Professional. Passionate. Playful. Principled. Prepared. This is how I’d sum up Gareth.

Throughout my career I’ve sat in over 30 professional rehearsal rooms, and over 50 more in education, and Gareth is absolutely the first person I think of when asked what the gold standard is for a director.

I’d recommend him to anyone looking for a director who values people as much as the work. Gareth is someone whose leadership extends far beyond the rehearsal room. His work is marked by a genuine commitment to collaboration, learning and mutual respect. He has a real gift for making absolutely everyone involved in a show feel part of something meaningful. He leads with kindness, clarity and purpose — the result is work that consistently achieves a high standard both on stage and off.

Production teams thrive under Gareth’s direction because he understands the vital role every department plays in the storytelling of a show. He communicates with precision and warmth, ensuring that everyone — whether in lighting, sound, stage management, costume or scenic design — feels valued and heard. His planning is meticulous but never rigid, allowing space for creativity and innovation from all members of the team, be they students or fellow professionals.

When working with students, Gareth is a natural mentor. He creates environments that achieve that trickiest of things: being simultaneously challenging and supportive. He encourages early career practitioners to take pride in — and ownership of — their work, and to think critically about the art they’re helping to make. Students who have worked under his direction speak fondly of the confidence and insight they gained from the experience. In every production, Gareth fosters a culture of professionalism, curiosity and shared purpose.

For me, 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.

I have worked with Gareth in a number of ways, over more than ten years, most closely as a fellow Board Member of the Independent Theatre Council. At ITC, I greatly valued his careful, caring and inclusive facilitation and leadership as Chair, which made sure everyone’s views were heard, important issues were prioritised, and informed decisions were made.

Both in this context, and through his work steering East Meets West, he gently but firmly promoted and enabled thoughtful discussion, championed access, and held a safe space for everyone to feel able to debate sometimes difficult and sensitive issues. He nurtured others to have the confidence to share their own experiences, whether in order to seek support from peers, or to offer their experience to help others.

As a skilled and conscientious Chair and facilitator, Gareth is brilliant at connecting people, asking thoughtful questions, and allowing space for meaningful conversations, all whilst keeping things on a strategic track. He always comes extremely well prepared, makes people feel welcome and valued, and helps them consider varying viewpoints. He is such a positive force — be that in a boardroom, in a gathering of peers, or in a theatre making space — and a total joy to work with.

As a Production Manager, I have consistently valued Gareth’s exceptional warmth and professionalism when interacting with cast, crew and creatives alike. His organisational and communication skills are impeccable, which helps to foster a safe, creative and productive, yet fun and playful working environment.

While working with him as a Sound and AV Designer, Gareth’s attention to detail and supportive approach are unparalleled. He allows me the creative freedom to explore materials and express myself, always knowing he is available to provide support and guidance where needed.

Throughout my career, it is rare to encounter an individual who not only enhances the performance of others with warmth and kindness, but also possesses the drive to create challenging, creative and inspiring work. I am always delighted when an opportunity arises to collaborate with him.

Phil Speck
Lighting Designer on The Stolen Year, Rocket Fuel, How To Disappear Completely And Never Be Found, The Bluebeard Trilogy, Oedipus, Animal Farm, Grimm Tales Retold, Orlando, The Good Sisters and The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant

Working with Gareth is always a pleasure.

I’ve worked on such a variety of projects with him, from student productions of set texts and new writing, to immersive dining experiences and theatrical installations. Each project with Gareth has been full of creativity and fun.

As a lighting designer, working with Gareth means creative freedom and trust. He always has a willingness to listen to ideas and to work collaboratively in developing design concepts. In preparation for productions, he is an excellent communicator and planner, and is adept at pulling all departments together to ensure the smooth development of the project.

From a university perspective, the output of productions has always provided unique and varied challenges for students to engage with, to adapt to and develop. And in a university setting, where adaptability and student experience are key, Gareth has always provided an inclusive, safe and highly professional experience that is considerate to all levels of students across all aspects of production and performance.

