who is Scratchworks?
We are a female-led theatre company based in the heart of Exeter. We work collaboratively to create thought-provoking, funny, and heartfelt shows to inspire and empower adults and children alike with our feminist ethos.
We tell stories that capture hearts. We care, we feel.
With playfulness, vulnerability and a dash of silliness, our shows explore social and political themes, inviting you to have a voice within it.
We believe theatre can and should happen anywhere. In village halls, schools, theatres big or small, woodlands or parks, in daylight or in the dark. We invite adventure seekers of all ages to come on the journey with us.
In 2023, we became a Community Interest Company. Over the past 10 years we have nurtured both our artistic and educational & community-engaged programmes, producing 8 productions and sharing our skills with schools, community groups, artist development programmes & theatre clubs.
Meet The Company
Laura Doble
Laura Doble is a performer, puppeteer, workshop facilitator + theatre producer and has worked as Co-Artistic Director of Scratchworks Theatre Company from the very beginning in 2013.
Outside of Scratchworks, Laura has also worked as a freelance performer and puppeteer on many other projects including ‘Penguinpig’ with Barmpot Theatre, ‘Egg and Spoon’ with Lingo Theatre, ‘Finding Santa’ and ‘The Slightly Annoying Elephant’ with Little Angel Theatre, ’Grow Up and Just Each Chocolate’ with The Shouting Mute, ‘Winter Woods’ with Rogue Theatre and ‘Partnering with the Earth’ with Inside Out Festival. Laura also puppeteered on the large scale Dragon event ‘The Hatchling’ with Trigger Theatre across Plymouth City Centre in 2021.
Laura also frequently works as a workshop facilitator with organisations including Exeter’s Northcott Theatre, The Barbican Theatre Plymouth, Barmpot Theatre and Richard Dale Theatre School.
Alice Higginson-Clarke
Alice has been Co-Artistic Director of Scratchworks Theatre Company since it began in 2013. Alice manages the Finances, but when she’s not bogged down in budgets, she loves to write scripts & choreograph movement sequences.
Based in Kent, Alice is also a workshop facilitator with Freshwater Theatre Company and has reached more than 23,000 primary school children with workshops in history, geography & dance.
Alice was a JMK Director’s Award Finalist in 2016.
She has previously worked as a Choreographer for BYMT on two projects, Shakespeare: The Whole Lot and Nicola Nickleby, with young people aged 11-21. Alice is proud to have choreographed for the prestigious Minack Theatre, with 3 shows (Oh What a Lovely War, Treasure Island & The Scarlet Pimpernel). The largest group choreography was for 50 cast members.
Siân Keen
Siân has been a Co Artistic Director of Scratchworks since its beginnings in 2013. She leads on company collaborations, diversity and access. When she’s not tapping away at emails, she’s creating harmonies, being a clown (in and out of rehearsals), and strives to explore truth & vulnerability in the work we make.
Whilst living in Exeter, she’s worked as a performer, vocalist, director + workshop facilitator, and has worked closely with companies such as Running Dog Theatre CIC, Jack Dean & Company, and Flossy & Boo.
She has previously performed in Jack Dean & Company’s '“Hero & Leander" at venues including The Southbank Centre, co-directed THEY with Theatre Royal Plymouth Young Company in 2018, and written Kick The Dirt Theatre’s debut production Bulls**t, which previewed at Theatre Royal Plymouth in December 2018.
She also created her first audio project ‘We don’t know to tell you, it’s clearly just weight related’ commissioned by BBC Creatives, which was released on BBC Sounds in 2020.
