Sylvia Amanquah
Artistic Director
Sylvia’s love for performing arts began when she attended Anna Scher’s drama school in North London at the age of fourteen. After some time Sylvia dropped out from the school and went through a period of instability during the rest of her teens. It was these experiences, which led to her involvement with Clean Break Theatre Company based in Kentish Town. Clean Break Theatre a woman only arts organisation re-established Sylvia’s acting roots, which enabled her to further her career in this field. In 2001, Sylvia began a 3 years degree course in Drama Applied Theatre & Education at the renowned Central School of Speech & Drama.
During her degree years, she managed to build her skills working with various theatre companies like the Hackney Empire, The London Bubble Theatre and WAC performing arts & Media College whom she still maintains strong links. Working with young people inspired her to focus more on community theatre. In addition, she saw how effective theatre is in empowering young people through artistic expression, she also discovered that the facilities available for access into the arts, for young people did not match the demands, especially in the inner city environment. Growing up in the inner city areas she found that quality tutoring in dance or vocal coaching was not affordable for many and of the ones that were affordable waiting lists (which were often years long) was a common reality. Through Hardknock Productions Sylvia is working towards bridging the gap through quality artistic expression that is accessible to all young people, with the main focus being exploring the social issues which young people are confronted with and providing a platform to express they views and creative performances. Sylvia divides her time outside of Hardknock Productions between National Youth Theatre based in Islington, WAC Performing Arts as a freelance tutor. Sylvia is currently a board member at Clean Break Theatre Company.
Theatre creates powerful drama for vulnerable young people. We work with underachievers, those excluded or at risk of exclusion, young offenders and many others in a range of challenging social settings. Drama ignites imagination, nurtures confidence and trust, inspires potential and encourages belonging and responsibility. Sylvia Amanquah is available for freelance work for long or short term drama projects. Sylvia can either deliver tailored made issued based projects or follow the structural needs of the given placement. Sylvia has worked and collaborated for variety of established theatre organisations, on various projects thet Battersea Art centre, Roundhouse, WAC Performing Arts Media School and is currently an Associate artist at the National Youth Theatre.
