Eleanor Griffin
I came across Empath Theatre completely by chance. I was in my first year of CAPA College [but] having second thoughts about pursuing my dream as a career.
I saw the open casting call for ‘Under The Sun’ and saw it was by a local theatre company to me in Wakefield (Empath). I somehow got one of the supporting lead roles as ‘Caelen’.
I had never before been in a professional space with creatives as Empath gave me my first job as an actor. So, unsurprisingly I was extremely nervous starting rehearsals. I have never before been welcomed into such an accepting, supportive and warm environment from complete strangers.
I was new and the youngest in the room and they treated me as a complete equal. They all respected me as a creative without me needing to prove anything to them.
I will always be grateful to Empath Theatre and Steven Busfield for making me believe in myself again and giving me a theatre family when I didn’t know I needed one.
This sounds like a goodbye note however, my first time working with these lovely, talented creatives will definitely and hopefully continue.
Photo Credit: Emily Goldie
Tyler Pickles
Tyler Pickles is a Leeds-based actor, writer, and producer, and the Founder, CEO, and Artistic Director of Rebel Roots Theatre Company. He’s most well known for his portrayal of ‘Liam’ on Channel 4's ‘Dreamers’, which he has recently received an RTS Yorkshire award nomination for.
Tyler is a serving member on the board of Red Ladder Theatre Company, The Rogue Creator’s Fund, and is a founding member of the Yorkshire Fringe Committee, championing bold, grassroots work across the region.
His debut play, ‘Family First’, premiered last year to critical acclaim, earning a five-star review from the Yorkshire Evening Post, which described it as “a privilege to watch and the prime example of why local theatre should never die.”
Photo Credit: Ruth Crafter
Abigail Waite
I have been with Empath since the beginning. Many of us that started with Empath had to finish university during covid and we felt like we had been robbed of our final shows for finding agents. None of us knew where to go or how to continue in the industry. We all realised we wanted to do more within our community and continue performing.
Working with Steven previously on ‘Man in the Moon’ as ‘Gerri’ in 2019 and a couple of scratch nights we all agreed to start working together to create something special. That something special is Empath. I have worked alongside so many amazing creatives in my time at Empath and also produced some amazing pieces of works for our community, most recently ’Under the Sun’ being able to reprise my role as ‘Gerri’.
Everybody that has been through the doors at Empath has been fabulous to work with and so welcoming. We all have a space where we can share ideas and stories and have no judgement from peers. I can’t wait to see what comes next for us!
Myself as a creative at the moment I am looking into spending more time trying to write my own pieces of work. I have recently performed a 10 minute monologue I wrote titled ‘What I Couldn’t Say Out Loud’. This was based on my real life experiences with postpartum depression and anxiety. I feel this is a very important topic to be discussed in this way and I’m hoping to extend this in the coming months to help raise awareness around mental health issues in postpartum mothers.
Photo Credit: LW Studios Photography
Jack Moorby
Jack Moorby is an Actor and Voice Over Artist from West Yorkshire. He has worked with the National Theatre, Red Ladder, Audible, and is on the directors’ board for Empath Theatre in Wakefield, co-creating shows that explore Northern communities.
As well as working on audition panels for the Mechanics’ Theatre, he himself has been a Finalist for SLAMbition (Theatre Royal Stratford East) and MonologueSlamUK (Leeds Playhouse).
Other work includes: ‘The Asparagus Bunch’ (Audiobook/Audible), and touring shows such as ‘Family First’ (Rebel Roots) and ‘Breaking the Mould’ (Red Ladder/Empath Theatre).
Elvira Mannanova
Elvira Mannanova is a Wakefield-based actor, writer and creative whose journey into theatre began after seeing Empath Theatre’s production of The Man in the Moon. Inspired by the performance and the work of the company, she joined Empath and began exploring both acting and writing.
Her first-ever performance was Echoes, an original piece written and performed by Elvira herself. That first experience sparked a growing passion for theatre, storytelling and using performance to explore meaningful and often challenging subjects.
Elvira later became involved in Humanising Mental Health, a youth-led creative project developed by young people to explore mental health, its history and lived experiences through theatre. Elvira contributed both as a performer and writer, creating and developing a number of scripts and pieces as the project evolved.
During the first stage, she performed Interview with Elizabeth Fenton, before continuing into Stage Two, All In Your Head, which culminated in a live performance at the Mechanics Theatre. She has remained involved as the project developed into Reclaiming the Asylum, expanding its storytelling into a virtual museum exploring the history and experiences surrounding mental health institutions.
