Who We Are
Artistic Director
Suzanne Lofthus
Artistic DirectorLike many other artists, Suzanne discovered theatre at a very early age and then was introduced to youth theatre as a teenager where she soon learnt the benefits that theatre brings. Over the years, Suzanne has had many adventures after leaving her job as a Manager in an oil company including performing outdoors in a banana plantation in Honduras to directing plays in prisons overseas.
She works in the company as a Director, Producer and has written a number of plays and books for musicals. She set Cutting Edge Theatre up in 1995 to “make a difference” and loves seeing how theatre can affect and change lives for the better.
Associate Artists
Janice Barbour
ArtistJan has always had an interest in drama, has been involved with amateur productions and joined INSPIRE drama group at the Adam Smith College, Dunfermline on Monday 7th January 2019.
During lockdown Jan decided to write the story of her life, and during the drama Zoom calls this came up in conversation. Suzanne was particularly interested and asked for Jan to forward it to her. This has now developed from a story of Jan’s life into a script called “Phased Out”, which will hopefully become a fully fledged stage play.
Abigail Brydon
ArtistTrained at Fife College on the Level 5 Drama course and is one of the students at Cutting Edge Theatre’s INSPIRE programme. She initiated the role of Beth in “Downs with Love” in 2016 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and went on to play her in the Scottish 2018 tour.
Abi has since performed in “Downs with Love” at a number of events including the World Congress of Down Syndrome 2018 in Glasgow, and a national tour of the production in Autumn of 2022. Abi has also been part of the “Let Me Be” Course exploring Shakespeare with Graeae and 1623 theatre companies and has just completed being mentored by them to be a facilitator of this course. Abi will shortly be heard on an NHS Advert along with Daniel from our Young Company who both recorded voiceovers.
Katie Milne
Access / Education Co-ordinatorKatie trained in Acting for Stage and Screen BA (hons) at Queen Margaret and Napier University in Edinburgh and is an actress, part time lecturer at Fife College, freelancer within the creative industries, youth theatre facilitator and co-creator of children’s theatre company Pipe Up Productions.
Katie has worked as an INSPIRE Drama tutor for Cutting Edge Theatre since 2012 and loves facilitating weekly drama classes. She has a real passion for growing and developing Inspire.
Katie is also one of the Actors in the production “Downs with Love”.
Nicholas Alban
Head of Cutting Edge Screen- Nick is an Actor & Facilitator from Edinburgh. Returning to Scotland after training on the BA (Hons) Acting course at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama in London, he now divides his time between working as a performer on stage and screen, and running Drama classes and workshops for all ages.
Nick has worked with various drama groups, youth theatres, schools and day services. His workshops are always practical, with a focus on acting and performance technique, devised theatre and building everyone’s creative confidence in the process.
Nick is Associate Artist working with Lisa on the Young Company, Intermediate and Adult groups. Nick also heads up Cutting Edge Screen
Lisa McDonald
Access / Education Co-ordinatorLisa is a Director, Producer and Facilitator based in Edinburgh. She trained in Drama and Performance at Queen Margaret University. After graduating she is now working as a freelancer within the creative industries. Lisa is Co- Artistic Director of Simply Surreal and facilitates a wide range of workshops for all ages including puppetry and movement.
>Lisa loves collaborating with other creatives. In 2023, she produced and directed a theatre tour. Lisa is Associate Artist working with Nick on the Young Company, Intermediate and Adult groups.
Fiona Linton
ArtistFiona has worked with Cutting Edge since 2021, starting as a placement at college and now as one of our Associate Artists.
Fiona graduated from Performing Arts Studio Scotland with a first class degree in BA Dance and Drama.
Since graduating Fiona has continued working as a freelancer with Cutting Edge and various other companies such as Pilrig Park School and The Royal Lyceum Theatre.
Fiona now heads up our Children’s Group and is Co-leader of the Youth Theatre.
Creative Assistants
Ellie HIggins
Creative AssistantEllie is an experimental theatre maker from Fife, who graduated with a Master’s in Contemporary Performance from Manchester School of Theatre. Ellie enjoys creating immersive performances which are playful and absurd. She is absolutely thrilled to be working with Cutting Edge!
Becca Lamont
Creative Assistant and NHS tutorBecca is a community theatre practitioner and HCPC registered Dramatherapist who is an advocate for theatre’s role in empowerment, communication and connection. She studied at Queen Margaret University and works in community theatre companies in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Amy Adamson
Creative AssistantAmy is a freelancer within the creative industries and Facilitator based in Fife. Since graduating with a BA (Hons) in Acting for Stage and Screen at Queen Margaret and Napier University in 2019 Amy now spends her time Co-ordinating Studio 38 Youth Theatre and Facilitating drama workshops for 4-18year olds. Her workshops are a place where people are free to explore and be themselves. She prides herself on being a kind, compassionate person who’s always free for a giggle or listening ear.
Jack Dickson
Creative AssistantJack is a performer and Theatre maker from Peebles in the Borders. He trained at PASS graduating with a BA in Dance and Drama and loves creating memorable and transformative theatre that leaves audiences with questions. Jack really enjoys physical theatre and Disney!
Board of Directors
Sarah Heney
ChairSarah has been a Board Trustee at Cutting Edge Theatre since 2017.
Previously she was employed as the Marketing Manager at The MGA Academy of Performing Arts in Edinburgh from 2012 to 2016.
Prior to that, in her role as Marketing Manager of the Edinburgh Playhouse from 1989 to 2012, Sarah led the marketing of the Edinburgh Playhouse through its transformation from rock venue to the hugely successful home to the West End musicals that it is today
Clara Bloomfield
Clara is an award winning neuro-divergent international Theatre Maker, Lecturer, and Creative Therapist, renowned for her diverse approach to Theatre-Making. With a distinctive focus on theatre of the lived experience and theatre for health, she is dedicated to creating impactful performance and theatrical experiences ‘for’, ‘with’, and ‘by’ young people. Her work revolves around amplifying the voices of youth while promoting their mental and emotional well-being. Clara holds the distinction of being a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and the Higher Educational Academy, as well as an Arts for Good Fellow for the Singapore International Foundation and an Associate for the Royal Society for Public Health.
Douglas Roberts
Douglas is a solicitor who specialises in corporate and sports law. He is actively involved in St Stephen’s Comely Bank Church in Edinburgh and enjoys keeping fit, watching football, rugby and pretty much any sport and travelling to new places
Douglas has been a supporter of Cutting Edge’s work for a number of years and been involved in a few of the projects in different capacities.
Alan Scobie
Alan spent 20 years in travel and tourism, and has also been involved in variety of other business activities.
Currently involved in business management, Alan supported the work of Cutting Edge Theatre prior to joining the board in 2001 and has been key in helping the company develop and expand over the years. Alan really only has one hobby – football.