health practices. She is driven by a insatiable curiosity into individual and collective ways of creating and expressing ourselves in dance.

Jenna Graves, Finance Administrator

Jenna joined the Misfits team in 2023 supporting with bookkeeping and finance administration. Jenna has been working as a freelance event manager/venue operator in Bristol for almost 20 years and brings lots of knowledge of working in arts and charity organisations.

Jieun Lee, Drama Facilitator

Jieun Lee is a community theatre maker, a drama facilitator and a musician. In South Korea she trained in MA drama and theatre and made theatre with various community groups including young offenders, refugees, and the homeless. Since she studied MA performance making at Goldsmiths college in London and moved to Bath, she has discovered her passion to explore and develop creative potential of people with learning disabilities through drama. Her approach focuses on creating a supportive and engaging environment where all participants feel valued and empowered to express themselves. By utilising creative storytelling, improvisation, and drama games, she is passionate about encouraging Misfits members to build confidence, enhance communication skills, and foster social connections.

Jules Allan, Creative Wellbeing Facilitator

Jules runs the wellbeing group on Wednesdays and has worked in the arts for over 25 years. Jules loves teaching and facilitating groups, she is trained in: Clowning, Dance, Movement, Theatre, Yoga, Meditation. Jules is training to be an Integrative Counsellor. Jules has worked with a range of organisations including; The Arts Council Advisory Access Scheme, Inclusion Gloucestershire, Spike Island, and Wiltshire Youth Arts Partnership.

Lesley Russ, Trustee

Lesley has been a trustee for the MISFITs since they became a charity. Lesley first got to know, and work with the MISFITs over 20 years ago when she worked in the NHS as a Learning Disability nurse in Bristol. Lesley moved to work in the council and, subsequently to UWE, she worked in partnership with them to develop staff training and to educate others about the evidence of inequalities in health, using their experiences of living with a Learning Disability. Lesley says 'do brilliant work, being an innovative and amazing organisation. I love and am privileged to know and work with them.'

Karina Castro Rascon, Chair of Trustees

Through Karina's former role as Trinity Community Arts Projects Manager, she was introduced to Misfits and she started volunteering with the company in 2010 supporting their fundraising and transition from CIC to CIO. Karina was appointed a Trustee in 2014, and appointed Chair in early 2024, to actively contribute to the Board of Directors, giving strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets, and evaluating performance.

Rhiannon Jones, Strategic Lead

Rhiannon worked alongside Misfits as a partner from Trinity Community Arts where she was Programme Director before joining Misfits in 2023. She holds a BA in Fine Art, an MA in Arts Policy and Management and was part of the Clore Social – Experienced Leaders Programme 2022. Rhiannon is also Executive Director for Bristol based charity Circus City.
Rhiannon works to strengthen Misfits business planning and funding strategy to secure our charity’s future for years to come. If you have an idea you would like to explore then get in touch: rhiannon @ misfitstheatre.com

Ripley Williamson-King, Trustee

Ripley was appointed as a Trustee in November 2024. She works at UWE Bristol supporting academics with their events and communications to help them make their research work more accessible to a wider audience. She previously worked at a Citizens Advice Bureau as an administrator and an advisor and before that she worked at the Trinity Centre as an events coordinator, managing community events and weddings...even one or two Rhythm of the Night events! She has a passion for accessibility within the arts and is skilled at event planning, marketing and supporting people around her.

Sara Melton, Operational Lead

Sara joined the Misfits in 2012, every day is different at the Misfits which always keeps it exciting. Sara has a Drama degree and has worked with people with learning disabilities for over 17 years. Working with the Misfits has enabled her to blend her two passions, drama and working with people with a learning disability. Sara works with the acting group, who go out and perform for audiences, raising awareness of what life is like having a learning disability. Sara also works with the Friday drama group and manages the monthly nightclub event ‘Rhythm of the Night’.

Sue Turner, Trustee

Sue got to know the Misfits when she worked for the Health Service, and then the National Development Team for Inclusion. Sue says, 'The Misfits did some great performances for us at conferences, as well as making excellent films with strong messages for staff. When I stopped working full-time I was very pleased that I was able to become a trustee to support this excellent organisation.'

Tony Holdom BEM, Founder

Tony founded the Misfits theatre company in 2005, Tony started the group as 'Silent Voice' in 1997. Tony's love of laughter, playfulness and joy has run through all of the Misfits groups from the beginning. Tony has empowered the people he has worked with, creating a space for people with learning disabilities to speak up. Tony's work was recognised by the Queen in 2022 when he recieved a BEM award.Tony retired in May 2023 and spends time travelling and talking to his rabbits.