Her creative work has since expanded beyond Empath. In 2026, Elvira worked as a Producer with Yew Tree Youth Theatre on The Animals by Sean Buckley, produced as part of National Theatre Connections and presented at the Cluntergate Centre and CAST Doncaster. She continues to work with Yew Tree Theatre, including taking part in performances and other creative projects.
Elvira has also explored classical theatre, performing in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Pontefract Castle, where she took on the roles of Hermia, Peaceblossom and Wall.
Her work also extends into community and site-responsive performance. Through Black to Green / Roots & Renewal at the National Coal Mining Museum for England, Elvira worked as both a curator and performer, contributing to the creation of Heart of the Earth and Spirit of the Reed Beds and performing in The Forest Pact.
More recently, Elvira returned to perform with Empath Theatre in Under the Sun at WX Wakefield, continuing a creative relationship with the company that first inspired her to step into theatre.
Alongside scripted productions, Elvira continues to develop her own writing, monologues and spoken-word work, including Echoes and Loved You Through the Hurt.
Elvira is particularly passionate about theatre that gives people a voice and tells meaningful human stories. From writing and performing her own work to Shakespeare, producing, community-led projects and contemporary theatre, she continues to explore different forms of storytelling and develop her craft as both an actor and writer.
Photo Credit: LW Studios Photography
Isabelle Gosh
Isabelle Ghosh is a 23 year old actress from Yorkshire. Recently working with Empath Theatre as a member of the ensemble in Under the Sun. Graduating from LMA Liverpool in 2024 with a first class honours degree in Acting; she trained in both stage and screen.
Returning to Yorkshire she has worked with companies such as Leeds Playhouse, Frantic Assembly, Red Ladder, and Yorkshire Fringe. Notably in 2025 she was shorted listed for the National Youth Theatre Audition Choice Award and completed their Epic Stages course.
Now a full member of the National Youth Theatre, Isabelle uses her skills and experience to support Carriageworks Young Theatre Makers, as a support worker and assistant director.
Patrick Gregan
Patrick is a Leeds-based creative currently studying at the Leeds Conservatoire. He’s performed in everything from new writing to classical theatre, musicals to multi-cultural physical theatre. With Empath Theatre, he’s acted in The Stories of the Stones, played T.R. ‘Toddy’ Dawes in Breaking the Mould: The Story of Alice Gostick, and Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Other credits include The Zoo Story (2026), The Spanish Tragedy (2025), Blind Bird (2025), Why We Stay (2024), NEST (2023), Our Town (2023) and Breadshop (2022).
Katie Greensmith
Katie is a Wakefield based Actor who has been a part of Empath Theatre since its beginnings. She trained at Wakefield College completing her BA (Hons) in Performance Industries, graduating with First Class Honours.
Katie’s theatre experience outside of training started alongside her studies where she was a part of In on the Act, a performance group based at Theatre Royal Wakefield, where she performed in a variety of different productions, from children’s theatre (Our Teacher’s a Troll, The Velveteen Rabbit) to larger productions including Kes and The Crucible.
Katie has been involved with Empath Theatre on a number of different projects through the years. Such as community outreach projects, local historical productions, dinner/immersive theatre and most recently a sequel to a previous Empath Theatre play (Man in the Moon) in Wakefield’s WX-Wakefield Exchange under Luke Jerrams Helios, Under the Sun.
She is also a director on the board, contributing to the development of projects, funding and the company’s creative direction. Alongside working towards larger productions, she regularly collaborates with the company to create and develop new work.
Katie spent last year delivering drama workshops for children aged 5–9 at Junction Theatre in Goole. While she enjoys the collaborative and creative process of developing theatre, acting has always been her passion, and she is keen to explore new opportunities both on stage and on screen.
Drawn to all things creative, Katie is particularly interested in work with compelling stories, interesting characters and plenty of room to explore.
Photo Credit: LW Studios Photography
Katie Greensmith
Shelley studied English Literature & Theatre at the University of Sheffield from 2007 - 2010. After graduating, she worked various roles in the arts industry; previously working for the learning department at Northern Ballet, leading to a career in education. Shelley is a qualified secondary English teacher and has worked in both mainstream and alternative provision. She is currently a freelance drama facilitator, working regularly with venues and organisations across West Yorkshire.
Shelley has most recently joined West Ridings Theatre Company and performed as Ensemble in ‘Come From Away’ and Grandma Josephine / Ensemble in ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. Shelley has previously performed with Theatre Royal Wakefield’s young actors’ theatre company, In on the Act. Plays have included: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Accrington Pals’, ‘The Crucible’ and ‘The Red Shoes’.
Shelley recently performed as Sofia in Empath Theatre’s production of ‘Under the Sun’. She is very proud to have been part of such a poignant play and looks forward to further involvement with the company.
Photo Credit: LW Studios Photography
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