About Us
We are a nonprofit performing arts group based in St. Neots, which is run by a team of dedicated enthusiastic volunteers and professionally trained tutors.
Our Creative Team
Rowan Marshall
Director & Acting Coach
Having gained his first professional theatre job straight out of college at 18, Rowan has spent most of the last fifteen years as a theatremaker and teacher of the arts. A writer, director, and musical director by trade, his work has been enjoyed by tens of thousands of people, and in April 2017, Rowan directed his 100th theatrical production. With an endless passion for theatre and the arts, Rowan spends most of his time writing new pieces, be they plays, prose, poetry, musicals, instrumentals, media compositions, or pantomimes. Most recently Rowan has been exploring video game development as a medium for interactive storytelling.
As a teacher of acting, singing, and musical theatre he has worked at various establishments including professional theatre schools, youth theatre schools, primary and secondary schools, special educational needs schools, and adult theatre schools. He has taught LAMDA qualifications, alongside BTEC Drama and Theatre (as a guest lecturer and visiting artist). He has also worked with many young people in audition preparation for theatre school, ensuring their success within their training and their chosen profession.
Ian Tipping
Senior Group Musical Director
Ian has been a professional bass player and composer for many years. He has toured all over the world including residencies at the Disney Parks in North America and performing at the casino in Monte Carlo. He has worked in theatre orchestras aboard high-end cruise ships, alongside such performers as Bradley Walsh, Bobby Davro and The Osmonds, amongst many others. He has composed music for various classical ensembles including the Milton Keynes City Orchestra and the Alani String Quartet. He currently spends most weekend evenings playing with his indie-rock covers band ‘The Modern Fix‘ and can often be found playing bass in the pits of local theatres.
Emily Wainwright-Meekins
Pupil Manager & Junior Group Musical Director
Emily has been in the performing arts industry for more than two decades and graduated from Anglia Ruskin University with a BA Hons in Music in 2016. She became musical director of the Riverside Juniors in 2014 and was additionally given the title of Pupil Manager in 2022. Outside of the Theatre Company, Emily teaches private singing and piano lessons and leads St. Neots Community Choir.
Ellen Tipping
Choreographer
Ellen studied at Bodywork Company Cambridge, graduating in 2003 with a diploma in professional dance. Since then she has been travelling around Europe performing as a dancer with various production companies in Estonia, Stockholm and Barcelona to name a few. Ellen decided to move into teaching dance and Pilates to share her passion for dance with enthusiastic students. She has choreographed several major productions and her work has been performed in the O2 and the Royal Albert Hall.
Our Executive Committee
Terri Lalonde
Chair
Terri joined Riverside committee in support of her daughter who is in the Seniors. Terri has been involved in drama and amateur dramatics since her teens at school, later going on to be in a number of shows with the St Neots Players and St Neots Vamps, as well as holding a variety of posts on their committees. Now the Operations Director for a local recruitment business, Terri is hoping her skills and expertise will help Riverside to grow, and encourage new members to join this amazing group.
Jacqui Huckle
Treasurer
I have been involved with Riverside for several years as a parent as my youngest daughter is a long-term member of the company. I work as Church Administrator in Cambourne where I live with my husband and 3 children. As the Treasurer for Riverside, my role includes paying invoices, collecting subs and ensuring the financial records and reports are kept accurately.
Emma Went
Child Protection Officer
Two of my sons began at Riverside Theatre Company in the Juniors and are now Seniors. They have got so much out of their time at Riverside and I have loved seeing them develop in confidence when performing. I have chaperoned several shows and am always impressed by the professionalism shown by the children. I have taken on the role of Child Protection Officer to ensure that children can continue to enjoy their Riverside experience in a fun, safe environment.