Around 6 years ago, Andrew very kindly took me on as an Freelance lighting designer and I worked with him on a number of different shows at YATI.
Thanks to his belief in me I am now working alongside some of the worlds largest brands, designing shows across the world.
The work that YATI does for young people, in my opinion, is some of the most important work any institution in London (or the UK) does. Being exposed at a young age to theatre, art and culture is the bed rock of my abilities and interest in the work I do and Andrew played a massive part in giving me the confidence to go on and be successful.
When I heard about his passing I can honestly say my heart sank to the bottom of my chest, he was a great man I’m truly sorry to hear he is no longer with us.
I wish the entire team at YATI the very best of luck for the future!
– In Memoriam –
Andrew was “a giant of a man, with a giant heart to match”.
Andrew became the Artistic Director of Young Actors Theatre Islington (YATI) in 2004. In that time roughly 6,000 local young people have counted themselves as members and thousands more have attended short-term courses at the drama school under Andrew, many of whom credit him directly for transforming their self-confidence.
Andrew always saw YATI’s raison d’etre as creating a future for children of the surrounding neighbourhood. Such is the strength of community that Andrew built at YATI that many staff are former ‘members’ supporting the next generation of Islington’s children to have a better and brighter future.
Through its successful agency and excellence in teaching under Andrew’s guidance, YATI has also played an important role in the development of industry professionals such as Academy award winner Daniel Kaluuya (Judas and the Black Messiah), Asa Butterfield (Sex Education), Franz Drameh (Legends of Tomorrow) Ella Purnell (Army of the Dead), Obioma Ugoala (Frozen the musical).
Andrew’s guestbook…
15 entries.
Andrew was such an important person in my life. I loved the Acting Foundation course at YATI. Andrew was great fun, smiley and made me laugh. He made everything fun. He was so supportive and gave me confidence. When I think of him, I always see him smiling.
We were so shocked to hear the devastating news about Andrew.
We will always remember how fun his classes were and how kind he was. My sister and I always felt safe in Andrew's lessons.
Rest in eternal peace Andrew x
15 entries.
Andrew was such an important person in my life. I loved the Acting Foundation course at YATI. Andrew was great fun, smiley and made me laugh. He made everything fun. He was so supportive and gave me confidence. When I think of him, I always see him smiling.
We were so shocked to hear the devastating news about Andrew.
We will always remember how fun his classes were and how kind he was. My sister and I always felt safe in Andrew's lessons.
Rest in eternal peace Andrew x
Video Guestbook