In all of the student performances where I’ve worked with Gareth, a notable stand-out quality is the sense of ‘company’ that he nurtures, ensuring that experience is meaningful and memorable.

Kaye Winwood
Gastronomartist on Rocket Fuel; Mentee

It was a joy to work with Gareth on Rocket Fuel. 

Throughout the process, he was imaginative, curious, and generous. It was no small task to deliver a seamless event with so many moving parts, but Gareth worked fluidly across all teams with remarkable clarity and calm. His ability to hold the creative vision while managing the practicalities ensured an experience that delighted audiences and was enjoyed by all participants. He brings an ease and openness that makes the journey from idea to delivery a genuine pleasure.

Gareth also delivered a strategic planning session with me at my venue, GULP, which I found invaluable. His thoughtful exercises and questions created space for both reflection and ambitious thinking, helping me to develop a clearer direction and vision for the future. I continue to use some of his exercises to shape my project planning. It was a genuinely useful day, and I would happily recommend Gareth to other artists seeking supportive, insightful guidance.

Satya Baskaran
Performer in Rocket Fuel, MoonFest and Orlando; Student at University of Birmingham

What can I say that would do Gareth justice? I’ve had the pleasure of working with him on several projects near the start of my career, and my own trajectory is in no small part down to him. His work ethic, values and world view have greatly shaped my personality, as well as my own acting and directing process.

He is a singularly focused director and a vibrant performer himself. His ability to maintain a sense of play in the rehearsal room, whilst still elegantly and powerfully steering the ship, is one that I have yet to see in anyone else.

Gareth has this wonderful ability to make you feel like you’re the most special person in the world. When you spend more than half a second with him, you know that you are in a space that is safe, productive, unbelievably creative and filled with nothing short of a whole lot of magic.

Hassan Hussain
LGBTQ+ Cultural Leadership Placement for The Dog With Two Dads; Mentee

I had the pleasure of working closely with Gareth during an LGBTQ+ Cultural Leadership placement that he helped to secure funding for through Birmingham City Council. The initiative aimed to nurture and support queer creatives in Birmingham, and is a perfect reflection of Gareth’s values.

I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Gareth work in many roles: as a director and dramaturg in the rehearsal room, as a mentor, and as a critical friend throughout my professional journey.

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.

If you’re thinking about working with Gareth, I implore that you do. I promise you’re in safe hands.

James Yarker
Artistic Director of Stan’s Cafe

I have enjoyed working with and watching Gareth’s work for many years. As a maker, he is thoughtful and sensitive, skilled and imaginative.

His selfless and insightful work bringing together members of the theatre community across the Midlands 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.

Charlotte Jones
Chief Executive of Independent Theatre Council  (ITC)

Gareth was a hugely effective and supportive Chair of ITC from 2022- 2024. He brought to the role great emotional intelligence, the ability to ask insightful and strategic questions and a strong understanding of the independent theatre sector.

As Vice-Chair (2020 – 2022) he helped see us through the challenging times of the pandemic, supporting our Chair and whole staff team. Gareth’s personal skills and integrity make him an excellent person to have in your corner when times are hard.

His gentle leadership, strength of character and patience are a great asset to the governance of a small organisation trying to punch above its weight and manage a range of demands. His dedication to the role, discretion and reliability rendered him very trustworthy. Alongside all of this he is an inspirational artist.

Ria Parry
Director of The North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford; Current Co-Chair of Independent Theatre Council  (ITC)

As Vice-Chair of the Independent Theatre Council when Gareth was ITC’s Chair, it was my privilege to watch him work with the organisation’s board and staff team, and to learn and benefit from his intelligence, care and commitment.

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 provides and sets up a supportive environment, encouraging those around him to always be open, generous and inquisitive.

Gareth is an excellent communicator and a skilled facilitator, and an asset to any board or creative project.

