Meet the Team

  • Associate Producer

    Omeima is a British-Sudanese textile artist, craft maker and independent curator who has exhibited both nationally and internationally, receiving an MBE in 2022 for services to people with disabilities in the Arts.

    Omeima was also awarded ‘runner-up’ for the Arab British Centre Award for Culture (individual award) 2019. The Award for Culture celebrates organisations and individuals whose work has significantly contributed to the British public’s understanding of the Arab world over the last two years. 

    Omeima is a Clore Cultural Leadership Fellow 2019/20, a creative consultant, accessibility consultant and trainer and a leader in creating Deaf and hearing integrated activities, promoting both equity and professional development opportunities.

  • Lead Producer
    Since 2005, I have embraced various roles in the performing arts as a freelance facilitator, scriptwriter, BSL (British Sign Language) storyteller, actor, stage manager, ambassador, director, consultant, producer, and BSL poet. Currently, I am engaged in a unique and innovative production titled 'Eva' with the talented theatre company Ad Infinitum. Additionally, I have the privilege of working with Vamos Theatre as a Deaf Ambassador and Facilitator, where I contribute to making theatre more accessible and engaging for the Deaf community. I am also pursuing a Master's degree in Theatre at the Guildford School of Acting (GSA), further enhancing my understanding and skills in the theatre field.

    In celebration of Flarewave Festival, I am honoured to take on the role of Lead Producer. We have an array of exciting plans and events lined up; all aimed at showcasing the immense value of Deaf arts and enriching the festival experience for everyone involved. Stay tuned for more updates as we bring our vision to life!

    It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.

  • Assistant Producer

    Nadia Nadarajah is an award-winning actress, presenter, and advocate for deaf access in the arts.

    A fluent BSL user, she is best known for her leading role in Cleopatra at Shakespeare’s Globe and for delivering BSL tours at major cultural institutions for over 15 years. Nadia is the host of Thrive Live, a monthly streamed talk show by and for deaf women, creating space for open conversation, identity, and connection. She has recently returned to directing with her second short film, coming soon to LumoTV, and continues to focus her career on theatre, film, and developing new deaf-led stories.

  • Film Curator

    David Ellington’s roles have been diverse, including film, theatre, and television drama and presenting since 1997. David has always enjoyed creative works including TV / film making projects and theatre workshop projects which includes running theatre courses for young Deaf and disabled students.

    David co-founded ViSign Film Festival at Waterside Media Centre, Bristol in 2003 and 2005, attracting deaf and hearing visitors to insight what the deaf shorts were, building up the good relationship with other arts media organisations.

    In 2015, David's stint as Agent for Change, supported by Arts Council England (South West), David consulted with the top creative team, Watershed in Bristol, to pave different ways of improvement to be an inclusive venue and also did numerous arts organisations to raise deaf awareness and engagement toward the Deaf community. He was awarded in Bristol’s 100 BME Powerlist 2018.

    He is currently involved in leading monthly events -  Deaf Conversations About Cinema at Watershed. It has been running since 2016.

  • Consultant Producer

    Tom Curteis is an experienced International Cultural Manager and Creative Producer specialising in interdisciplinary projects.

    In additional to his role with Flarewave Festival, Tom was recently the Senior Producer for Shubbak Festival, a leading platform that celebrates the creativity of Arab and South West Asian & North African (SWANA) artists. Previously, Tom was the Cultural & International Programme Manager for LEEDS 2023: Year of Culture, where he oversaw a diverse portfolio of multi-artform projects featuring collaborators with partners from across 54 countries.

    In 2024, he co-founded the Cipta Seni Incubator, an artist development programme supporting Malaysian artists with capacity building opportunities, in partnership with Kuala Lumpur’s Five Arts Centre.

    His earlier roles include Programme Manager for the UK/Australia Season of Culture 2021–22 at the British Council’s Festivals & Seasons department. He also worked in the British Council’s Theatre & Dance department, coordinating tours across East Asia and the MENA region.

    Tom is deeply passionate about festivals, cultural partnerships, and inclusive arts. He is an aspiring British Sign Language student and alumnus of international programmes such as the CREDO Autumn School, Cifas Producers Academy, IETM Campus, European Theatre Academy, and the Global Cultural Relations Programme.

