Michelle Perez

Theatr Iolo has been at the forefront of creating theatre for children in Wales for almost 40 years. We are passionate about nurturing and igniting the imagination and creativity of young minds, to help children make sense of the world around them and to find their place within it. We work with the best artists, writers and creatives, to create memorable and bold live theatre, workshops and activities in both English and Welsh. Our work for babies, children and teenagers is toured across Wales, the UK and internationally. Our vision is for all children to be empowered and inspired. We enrich the lives of children through memorable experiences that challenge the mind and stir the imagination.

Theatr Iolo may be a small company, but we are a team with enormous heart, creativity and determination. At our core are just two full-time and three part-time staff, but our extended family is much bigger. Each year, we create opportunities for freelancers across 75–150 roles, bringing together talented artists, creatives and theatre professionals who share our passion for making extraordinary experiences for children. Every single person, whether employed or freelance, gives so much of themselves to our work. The hours can be long, the budgets tight and the financial rewards modest, but what unites us is something far greater: a genuine belief in the power of theatre to change lives. Together, we create imaginative productions and activities that spark curiosity, build confidence and open up new worlds for children, whatever their background or circumstances. I'm constantly humbled by the generosity, talent, resilience and sheer hard work of the people around me. They find solutions when resources are scarce, support each other through challenges and never lose sight of why we do what we do. I'm incredibly proud to lead this team, but I know that none of our achievements would be possible without them. We may be small in numbers, but together we make a difference far bigger than our size. And at the heart of everything we do is one simple belief: every child deserves the chance to experience the magic of theatre.

I grew up on a council estate in Cardiff with a single mum and an absent father. Money was tight, and my brother and I learnt young that everyone had to pull together. We both started working at 13. I even sold my school dinner ticket for 50p to put money in the electricity meter. It wasn’t a grand gesture; it was simply what needed doing. I wasn’t the most academic child, but I worked hard and found joy in creative subjects. The arts gave me a sense of possibility. Getting to university felt like a huge achievement, and even with a full grant I worked 30 hours a week alongside my studies. Those years taught me resilience, independence and the value of never giving up. My career began behind the reception desk of an art gallery. I was curious, willing to learn and ready to take every opportunity. I progressed to marketing assistant, then marketing manager, working across galleries and theatre venues before becoming Executive Director of a producing theatre company. There was no straight path or magic shortcut. It took long hours, courage, adaptability and people willing to give me a chance. Every role taught me something, and every challenge reminded me why I wanted to work in the arts. Today, leading a small team means juggling finance, fundraising, HR, projects and strategy, often with very limited resources. But the responsibility feels deeply personal. I know how much opportunity matters when you grow up without much. The girl who once found 50p to keep the electricity on now works to keep the lights on in a theatre company, so that children, whatever their circumstances, can discover the power of their own imaginations.