Mary Bonam
Performer in Rocket Fuel; Mentee; Student at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

After being taught by Gareth at drama school, it was a real honour to be directed by him professionally and also to collaborate with him in the research and development process for my own new work.

Gareth’s teaching style and expert knowledge made his module the highlight of my training year. It was the part I took most of forward into my professional life as an actor.

The toolkit he gave us and his principles are a daily staple in my practice. Exercises were always targeted to challenge us in just the right way, and everything was always so fun and different — you never knew what you would get to discover day after day.

His approach to direction is one that really speaks to actors. His respect and passion for the craft of acting really shows through in all his work. He leads with both kindness and specificity, whilst still allowing room for the actor to play and find their own journey in a piece.

Marcus Paragpuri
Performer in True Voyage Is Return Podcast and Rocket Fuel; Mentee; Student at University of Birmingham

Working with Gareth is always a joy. He is an incredibly generous director and a fantastic, knowledgeable mentor. He has an infectious playfulness in the rehearsal room and manages to make everyone feel immediately comfortable with trying something in new ways.

When working with him on Rocket Fuel, I particularly loved his collaborative practice and his ability to fold an actor’s ideas and research into a cohesive and compelling vision for a performance.

Keisha Thompson
Independent Artist & Producer; former Artistic Director & CEO of Contact Manchester; Current Co-Chair of Independent Theatre Council (ITC)

I can easily say that being on a board chaired by Gareth was a true privilege. The level of authentic care and due diligence was palpable and clearly impactful.

Taking the baton as a subsequent Chair has been a brilliant process which Gareth was instrumental in. His approach to the role has been an abundant template for me to build on. I would feel safe being a part of any project orchestrated by this wonderfully impassioned human!

Carys Jones
Student at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

I worked with Gareth in the first five weeks of my time at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on the Ensemble Module, and I am still using the tools and techniques I learned from him to this day as a professional actor.

Gareth’s facilitation of the entire module was seamless and expertly crafted. We were guided through new games and exercises, scenarios and scenes and were often challenged by the work — the most essential part.

I was encouraged to experiment, to trust myself and the other artists I shared the space with, and mostly: to find the fun!

I resonated deeply with Gareth’s practice and find that I go back to it in all stages of a new project: when auditioning, during rehearsals and finally in performance.

What I have learned with Gareth I continue to share with my collaborators, whether that’s fellow actors, my director or a cast of 60 children. His approach is perpetually malleable to new work and people.

I am grateful for all of my training, and to be working professionally in this industry is an enduring passion. Having been mentored by an artist like Gareth so early on in my career made a fundamental difference. He knew and understood what it was like to be an actor, flung out of drama school and into the industry as a fledgling.

He gave us sound, realistic advice about the expectations of our career paths, what working professionally would look like, how to take care of yourself and others in all of the challenges and triumphs the acting industry throws at us. From him I learned the practical tools I needed to work and thrive as an artist today.

I feel like I’ve really crafted my “niche” since leaving drama school, and that is largely in devising theatre and creating work from scratch — something I would’ve found terrifying before — but Gareth made it so possible and achievable.

John Kirby
Programmer at Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester

Gareth is the kind of person you go out of your way to be in the presence of.

I first met Gareth back in 2017 as he led the delivery of the East Meets West Symposium. My earliest memories of being in his presence are ones of being heard, valued and treated like a real person! The conversations we had grew my confidence in my field of work at a time when I was feeling very vulnerable. I’ll always be grateful for the time he gave to me to feel that way.

Over the following years I have got to know his work through festivals, shows, lab weeks and more, and have enjoyed discovering how multifaceted his talents are.

From any point of view, be it creative, empathic or human, any room with Gareth in it is a better room for him being there.

Will Jackson
Student at 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. What sets Gareth apart is his unwavering commitment to both audiences and artists. His approach is grounded in curiosity and care, and he creates spaces where everyone is empowered to do their best work.