    In 2024, he became Singapore International Foundation Arts Fellow and alumnus of the Festival Academy, an initiative of the European Festivals Association. Tom currently sits on the advisory board of Leeds International African Arts Festival and is a trustee of Hijinx Theatre and Kakilang.

  • Consultant Producer

    Alex has been producing plays since he was thirteen. Recent productions include Backstairs Billy

    (Wyndham’s Theatre), God’s Dice (Soho Theatre), A Prayer for Wings (King’s Head Theatre), Clybourne

    Park and Gently Down the Stream (Park Theatre – Olivier Award nomination for Outstanding

    Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre), Homos, or Everyone in America and Adding Machine: A

    Musical (Finborough Theatre) and One Arm (Southwark Playhouse – Off West End Award). Alex has

    worked for producers and companies including the Michael Grandage Company (as Associate Producer),

    Deafinitely Theatre (as Producer), Glynis Henderson Productions, Unigram, Playful Productions, Sheffield

    Theatres (as Interim Producer and Programmer), Rupert Lord, Patrick Myles and David Luff, Bush

    Theatre (as Interim Producer), Lee Dean, TheatreCraft, Kate Morley PR, Frantic Assembly, Royal

    Shakespeare Company and as co-founding Artist and Producer at non zero one. He also works as a

    British Sign Language Communication Support Worker and recently founded an agency, the Lovely Talent

    Collective. Alex has been supported by a Stage One bursary for producers and an MGC Futures bursary.

  • Social Media Coordinator

    Katrina is an illustrator, product designer, and business owner based in Nottingham.

    She also works on marketing and social media for a local deaf charity part-time. Passionate about art, creativity, accessibility, inclusivity, and visual storytelling, Katrina is thrilled to be working for Flarewave Festival and ensuring all the information across social media platforms is clear and accessible for all.

    Katrina has always been working solo most of her career until recently when she started working for a deaf charity and is honoured for even more opportunity to work within the deaf community.

  • Visual Designer

    Bringing a vibrant blend of experience and a unique perspective, Andrew is a freelance Creative Graphic Designer and Illustrator. His design philosophy, deeply rooted in storytelling, child-like playfulness, and personal childhood experiences, ensures his graphics truly resonate.

    Andrew's approach is enriched by his diverse background, which includes everything from early graffiti art to intricate architectural and interior design. He's passionate about cultivating new ideas through digital design and keeps a close eye on the latest color trends. Drawing endless inspiration from Bauhaus architecture and the Memphis movement, Andrew consistently seeks innovative ways to tell stories through compelling visuals.

    He's particularly enthusiastic about participating in the visual design for the Flarewave Festival and unleashing his endless creativity for the event.

  • Stall Coordinator

    Vicky Barber-Crimes is a freelance deaf visual artist, art workshops facilitator, artist resident in Arches Studios in Southampton, and a co-founder of Deaf Visual Artists UK group (DVAUK). Passionate about the visual art for the deaf community, she travels across UK to facilitate art workshops, showcase and sell her artworks at deaf events.

    Vicky looks forward to working in Flarewave team as Stalls Coordinator.

  • BSL Touring

    With over 20 years of experience in education, Ally brings a deep passion for the arts and a commitment to accessibility. Her artistic journey began in 1984 with a Pre-BA Foundation Art course at Hastings College of Art.

    Ally is an avid art lover and spends much of her free time visiting exhibitions across Sussex and London. She has given guided talks at renowned institutions including Tate Britain, Tate Modern, the Royal Academy of Arts, and has also led a tour at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

    Proud of her Deaf identity, Ally is a strong advocate for inclusive arts. She firmly believes in the importance of offering artistic and theatrical experiences in British Sign Language (BSL), helping to ensure the Deaf community can fully engage with and enjoy the cultural landscape.

  • Voluntary Coordinator

    David Dunlin offers a rich background combining decades of experience in both education and engineering. He recently retired from Hamilton Lodge School, where he spent 25 years teaching Mathematics and ICT to deaf students. Before that, David's 20-year engineering career included roles as an electrical and control system engineer.

    Now, David lectures part-time, specializing in Deaf Culture and British Sign Language for first-year students. He's a highly experienced BSL instructor, having taught all levels (1-6) and even Sign Language Trainee Interpreters.

    Beyond his work, David is an avid DIY enthusiast (electrics, woodwork) and a dedicated Liverpool FC supporter. He's very much looking forward to contributing to the organisation as a voluntary co-ordinator.