actor/performer/puppeteer
Samuel is an actor and puppeteer based in North East Lincolnshire, working in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. He is a SO Festival Supported Artist, Director of Grim & Gleeful CIC and freelance actor and puppeteer. In 2026, Samuel established PuppetryNEL, a network for puppeteers, and creatives interested in puppetry, in North East Lincolnshire.
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​​​​November 2023 - February 2024 - Create North East Lincolnshire's Development Fund
The development fund allowed Samuel to develop as a puppeteer. With the fund, he built a bank of resources for research on the fundamentals and history of puppetry; explored different styles and techniques; and saw performances from various puppetry companies. Throughout his Development Fund activity, Samuel trained with Natasha Holmes (Tell Tale Hearts Children's Touring Theatre Company), Kathleen Yore (Odd Doll) and Sophie Powell (PuppetBox).
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​​March 2023 - January 2026 - a volunteer Critical Friend at Lincoln Arts Centre
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March 2025 - present - SO Festival Supported Artist
As a Supported Artist, Samuel hopes to build on his current skills as a puppeteer and performer in outdoor performance, learn about different companies and practitioners, creating his own outdoor work. Samuel is exploring different styles of puppetry, currently marionette work.​
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Where did it all begin?
Samuel has been involved in the performing arts, taking weekly Ballet and Modern Jazz lessons at a local dance school in Grimsby, Estelle Jayne Theatre Dance School, from 7 years old until he was 18. Through these years, Samuel took a GCSE Drama qualification and gained a Distinction* Distinction in BTEC Performing Arts. Samuel studied at the University of Lincoln 2017-2020 and graduated with a 1st Class Honors. Notable modules throughout the degree include: Avant-Garde Performance and Popular Performance. In his degree studies, and during COVID-19 lockdowns, Samuel became interested in the study of 'audiences' and his dissertation explored National Theatre Live and similar streaming services; the role of audiences and the experience of theatre-going.
