Karlene recently completed a triumphant year working on Disney’s The Lion King after having previously worked with the European company last year.
Having had an extremely successful career in both London’s West End and the UK’s touring circuit in productions such as: The Lion King, Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Arena tour), The Harder they Come, Sister Act, Ghost the Musical, Blues Brothers to name a few and having had the honour to have performed at the Olivier Awards and for Her Majesty the Queen at her Golden Jubilee event, she is well known for being one of the Leading Musical Theatre experts from Leeds and an avid changemaker in creative spaces for social justice.
Karlene has worked for many years as the Head of Performing Arts in London at one of Lord Harris’s leading Harris Academies. Her mandate has been to diversify the curriculum and incorporate Set Texts that allow each student to see a reflection of their culture whilst providing an outer London Secondary Academy with a Drama School influenced style of training.
Assistant Directing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at The Leeds Playhouse was an honour for Karlene in her hometown, and she is currently completing her Masters at Leeds Beckett University in Race, Education and Decolonial Thought.
Karlene is thrilled to be a part of this Joyous event and further contributing towards the discussion of saving dormant church spaces and bringing them back to life.
