I’M GARETH J. NICHOLLS.
I'M A DIRECTORPRODUCERFACILITATORCURATORCOMPOSERWRITER
…working across theatre, audio, film, installations, exhibitions and lots more.
I’M GARETH J. NICHOLLS.
I'M A DIRECTORPRODUCERFACILITATORCURATORCOMPOSERWRITER
…working across theatre, audio, film, installations, exhibitions and lots more.
I create experiences which are joyous and moving — sometimes deliciously dark — but always seasoned with a big pinch of humour.
I also support others to make their own great art and share it with the world.
There's just one commandment: Thou Shalt Not Bore.
I create experiences which are joyous and moving — sometimes deliciously dark — but always seasoned with a big pinch of humour.
I also support others to make their own great art and share it with the world.
There's just one commandment: Thou Shalt Not Bore.
Gareth is a wonderful director and exceptional collaborator. By putting the audience experience first, his work never loses its sense of fun or wonder. It revels in theatricality and uses everything in the live theatre toolkit to tell stories in unique, warm and thoughtful ways.
Zoë Roberts
Co-Director of SpitLip, creators of Operation Mincemeat
Gareth is the first person I think of when asked what the gold standard is for a director. His work is marked by a genuine commitment to collaboration and mutual respect, and he leads with kindness, clarity and purpose. Working with Gareth doesn’t just make you better at what you do — it reminds you of why you wanted to do it in the first place.
Linda Muirhead
Theatre Arts Manager and Stage Management Tutor,
Dept. Drama & Theatre Arts, University of Birmingham
Gareth is one of the most exciting directors I’ve ever had the privilege to observe, and his influence on my own practice has been profound. He honours the text, respects the audience and crafts work that is bold, accessible and full of heart.
Will Jackson
Director, Writer & Performer
As a Director, Gareth has vision, empathy and generosity. He always creates beautiful and heartfelt theatre. His caring and compassionate nature is matched by his diligent research and eye for detail, and he has a great skill for using humour and popular culture to challenge our preconceptions and start important conversations.
Jo Carr
Performing Arts Programmer & Producer,
Midlands Arts Centre
Gareth’s rehearsal room has been my favourite place I’ve ever worked; his passion for theatre making matched by his extensive knowledge and experience. He is both a safe pair of hands and an innovator.Beth Organ
Performer in True Voyage Is Return Podcast and The Dog With Two Dads
Gareth is brilliant at connecting people, asking thoughtful questions and allowing space for meaningful conversations. He is such a positive force, and a total joy to work with — be that in a boardroom, in a gathering of peers, or in a theatre making space.Philippa Cross,
Executive Associate, Talking Birds
Former Board Member, Independent Theatre Council
Gareth is the kind of person you go out of your way to be in the presence of. Over the years I have got to know his work through festivals, shows, workshops and symposiums, and have enjoyed discovering how multifaceted his talents are. From any point of view, be it creative or human, a room with Gareth in it is a better room for him being there.John Kirby
Programmer, Attenborough Arts Centre
Gareth has this magical knack for cutting through creative doubt, untangling writer’s block and mapping out ambitious yet achievable goals — all with such unwavering care and compassion.Hassan Hussain
LGBTQ+ Cultural Leadership Placement for The Dog With Two Dads
As a maker, Gareth is thoughtful and sensitive, skilled and imaginative. His selfless and insightful work bringing together members of the theatre community via East Meets West and representing us all on the board of the Independent Theatre Council speaks to his generous nature. I’d encourage good people to work with Gareth. He’s exactly the kind of person you need on your side.
James Yarker
Artistic Director, Stan’s Cafe
Gareth responds to situations and conversations with huge emotional intelligence and sensitivity, but also with an invaluable interrogative eye. He is not afraid to speak his mind, to say what is needed, but he simultaneously creates a supportive environment, encouraging those around him to always be open, generous and inquisitive.Ria Parry
Director, The North Wall
Current Co-Chair, Independent Theatre Council
Gareth is a generous and visionary maker who always places the audience and participant experience at the heart of his work. With a heartfelt commitment and strong track record in artist development and sector leadership, his ability to facilitate, convene and inspire is matched only by his talent for creating unforgettable cultural experiences.Ellen O’Hara
Cultural Business Strategist
Previous Chair of Little Earthquake
Working with Gareth is a total pleasure. Placing people first, his leadership style is always filled with generosity and kindness. Clear in his thinking, Gareth leads a room in such a beautifully understated way yet with a quiet determination. It is abundantly clear to me that he is a huge asset to any organisation, team or collaborative process. I highly commend him and his work.Dougie Irvine
Artistic Director, Visible Fictions
Current Vice Chair, Independent Theatre Council
Gareth is a wonderful director and exceptional collaborator. By putting the audience experience first, his work never loses its sense of fun or wonder. It revels in theatricality and uses everything in the live theatre toolkit to tell stories in unique, warm and thoughtful ways.
Zoë Roberts
Co-Director of SpitLip, creators of Operation Mincemeat
Gareth is the first person I think of when asked what the gold standard is for a director. His work is marked by a genuine commitment to collaboration and mutual respect, and he leads with kindness, clarity and purpose. Working with Gareth doesn’t just make you better at what you do — it reminds you of why you wanted to do it in the first place.
Linda Muirhead
Theatre Arts Manager and Stage Management Tutor,
Dept. Drama & Theatre Arts, University of Birmingham
Gareth is one of the most exciting directors I’ve ever had the privilege to observe, and his influence on my own practice has been profound. He honours the text, respects the audience and crafts work that is bold, accessible and full of heart.Will Jackson
Director & Writer
As a Director, Gareth has vision, empathy and generosity. He always creates beautiful and heartfelt theatre. His caring and compassionate nature is matched by his diligent research and eye for detail, and he has a great skill for using humour and popular culture to challenge our preconceptions and start important conversations.
