Uplifted

Anna is a director and writer, working across film and theatre platforms. Born in Moscow in 2000, the year Vladimir Putin became a president, her focus has always been on political art, exploring the history of USSR, and nowadays Russian War crimes. In 2018, she moved to the UK to study Drama and Film studies at Cambridge School of Art. It was four years after the annex of Crimea. Her artistic career is heavily connected to the outside world, its horror and dark comedy. She is currently studying MFA Advanced Theatre Practice at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.   

Anna Ostrovskaia’s statement prior her project at LIFT: Victory for Ukraine. Freedom to Russia.

Amy is a theatre producer and director born and raised in Hong Kong, currently based in London. Graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Management at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and currently studying at MA Advanced Theatre Practice at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, she endeavours to present stories of political struggle, immigration, and explore the cultural identity of Hong Kong through multidisciplinary art forms. 

Jhonattan joined the UpLIFTers as part of the original cohort and is currently studying a Foundation Degree in Inclusive Performance at the Chickenshed Theatre. Jhonattan is a DJ and member of the Haringey Young Musicians and The Backdrop Band with which he has toured and performed at the Royal Albert Hall. His has also worked as a workshop assistant on the programme and his credits as part of the festival include the Children’s Choice Awards (2015) Live on the Highstreet (2016) OpBlock (2017) 

Reuben joined the UpLIFTers as part of the original cohort and is currently studying Economics, Politics, Sociology at A-Levels. His credits as part of the festival include Live on the Highstreet (2016) OpBlock (2017),  Nightwalks with Teenagers (2018), The Young People’s Rhyming Guide to Advocacy (2020). Reuben is currently working on music and spoken word and aspires to go into Politics. 

Qing is motivated and passionate about art marketing & audience development and producing theatre. She enjoys the interaction between real human beings and the storytelling, as well as building valuable relationships with artists and all the others that make shows. She is currently working and receiving structured mentoring at LIFT as a Marketing & Digital placement and is part of the Young Producers programme 2022. She is looking forward to an exciting future in the arts! 

Nyasha is qualified in UX Research and Design within Digital Product Management and is a lifelong learner. She has worked as part of the YouTube Partner Experience, Battersea Arts Centre, and Black Ballad. She is passionate about the experiences of audiences around access and inclusion. 

Khadija took part of the Alcohol, Slow Songs, and City Lights R&D with Inua Ellams in 2017. She has worked with Gain CTRL working with local residents at the Broadwater Farm Estate. Khadija is currently at studying at university and her interest’s span poetry, theatre and multi-disciplinary arts.