As a director, Gareth strikes a rare balance: he honours the text, respects the audience, and crafts work that is bold, accessible, and full of heart. A show by Gareth is always a good night out, and to this day, I find myself drawing on his methods when I begin a rehearsal process. I feel incredibly lucky to have had him as a mentor and role model during formative stages of my own journey.

As a facilitator, Gareth is playful, respectful and deeply thoughtful. He always meets a group where they are and guides them towards meaningful, high-quality outcomes. Watching students grow under his facilitation is a joy, and his knack for making the most of any group, no matter what constraints, is genuinely impressive. He’s practical, clear-sighted, and driven by values that really matter. The industry would be a much richer, healthier place with more Gareth J. Nicholls in it.

Ellen O’Hara
Cultural Business Coach & Strategist; previous Chair of Little Earthquake

Gareth is a generous and visionary maker who always places the audience and participant experience at the heart of his work. Whether he’s crafting an intimate piece of theatre with Little Earthquake, designing an immersive dining experience, or curating a conference, his focus on meaningful engagement is something I’ve always deeply admired.

With a heartfelt commitment and strong track record in artist development and sector leadership,  Gareth’s ability to facilitate, convene and inspire is matched only by his talent for creating unforgettable cultural experiences.

Dougie Irvine
Artistic Director of Visible Fictions; Current Vice Chair of Independent Theatre Council (ITC)

Working with Gareth was a total pleasure. Placing people first, Gareth’s leadership style was 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 and I highly commend him and his work.

Laurence Saunders
Performer in The Tell-Tale Heart

Alison King
Chief Executive of Turtle Key Arts; previous Chair of Independent Theatre Council (ITC)

I met and worked with Gareth on the Independent Theatre Council board, where Gareth was my Vice-Chair. When I stepped down after my term ended, he became Chair of the board.

Gareth was a delight to work with, so considerate and caring. This is a voluntary role, and he never minded additional meetings or phone calls, and giving me and ITC the support we needed.

He was great at facilitating events and helped hugely in planning and co-running our board retreats and annual AGMs. He is a generous colleague, who has a good work ethic and principles. He is a good listener, patient and kind, always on the end of the phone with a sage word or two, with good knowledge and perspective of our industry and sector.

Alex Aram
Performer in The Dog With Two Dads

Working with Gareth was an absolute privilege. He is truly one of the best people I have ever worked with.

He created an incredibly safe and supportive space where everyone felt encouraged to take creative risks. The environment was not only highly productive and engaging but also filled with an infectious energy that made every day in rehearsals both exciting and inspiring.

His passion, kindness and professionalism make him a true delight to collaborate with. I can honestly say that I grew so much as an actor just by working with him. I learned so much, and I left the experience feeling more confident and inspired than ever.

Tom Bonam
Performer in True Voyage Is Return Podcast and Rocket Fuel; Mentee; Student at Birmingham Royal Conservatoire

Gareth is the kindest, most knowledgeable and down-to-earth director I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.

I met Gareth when he taught one of my first modules at drama school. What could have been a difficult and nerve-wracking experience was one of the fondest memories of my career to date. This is because Gareth creates a safe, supportive environment which encourages play, vulnerability and honesty.

Gareth has also directed me professionally, and I was excited every single day to get into the rehearsal room as I was once again encouraged to collaborate, devise and have fun.

I believe Gareth’s success comes from the simple fact that he truly cares. The learnings from my time with him have shaped me into the performer I am today and I am extremely grateful for our time together.

Helen Belbin
Performer in The Boy Who Became A Beetle

I was lucky enough to be cast in a unique project that had been put together with real care and respect for all involved.

Gareth ran an extremely happy and productive rehearsal room. I remember feeling very proud of the show and would consider myself friends with all members of the company as a result of sharing this special experience with them all. Gareth made us feel cared for and supported throughout the process and was extremely hands on (I have a particularly charming photo of him backstage at one of the venues, ironing some of the costumes).

I hugely admire Gareth both as a person and a director and would be absolutely thrilled to find myself on a production with him in the future.

