Birds of Paradise Theatre Company

Scotland's touring theatre company promoting disabled artists and supporting the arts sector

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About Us ►  

Staff

Our core staff team

Our core staff team. When we are ‘in production’ (eg rehearsing and touring) our team can expand to thirty or more, but the rest of the year these are our team members who plan, develop and deliver BOP’s work.

All headshot photography taken by Andrew Jackson at Curse These Eyes

Robert Softley Gale

Artistic Director & CEO

I am BOP’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer – which means I work with the rest of the team in setting our programme for the year and in making sure we deliver it to the highest standards. I have responsibility for budgets – monitoring what we spend and ensuring our income targets are met. Alongside our Executive Director, I decide which productions we will do, what our projects will aim to achieve and who we will work with.

I frequently direct our productions – sometimes working with Associate Directors to realise a show. As a performer of many years I have also appeared in a few BOP shows, most recently Come to Bed With Me and Blanche & Butch, which I also wrote. I am a Trustee on the board of the Tron Theatre in Glasgow.

Contact me if:

  • You would like to talk about partnering with BOP on a future project
  • You would like to explore a future production
  • You would like to talk about our past productions, casting procedures, etc
  • Or for any other general enquiries
The image is a close-up portrait of a man laughing heartily. The man is the central focus, occupying most of the frame. His face is expressive, showing a wide, genuine smile with visible teeth and slightly squinted eyes, indicating a strong emotion of joy or amusement. He has short, dark hair styled upward in a slight mohawk. He wears rectangular, dark-framed glasses. The man's skin tone is fair. He is wearing a light-colored, striped shirt with horizontal stripes in a reddish-brown hue. The background is a muted green color, suggesting an indoor setting, possibly a studio. The composition is well-lit, and the focus is sharp on the man's face, bringing out the details of his features and expression. The overall tone of the image is positive and inviting.

Email: robert@boptheatre.co.uk

Download my Digital Access Statement

Robert’s full bio

Mairi Taylor

Executive Director

I am BOP’s Executive Director which means I work with the Artistic Director to oversee the activity of the company. I work on productions present and future, ensuring the right teams are in place and that we have strong plans for project work connected to productions. I have worked collaboratively on many BOP productions including as Dramaturg on our 2019 production of My Left / Right Foot, Creative Producer on Don’t. Make. Tea. and as a co-collaborator on Orbits. 

My time is spent writing funding applications, evaluation reports, meeting people, planning with the BOP team as well as delivering training and consultations services to other organisations.

Contact me if:

  • You would like to talk about a development opportunity
  • You need help as an organisation or individual around disability equality in the arts
  • You have a question about Access Scottish Theatre
The image is a head-and-shoulders portrait of a woman. She has fair skin, light brown hair styled in a shoulder-length bob, and is smiling broadly, showing her teeth. Her eyes are light-colored, and she has subtle makeup. She is wearing a black, scoop-neck top. Her most striking feature is a pair of large, colorful earrings. Each earring consists of multiple, thin, rectangular strips of translucent plastic in vibrant colors: neon green, orange, pink, and blue. The earrings are long, reaching towards her shoulders. The background is a solid, dark green color, with a slightly textured appearance. The texture appears to be composed of diagonal lines that create a subtle pattern. The lighting is soft and even, illuminating the woman's face and highlighting the colors of the earrings. The composition is straightforward, with the woman centered in the frame. The focus is clearly on her face and the earrings. The overall impression is cheerful and stylish, with the colorful earrings providing a pop of visual interest against the solid background and the simple black top.

Email: mairi@boptheatre.co.uk

Download my Digital Access Statement

Mairi’s full bio

Michelle Rolfe

Producer

I am the Producer for BOP which means I work with the Executive Director and Artistic Director on delivering BOP Theatre productions. I ensure the smooth running of day to day activities and communications for our productions. I also support the development and strategic strands of BOP through project work and delivering training.

My time is spent contracting freelance staff, managing budgets, booking tour venues, ensuring company access requirements are met, managing production contacts, planning with the BOP team, meeting people and delivering training.

Contact me if:

  • You would like to talk about touring opportunities
  • You would like more information about our past or present productions
  • You would like to submit a speculative CV for a production or creative role on future work
  • You need to find out about invoices, payments and other administrative issues
  • You want to discuss something related to sustainability or green theatre practice
The image is a medium shot portrait of a woman with light skin, brown curly hair, and glasses. She is smiling slightly and looking directly at the camera. She's wearing a dark blue dress with white polka dots and a V-neck. A wooden fox pendant necklace is around her neck. The background is a muted green color. The woman has round glasses with a silver frame and black accents on the temples. Her lipstick is a soft pink. Her hair is styled with loose curls. She has small, round earrings. The dress appears to be made of a soft fabric. The fox pendant is a bright red and brown, with a black chain. The background has a subtle texture, possibly from a painted wall or textured fabric. The lighting appears to be soft and even, highlighting the woman's face and features. The composition is centered, focusing attention on the woman and her expression.

