Jamie Beddard

Jamie Beddard is Joint Artistic Director of Diverse City and Lead Artist in Extraordinary Bodies. He is also a consultant, trainer and workshop leader, and has worked across the arts, educational and social sectors.

Recent artistic projects include the Extraordinary Bodies theatre productions; Waldo’s Circus of Magic and Terror (co-writer with Hattie Naylor), Delicate, (writer and co-director); and the New Wolsey Theatre production of The Red Lion (assistant director).

As a performer Jamie has played the title role in the Elephant Man, the Leader in The Messiah at Bristol Old Vic, the role of Mathias in The National Theatre’s production of The Threepenny Opera, and performed in ‘Weighting’, a large-scale outdoor circus show created by Extraordinary Bodies. His acting credits go on to include Quills, I.D, All the King’s Men, Wonderful You, Ubu, Alice in Wonderland, Flesh Fly, 15 Seconds, and Waiting for Godot.

He has previously been Agent for Change at The New Wolsey Theatre, Diversity Officer at the Arts Council, and an Associate Director at Graeae Theatre Company.

Jamie is a Patron of Face Front, and on the Board of Metal Culture, Level Playing Field and The New Wolsey Theatre. He a Clore Fellow and on the Leadership team of What’s Next?

“Communication and storytelling are key to connection, belonging and empathy.  Speech Bubbles is a proven programme of developing the skills of young children in these areas, the legacies of which last a lifetime.  Fun and play are centred ensuring engagement, creativity and implicit learning.  As a performer with communication differences myself, I am only to aware of the need to imbue confidence in the classroom, in the playground and in life.  Speech Bubbles does this brilliantly, I am delighted to support this initiative and can’t wait to read the writing/stories that emerge.”