Jo Carr
Performing Arts Programmer & Producer,
Midlands Arts Centre
Gareth’s rehearsal room has been my favourite place I’ve ever worked; his passion for theatre making matched by his extensive knowledge and experience. He is both a safe pair of hands and an innovator.Beth Organ
Performer in True Voyage Is Return Podcast and The Dog With Two Dads
Gareth is brilliant at connecting people, asking thoughtful questions and allowing space for meaningful conversations. He is such a positive force, and a total joy to work with — be that in a boardroom, in a gathering of peers, or in a theatre making space.Philippa Cross,
Executive Associate, Talking Birds
Former Board Member, Independent Theatre Council
Gareth is the kind of person you go out of your way to be in the presence of. Over the years I have got to know his work through festivals, shows, workshops and symposiums, and have enjoyed discovering how multifaceted his talents are. From any point of view, be it creative or human, a room with Gareth in it is a better room for him being there.John Kirby
Programmer, Attenborough Arts Centre
Gareth has this magical knack for cutting through creative doubt, untangling writer’s block and mapping out ambitious yet achievable goals — all with such unwavering care and compassion.Hassan Hussain
LGBTQ+ Cultural Leadership Placement for The Dog With Two Dads
As a maker, Gareth is thoughtful and sensitive, skilled and imaginative. His selfless and insightful work bringing together members of the theatre community via East Meets West and representing us all on the board of the Independent Theatre Council speaks to his generous nature. I’d encourage good people to work with Gareth. He’s exactly the kind of person you need on your side.
James Yarker
Artistic Director, Stan’s Cafe
Gareth is a generous and visionary maker who always places the audience and participant experience at the heart of his work. With a heartfelt commitment and strong track record in artist development and sector leadership, his ability to facilitate, convene and inspire is matched only by his talent for creating unforgettable cultural experiences.Ellen O’Hara
Cultural Business Strategist
Previous Chair of Little Earthquake
Gareth responds to situations and conversations with huge emotional intelligence and sensitivity, but also with an invaluable interrogative eye. He is not afraid to speak his mind, to say what is needed, but he simultaneously creates a supportive environment, encouraging those around him to always be open, generous and inquisitive.Ria Parry
Director, The North Wall
Current Co-Chair, Independent Theatre Council
Working with Gareth is a total pleasure. Placing people first, his leadership style is always filled with generosity and kindness. Clear in his thinking, Gareth leads a room in such a beautifully understated way yet with a quiet determination. It is abundantly clear to me that he is a huge asset to any organisation, team or collaborative process. I highly commend him and his work.Dougie Irvine
Artistic Director, Visible Fictions
Current Vice Chair, Independent Theatre Council
Gareth is a wonderful director and exceptional collaborator. By putting the audience experience first, his work never loses its sense of fun or wonder. It revels in theatricality and uses everything in the live theatre toolkit to tell stories in unique, warm and thoughtful ways.Zoë Roberts
Co-Director of SpitLip, creators of Operation Mincemeat
Gareth is the first person I think of when asked what the gold standard is for a director. His work is marked by a genuine commitment to collaboration and mutual respect, and he leads with kindness, clarity and purpose. Working with Gareth doesn’t just make you better at what you do — it reminds you of why you wanted to do it in the first place.Linda Muirhead
Theatre Arts Manager and Stage Management Tutor,
Dept. Drama & Theatre Arts, University of Birmingham
Gareth is one of the most exciting directors I’ve ever had the privilege to observe, and his influence on my own practice has been profound. He honours the text, respects the audience and crafts work that is bold, accessible and full of heart.Will Jackson
Director & Writer
As a Director, Gareth has vision, empathy and generosity. He always creates beautiful and heartfelt theatre. His caring and compassionate nature is matched by his diligent research and eye for detail, and he has a great skill for using humour and popular culture to challenge our preconceptions and start important conversations.Jo Carr
Performing Arts Producer & Programmer,
Midlands Arts Centre
Gareth’s rehearsal room has been my favourite place I’ve ever worked; his passion for theatre making matched by his extensive knowledge and experience. He is both a safe pair of hands and an innovator.Beth Organ
Performer in True Voyage Is Return Podcast and The Dog With Two Dads
Gareth is brilliant at connecting people, asking thoughtful questions and allowing space for meaningful conversations. He is such a positive force, and a total joy to work with — be that in a boardroom, in a gathering of peers, or in a theatre making space.Philippa Cross
Executive Associate, Talking Birds
Former Board Member, Independent Theatre Council
Gareth is the kind of person you go out of your way to be in the presence of. Over the years I have got to know his work through festivals, shows, workshops and symposiums, and have enjoyed discovering how multifaceted his talents are. From any point of view, be it creative or human, a room with Gareth in it is a better room for him being there.John Kirby
Programmer, Attenborough Arts Centre
Gareth has this magical knack for cutting through creative doubt, untangling writer’s block and mapping out ambitious yet achievable goals — all with such unwavering care and compassion.Hassan Hussain
LGBTQ+ Cultural Leadership Placement for The Dog With Two Dads
As a maker, Gareth is thoughtful and sensitive, skilled and imaginative. His selfless and insightful work bringing together members of the theatre community via East Meets West and representing us all on the board of the Independent Theatre Council speaks to his generous nature. I’d encourage good people to work with Gareth. He’s exactly the kind of person you need on your side.James Yarker
Director, Stan’s Cafe