Email: michelle@boptheatre.co.uk

Download my Digital Access Statement

Michelle’s full bio

Jen McGregor

Associate Artistic Director

I am Birds of Paradise’s Associate Artistic Director, which means I’m on a fixed-term attachment to the company. This is a new role within BOP and we’re figuring out together what it’s going to be, so my job description is quite flexible. I work freelance as a director, playwright and dramaturg, so I’ll be putting those skills to work supporting the development of different BOP projects.

I’ll also be thinking a lot about skills development relating to artistic leadership, how that can be done in accessible ways, and how this is/isn’t currently taken into account in existing training roles, so contact me if you have thoughts on that. 

Email: jen@boptheatre.co.uk

Jen’s full bio

Morna McGeoch

Development Officer

I am the Development Officer, predominantly working on BOP Young Artists, which means I work with the Executive Director and the Engagement & Office Manager to plan, deliver and develop the Young Artists Project.

My time is spent planning workshops, discussing exciting development opportunities with other organisations, delivering workshops, managing trips to productions and events, writing funding applications, evaluation reports, and planning with the BOP team.

Contact me if you would like to talk about a development opportunity for disabled young artists.

The image is a studio portrait of a woman. She is positioned centrally in the frame, facing the camera and smiling broadly. The woman has fair skin, light brown hair styled in a shoulder-length bob, and light-colored eyes. She is wearing large, eye-catching earrings composed of vertical, brightly colored acrylic rods in shades of neon green, orange, pink, yellow, and blue. These earrings are the most striking element of the image. She is wearing a simple, black long-sleeved top with a scoop neckline. The background is a muted, olive-green color with a subtle textured pattern suggesting a diagonal arrangement. The lighting appears to be soft and diffused, illuminating the woman's face and highlighting the textures of her hair and clothing. The composition is a close-up, focusing on the woman’s face and upper body, emphasizing her expression and the vibrant earrings. The overall feel is positive and stylish.

Email: morna@boptheatre.co.uk

Download my Digital Access Statement

Morna’s full bio

Anna Richardson

Training Coordinator

I am the Training Coordinator, predominantly working with the Youth Arts Consultants and working on BOP’s training and consultancy services.

My time is spent booking in and delivering Disability Equality Training.

Contact me if you would like to book in some training or consultation.

The image is a head and shoulders portrait of a young woman with long, wavy red hair and fair skin. Her hair is parted slightly to the side and cascades down her shoulders. Her eyes are a light blue color, and she has a scattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks. She is wearing a navy blue turtleneck sweater. The woman is smiling slightly, and her expression is friendly and open. The background is a muted, greenish-gray color that appears to be a painted wall. The composition is simple and direct, with the woman centered in the frame. The lighting is soft and even, illuminating her face and hair. The overall tone of the image is warm and inviting. The textures are visible, from the fine hair strands to the ribbed pattern of the sweater. The image is well-composed and captures a natural and pleasant portrait.

Email: anna@boptheatre.co.uk

Anna’s full bio

Hannah Smit

Personal Assistant to the Executive Team

I am Personal Assistant to the Executive Team, which means I support the Artistic Director, Executive Director and Producer by providing administrative and practical support. This includes removing barriers and supporting the provision of accessible working environments and practices. 

My time is spent monitoring the BOP inbox, proofreading and editing documents, updating website copy, organising files, scheduling meetings, taking meeting notes and booking accessible travel and accommodation. I also support the delivery of the Access Scottish Theatre guides to venues across Scotland biannually. 

Contact me to schedule meetings with the team, process invoices or with any general enquiries about BOP Theatre.

The image presents a portrait of a young woman against a textured, dark green background. The woman is fair-skinned with long, straight blonde hair that falls to her shoulders. She has a warm, genuine smile revealing her teeth, and her eyes are a soft blue-gray. She's wearing a dark burgundy-colored shirt or sweater, with white piping outlining the collar and the edges of the sleeves. There are two buttons visible on the shirt. The background is a mottled, greenish-brown color, with subtle variations in texture, giving it an almost painted appearance. The lighting appears to be soft and diffused, casting gentle shadows and highlighting the woman's features. The composition is a medium shot, focusing on the woman's upper body and face, drawing the viewer's attention to her expression and the details of her attire. The overall mood is pleasant and inviting, suggesting a sense of approachability and warmth.

Email: hannah@boptheatre.co.uk

Hannah’s full bio