Speaker: Emma Harrington, Herts Inclusive Theatre (HiT)

Emma Harrington was our guest speaker for the evenings meeting.

HIT was established in 2000. It started off as a pilot project put together by Chickenshed and Hertsmere Borough Council.

In 2001, it established as a nonprofit organisation with an Artistic Director and a Board of Trustees.

In 2009, Caroline Stevens took over as Artistic Director having originally started as a volunteer. Emma Harrington, who had been a volunteer since 2005, took on the role of Assistant Director. In this year, Caroline and Emma started a children's theatre in Watford to compliment the existing group in Bushey.

Subsequently, in 2010 HIT's first group for over 18s was opened in Stanmore and in 2011 the organisation registered with the charity commission.

Since then the company has evolved and developed into what you see today, running a number of children's and youth theatre groups, groups for adults and holiday activities. The company also offer workshops for schools, councils and other organisations, bringing inclusivity to South West Hertfordshire. The aim is to one day have our own venue which will incorporate a theatre, along with a wellbeing centre offering complimentary therapies along with respite care.