Sarah Jones
Artistic Director
Hello, I’m Sarah, Artistic Director of Mess Up The Mess which means I get to do lots of different things such as developing and delivering our creative programmes as well as running Tuesday and Thursday night Youth Theatre sessions in the Amman Valley and Community Action Projects across Wales. This means I get to work with lots of young people every day so I can hear all their ideas and support them to turn these into art which is lots of fun! I studied at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth gaining a BA(Hons) in Drama and went on to train at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts gaining a Postgraduate Diploma in Theatre Directing. I have always been passionate about the power of Youth Arts to transform young people’s lives as it made such huge difference to me while I was growing up. I love to have my family and all my friends around me especially when there is a party going on and my most annoying habit in the office is probably asking for support with my IT issues – I swear its the laptop and not me!

Chris Lewis Executive Director (Designated Safeguarding Officer)

Hello I’m Chris, Executive Director of Mess Up The Mess, I started working for MUTM in 2015,  I studied communication Studies in Coventry. Fun fact about me is I make my own bread.

Jay Smith
Volunteer Engagement Co-Ordinator (Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer)

Hello I’m Jay I am the Volunteer Engagement Co-Ordinator for Mess Up The Mess and I coordinate the Volunteering Project. I trained at Rose Bruford College where I achieved a BA(hons) Acting. I then went on to work as a professional actress and workshop facilitator in London for a number of years before returning to Wales to complete my PGCE in Post Compulsory Education. My favourite form of theatre is immersive theatre and love being transported to another world when watching a show. I love being on the beach with my Labrador and husband and 2 children and take any opportunity to have a paddle in the sea! My worst habit in the MUTM office is getting drawn into other people’s conversations.

Jo Shackley
Youth Arts Facilitator 
Hi I’m Jo, I support the running of  weekly Dyffryn Aman Theatre sessions. I graduated from Swansea Metropolitan University achieving a BA(hons) in Performing Arts. My favourite form of theatre is Physical Theatre, I have had the amazing opportunity to perform with Volcano Theatre Company and Elan Wales in Italy and France. My passion for Physical Theatre started when I studied Performing Arts in Coleg Sir Gar. I love my makeup  and also love my cat and dog (which the young people know very well). My most annoying habit in the Mess Up The Mess office is being a time optimist.

Cassidy Smith Community Producer – Queertawe & Creative Heritage Film Project Coordinator

Hello, I’m Cassidy and I support and coordinate the participants of the Queertawe project. I also coordinate Creative Heritage Film Project in Pontardawe. I graduated from St Mary’s University Twickenham with a Ba(hons) in Applied Theatre before moving back to Wales. I love being able to work with young people in their local communities and using theatre to improve their well-being, confidence in themselves and make friendships. My favourite form of theatre is immersive work with a social or political message running through it but I also love going to see a Musical Theatre show. Outside of work I love baking and playing video games with my partner. I haven’t been in the office long but my most annoying habit would probably be getting distracted by anything and everything…and having a natter!

Louise Waring Administrative Officer
Hi. I’m Lou the Administrator for Mess Up the Mess. I’m the one who works behind the scenes – not backstage but you’ll usually find me in the office headquarters behind my desk surrounded by lots of files, spreadsheets.

Other staff members

Amina Abu-Shahba – Project Co-Ordinator (Creative Community Workshops)

Katie Jenkins –  Creative Heritage Film Project Worker 

Board of Directors 

Peri Wagstaff – Chair 

Peter Kingsbury

Nina Vangerow

Rhian Davies 

Callum Bruce Phillips