OUR TEAM
MARK DORNFORD-MAY
Artistic Director
Mark is our multi award winning director and co-founder and Artistic Director. Born in Yorkshire and brought up in Chester, he founded Isango Ensemble (South Africa) in 2000. Mark has directed all of Isango’s stage productions; The Mysteries – Yiimimangaliso, The Snow Queen, Der Silbersee, The Beggars Opera- Ibali Loo Tsotsi, Carmen, The Magic Flute –Impempe Yomlingo, A Christmas Carol – iKrismas Kherol, Aesop’s Fables, La Boheme –Abanxaxhi, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists – Izigwili Ezidlakazelayo, Venus and Adonis, uCarmen, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Man of Good Hope, SS Mendi – Dancing the Death Drill and St. Matthew Passion.
These productions have led to awards such as Olivier Award, London, Globes de Cristal, Paris, and New York Critics Circle Award. He has also produced and directed all its films; TYPO uCarmen eKhayelitsha , (winner of the Golden Bear Award at the 2005 Berlin International Film Festival) Son of Man,(Jury Prize SundanceFilm Festival) Unogumbe – Noye’s Fludde and Breathe – Umphefumlo.
Mark is based in County Durham.
SUD BASU
Creative Consultant & Executive Producer
Sud is a Creative Consultant, Programmer and Producer and has worked in the cultural sector for over 15 years - supporting artists, commissioning and presenting art works and creating nationally significant cultural programmes. His career has connected him with organisations such as the Greater London Authority, Arts Council England, London Legacy Development Corporation and The Place. He has led on the curation of Trafalgar Square, devised a cultural programme for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and producers new work for and with artists such as: Isango Ensemble, William Kentridge, Anthony Gormley and Akram Khan.
Notably, Sud was Commissioning Producer for 14-18 NOW – an award-winning major arts programme marking the centenary of the First World War. He was also Associate Director for London Borough of Culture in Lewisham in 2022.
Sud is currently Director of Third Version Creative, a creative consultancy and development agency working internationally to support creative projects. Third Version Creative is part of a Consortium with Crying Out Loud and is part of the Arts Council England National Portfolio. Sud is a Governor of Rose Bruford College, and a trustee of Without Walls and London Sinfonietta
JODIE NICHOLSON
Marketing & Communications Associate
Jodie has worked within the North East’s music sector over the past 5 years, both as a musician, recording, releasing and promoting her own music, and as a freelancer supporting North-East-based organisations, labels and platforms championing regional talent.
Before working in the music industry, Jodie graduated Leeds Arts University with a degree in Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design and freelanced as a researcher for consultancy agencies in design trends, connecting global events and innovations with consumer psychology and design.
Her experience across both disciplines and passion for working behind the scenes has lead to a career in marketing, branding and communication within the North East’s cultural sector, helping businesses, artists and organisations promote their vision and foster deeper connections with their audience.
Jodie is from County Durham.
“Ensemble ‘84's decision to establish our base at Horden Methodist Church is rooted in our belief in the transformative power of community-driven art.”
— Mark Dornford-May, Artistic Director