Our Team

Helen Barnett (She/Her), Senior Manager Creative Programmes/Creative Director 

Helen Barnett joined Trestle in March 2017. She trained originally in drama at Loughborough University and went on to gain an MA in Directing from East 15 Acting School with a module training abroad at GITIS in Moscow. Helen then went on to work as a freelance theatre facilitator and Director working with companies such as The Bush Theatre, The Tricycle Theatre, Polka Theatre and Watford Palace Theatre on various education and outreach projects alongside her role as Artistic Associate with Sphinx Theatre Company. She was also a resident associate artist at the Royal & Derngate Theatre in Northampton in 2014 and guest lecturer on the third year of the Acting Course at Northampton University for the last three years before joining Trestle.

Rhian Smith (She/Her), Brand and Marketing Lead

Rhian became Marketing and Development Manager for Trestle in December 2009. Initially studying under Trestle founding member Sally Cook at Melton Mowbray Performing Arts College before graduating with a BA (Hons) in Devised Theatre from Dartington College of Arts (2004). For a number of years, Rhian worked as a freelance theatre facilitator for various UK arts organisations and then as a producer for Lamfrag, a short film collective whose work was shown internationally at prestigious festivals. Before joining the team at Trestle she worked at both The Alban Arena and Harpenden Public Halls as the Marketing and Press Officer. Most recently Rhian received BFI funding to produce ‘New Atlantis’, a short film currently on the festival circuit.

Joseph Arm (He/Him), Lead Mask Maker

Joseph is the Mask Department Manager and has been with the company for over 10 years. Previously studying Fine Art at the University of Hertfordshire where his journey concluded in a series of portraits. Upon discovering the masks, he transitioned his portraiture skills to mask-making. He is now practised in designing and making masks for shows and other commissions working with practitioners such as Nina Conti and Small Nose Productions Ltd.

Karene Horner-Hughes (She/They), Creative Producer

Karene joined Trestle in May 2014 shortly after finishing her degree in Drama and English Literature at Portsmouth University. She runs Trestle School of Drama, Trestle Community groups and our M-Ask Wellbeing Drama projects. She is a trained Trestle mask and physical theatre specialist and has been working with youth groups and as a freelance drama practitioner for 14 years. As well as her work with young people and the local community Karene is an actress and singer and has appeared in Trestle Theatre’s tour of Yarico and as Boudicca in our Hertfordshire Hidden Heroines HLF Project.

Bob Wright (He/Him), Facilities and Creative Support Officer

Bob graduated from Middlesex University in 2010 with a degree in illustration.  He has been successfully running ‘Life Drawing St Albans’ at Trestle Arts Base since 2014 whilst working freelance artist and illustrator. As a familiar face around Trestle Bob is looking forward to continue working the many different communities that work and operate from Trestle.  He is excited to be on board and be part of the fantastic Trestle team! 

Elaine Johnson (She/Her), Creative/Finance

Elaine is our Gallery Programmer and Finance Assistant and has been with Trestle since 2009. She studied Applied Art at the University of Hertfordshire and also works as Arts Development Officer at Three Rivers District Council.

Hatty Hardy (She/Her), Creative Projects Assistant & Finance Assistant (Maternity Cover)

Hatty finished her Drama degree at the University of East Anglia in 2023 and joined Trestle shortly after. While studying she enjoyed trying a variety of new skills from singing and dancing to lighting design and set building, but ultimately writing, and creating new performances remains her favourite! Hatty is also a huge movie fan and loves trying to see every new film in the cinema.

Amina Pagliari (She/Her), Mask Maker

Born and raised in Bedford, Amina is a Loughborough University Fine Art graduate specialising in mixed media, set design, and installation. In her 2023 fine art degree show Amina specialised in vac forming moulds and casting plaster to create smooth plaster Paisleys. Amina's work has been exhibited in London and New York and is the 2023 recipient of The Edward Sharpe Prize and was shortlisted for The Alpine Foundation: Visual Arts Award 2024. Her artistic practice explores the interconnectivity of the past and present through 3D mixed media installation. 

