Meet the team
Meet some of the awesome people who keep Circus Central ticking.
Mia Hartley-Oliver
Jane is an artist and aerialist who teaches aerial to adults and children at CC. She also teaches yoga, acro yoga and Thai massage. If you lie down on the floor for long enough she might stretch your muscles out for you or stand on you - depending on how she’s feeling
Jane Park
Hannah joined us when she was 19 and never looked back. Now she is our Five Ring Circus director, a professional clown, aerialist and producer. She often conjures up ideas with Nat for our shows, and directs our ensemble groups and solo artists
Hannah Thompson
Ellie is an acrobat who teaches after school club, home education, troupe and BTEC
Ellie Phillips
Nat is a teacher of circus and stagecraft, particularly manipulation and balance. He is a ringmaster despite being a professional fool. He loves the circus because of its endless challenges and the warm community where being an oddbod is welcomed and celebrated.
Nat White
Tanya, aka Fiery Little T is a Newcastle based circus performer. "I specialise in hula hooping and fire but I also stilt walk and enjoy aerial. I love circus because it keeps me healthy, happy and pays my bills!"
Tanya Oxbury
I’m Catherine, a pro dancer, teacher & director of Control & Move Fitness CIC. I deliver on the BTEC with dance acro and conditioning classes. In circus, anything is possible. I love to learn new ways to teach to be as inclusive and diverse as possible! And it’s proper fun!
Catherine Muckle
Wilf teaches acrobatics and Five Ring Youth Circus, as well as handstands and stretch. Wilf grew up with the circus with a mum who teaches and performs. "I was in Troupe and then did the BTEC. Now I perform and teach. I like circus because I love learning physical skills... and there’s a lot of them in circus!"
Wilf Campbell
Jane Diamond
Claire is the education director at Circus Central. When she isn’t spinning fire or spending time upside down and in the air, she is managing and teaching on Circus Central's BTEC programme. Her circus journey began when she was offered the opportunity to dance in the air instead of on the floor, and she’s not looked back!
Claire Harvey
Ross Taylor
Gaz is an acrobalance teacher. "I'm an acro base, infrequent flyer and occasional juggler outside of circus and the 9-5 (business analyst), you'll find me in the hills: biking or hiking. Have been known to take the odd photograph."
Gaz Dick
Dan is a juggler and street performer. When he's not fixing things around the building, you'll find him teaching children to juggle fire... professionally, of course
Dan Brown
Kirsty is a Scottish performer and teacher with a particular interest in trapeze. She loves teaching kids and adults to see their confidence and passion grow.
Kirsty Shand
Freya Averley
Lynn has worked in the field of dance, body work, well-being and aerial dance for many years. She also runs Arts Connect for the Children with Disabilities Team. Lynn teaches aerial dance: "For the last 15 years I’ve spent lots of my time hanging on to aerial kit and supporting others, I seriously love the art of trapeze and aerial dance!"
Lynn Campbell
Mike teaches juggling but has been known to dabble in acrobatics. He loves that circus has something for everyone and that beauty and complexity can emerge from such simple beginnings as throwing and catching. When not juggling he attempts to play the piano and design video games.
Mike Banks
Paul Dewhurst
Sarah is the CEO at Circus Central. She is also a walkabout stilts performer. "I first tried circus because I love climbing and getting fit, whilst having a lot of fun!"
Sarah Carrie
Claire is the education director at Circus Central. When she isn’t spinning fire or spending time upside down and in the air, she is managing and teaching on Circus Central's BTEC programme. Her circus journey began when she was offered the opportunity to dance in the air instead of on the floor, and she’s not looked back!
Claire Harvey
Sarah is the CEO at Circus Central. She is also a walkabout stilts performer. "I first tried circus because I love climbing and getting fit, whilst having a lot of fun!"
Sarah Carrie
Paul Dewhurst
Lucy Appleton
Hannah joined us when she was 19 and never looked back. Now she is our Five Ring Circus director, a professional clown, aerialist and producer. She often conjures up ideas with Nat for our shows, and directs our ensemble groups and solo artists
Hannah Thompson
Jill is Circus Central's Outreach Officer. Her roots are in theatre and dance. And having been mesmerised by spinning fire poi, she is now enjoying a creative odyssey through the circus arts
Jill Chambers
Joe Hall
Angeline Lucas
Jude loves watching circus in awe. Jude's eldest daughter loves youth aerial and dreams of running away with the circus. Jude joined the board to help her and other children realise that dream
Jude Grange
Mike is secretary of the board and also a teacher of aerial fitness. He has a Comp Sci degree and his motto consists of two parts "enjoying" and "really good at", inserted into the following sentence: You don’t have to be _____ circus as long as you are _____ it
Michael Pike
Minty Swan
Gaz is an acrobalance teacher. "I'm an acro base, infrequent flyer and occasional juggler outside of circus and the 9-5 (business analyst), you'll find me in the hills: biking or hiking. Have been known to take the odd photograph."
Gaz Dick
I have always loved circus, dance, music and all kinds of performance, and I particularly enjoy finding ways for children to see and discover their skills in these things. I have been on the board from the very beginning and am proud to have helped Circus Central grow into the amazing organisation it is.
Shirley Mills
Nina has a huge amount of passion and determination for both Cultural Events and the Third Sector. Since completing her Masters in Event Management she has undertaken various roles within fundraising, festivals and administration specifically within the cultural sector. Nina's other passion is the performing arts: "Since being young I’ve performed and my first degree was in performing arts. Being involved with Circus Central has allowed me to rediscover a passion for performance, I’ve done a clown course, started spinning poi, taught vocal technique and am now working on a one-woman comedy act!"
Nina Ritson
Elise is Chair of the Board of Trustees, and when not chasing the ever-elusive handstand she swing dances, sings in a jazz band and runs a small business. Her two children are proud members of the Five Ring Circus Youth Circus. Elise is an enthusiastic beginner at everything from aerial and acro to juggling and clowning: "I believe in circus because it is creative and collaborative, physical and playful, and gives everyone a chance to shine in their own way"
Elise Hopper