Niyi Bammodu
Performer in The Dog With Two Dads

Working with Gareth was a truly special experience and I cherished every moment with him as my director. As actors, all we want is a safe space to take creative risks without fear or embarrassment. Gareth’s rehearsal room was the safest, most supportive environment I’ve ever been in.

He is kind, funny, and remarkably skilled at drawing out the best in people. We faced a demanding workload, but what could have been stressful was made joyful under Gareth’s leadership. I had complete and utter trust in Gareth’s direction and vision.

He approached everything with love and compassion, balancing a meticulously structured rehearsal schedule with the freedom for us to deeply explore the work.

Katie Webster
Administrator for Little Earthquake; Head of Mission Control for MoonFest; Performer in Grimm Tales Retold; Student at University of Birmingham

Working alongside Gareth over a number of years has been a privilege.

As an educator and director, his energetic approach was inspiring and engaging. He treated us like collaborators, not just students. His direction and teaching enabled me to develop a strong foundation in practical theatre making and to contextualise my work within the cultural sector. Learning from Gareth as a student was instrumental to the development of my career.

I was lucky enough to continue working with Gareth after graduation. What continues to strike me about Gareth is his unwavering kindness and commitment to people, which always results in the production of brilliant work.

When working with Gareth, I always feel confident that we will create something truly exciting.

Jake Benson
Performer in The Dog With Two Dads

Working with Gareth never fell short of wonderful! He builds an environment that feels professional, fun and, more importantly, safe to explore the roles and text creatively, passionately and joyfully.

Gareth’s approach to directing helped me discover new avenues of my craft that I didn’t know I had, and he has a fantastic skill in pushing your capabilities without you ever knowing it.

Iain Armstrong
Sound Designer and Composer on The Tell-Tale Heart, Rocket Fuel and MoonFest

Collaborating with Gareth was a huge pleasure. As a director he always had a strong vision for the work, and was able to communicate that clearly, but provided space for me to input my own creative ideas.

His skilful direction resulted in really beautiful and powerful storytelling. Rehearsals were conducted with warmth, generosity and focus, and were lots of fun!

Elliot Mitchell
Stage Manager on The Dog With Two Dads

It was a pleasure working with Gareth!  He demonstrated a clear understanding of his role and responsibilities, making collaboration smooth and enjoyable.

Gareth’s attention to detail and knowledge added valuable depth to the production. His strong work ethic and positive attitude contributed greatly to a supportive and productive atmosphere.

Dienka Hines
Executive Director of Travelling Light Theatre Company; Board Member of Independent Theatre Council (ITC)

I really enjoyed working with Gareth when he chaired the Independent Theatre Council board. Gareth wholeheartedly embodied the values of ITC, especially the sense of creating a community of support and knowledge among smaller performing arts companies.

I felt he chaired the board with lots of openness and heart, and always encouraged and valued contributions from the board members. He facilitated a lot of high-level conversations bringing together the experience and knowledge of the board to address industry issues, including ITC’s contribution to discussions on the current crisis in small-scale touring.

Lee Comley
Student at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire; Performer in Even The Ghost Is Lying

I worked with Gareth as an MA Acting student at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. He led a Storytelling module in our first year, the goals of which were to bring about a sense of play, freedom and teamwork amongst a group of students with a wide range of backgrounds and previous experiences. Gareth achieved this in spades.

As someone who hadn’t properly acted or ‘played’ in this way for about 10 years, the early stages of this were nerve-wracking, but Gareth has an ability to gently guide people into a creative mode of working which comes from a supportive and very safe place. Over the course of the work with Gareth I felt like I started to connect with that imaginative and playful part of myself which I’d pushed aside in my more ‘serious’ job that I’d been doing over the previous decade.

Since then I’ve then been able to work on this creative side with much more confidence as I’ve moved forward with my professional acting career. I’ll always be grateful for the work I did with Gareth, and I know he’s helped so many others in a similar way over the years. Aside from anything else, spending a few hours in his company is always great fun!