Our Board

Samantha Lane (Trustee)
Samantha is the Artistic Director of Little Angel Theatre (since 2015), where she commissions and directs theatre for children, as well as overseeing a wealth of projects for schools, communities and an online programme of activity. She was formerly Director of Projects at the Almeida Theatre where she made theatre for, by and with young people aged 14-25, led a Facilitation PGCert in partnership with RCSSD, a thriving schools partnership programme, and an exciting participation programme for over 500 young people. She was also Education Manager at the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, where she created numerous Theatre-in-Education shows for primary and secondary schools, as well as directing community plays with casts of 60+ people. Samantha has also worked at The V&A Theatre Museum, as a secondary Drama Teacher and on various freelance theatre/education projects – including working in Singapore and Canada. She is also the author of Directing Young People in Theatre: A Guide to Staging Plays with Young Casts (Macmillan).

Andrew Chaloner (Trustee)
Andrew studied Theatre Studies at Lancaster University before building a 17-year career in finance with Morgan Stanley, Citi, and HSBC, where sustainability and governance have been central to his work. Although his professional path has been rooted in finance, he has always maintained a passion for the arts and a desire to contribute meaningfully to theatre. As a board member, he brings extensive experience in governance, stakeholder collaboration, and accountable decision-making, with a commitment to supporting Trestle and its community.

You can find out more about the current Communities 1st board here

Our Youth Board

Trestle's Youth Board are raising money to support Trestle Arts Base! Find out how you can support us here

Freddie Kent, he / him (17)
Freddie joined Trestle in September 2019 in the Evolve class and has continued his journey into the Advance class and volunteers with the younger classes. Freddie has a passion for film and theatre and is an amateur film maker. His first acting role was at 5 years old when he played Mary in the nativity. 

Marcelo Skut, he / him (14)
Marcelo joined Trestle School of Drama 6 years ago when he was 7 and now he is in the Evolve class. His favourite Trestle show he was in was The Myths of the Sea performance in the summer of 2023. Some of Marcelo’s favourite drama games include penguin, would you rather and torpedo. 

Elsie Padden, she / her (14)
Elsie attends the School of Drama Advance class, before which she took part in various projects at Trestle Arts Base. She has a strong passion for theatre both onstage and backstage. She also enjoys film-making as a hobby.

Archer Smith, he / him (13)
Archer joined Trestle School of Drama when he was 5 but has been connected to Trestle since birth because his mother (Rhian) works there. Archer has always been interested in theatre throughout his life. He has always loved watching performances at Trestle and loved Frankenstein On A Budget by Lamphouse Theatre Company. 

Zack Moody, he / him (16)
Zack joined Trestle School of Drama in the Evolve class and is now in the Advance class. He has been in many shows and his favourite performance was ‘Tuesday’. Zack has been involved in drama for a very, very long time and his first ever acting role was as an Italian pizza delivery person in the Nativity! 

Elif Cohen, she / her (24)
Elif has been helping out at Trestle Summer Schools for the last 3 years and jumped at the chance to join the Youth Board. Elif is a huge fan of acting and writing. Her first performance was playing Cinderella when she was five; it involved a lot of sweeping. Elif loves Mischief Theatre and follows their performances across the country.  

Allie Reed, she / her (13) 
Allie joined Trestle at the age of 7 as part of the Emerge group. Her favourite memory of performing was in year one when she played a star in her school’s nativity. 

Mila Hinton, she / her (15)
Mila joined Trestle 7 years ago when she was 9 years old. She loves drama and trying new things. Her favourite memory was doing a solo show when everyone else couldn’t perform. She also volunteers with the Begin Class. Mila’s favourite play she has seen was Much Ado at the Globe. 

Abi Clark, she / her (17)
Abi has been involved with Trestle since 2018. She has been in many performances, such as Animal Farm and Brainstorm, and has volunteered to help the younger classes.

Kai Yilmaz-Porter, he / him (16)
Kai is an avid theatre enjoyer and amateur playwright. His favourite playwright is Arthur Miller with his favourite play being “A View from the Bridge”. He has been part of the Trestle community since he was 8 and has been part of many productions. Fun Fact: He was Joseph in nativity when he was 3.