Claire is a Theatre, Dance and Circus Director, committed to achieving social justice. Claire founded Diverse City in 2005 and is the co-founder of Extraordinary Bodies, the UK’s leading professional integrated circus company. She is a co-creator of Mid Life, a show which also led to Diverse City’s first short film Mid Life: The Skin We Are In. In July 2022 Claire led almost 600 dancers to break the Guinness world record for the largest ever disco dance at Camp Bestival.

Billy is a former circus artist who spent 15 years performing as an aerialist and stilt walker across the UK and internationally. In 1999, he co-founded Cirque Bijou with Julian Bracey and has since directed and produced major large-scale shows for festivals, sporting events and city celebrations worldwide.

In 2012, after collaborating with Diverse City and Desperate Men on Battle for the Winds and Breathe, Billy and Claire Hodgson founded Extraordinary Bodies. The company has since become a leading force in inclusive circus, bringing disabled and non-disabled artists together to create bold work.

Billy also champions emerging circus talent through mentoring, professional development and shadowing opportunities.

Jamie Beddard is Joint Artistic Director of Diverse City and Lead Artist of Extraordinary Bodies. Recent artistic projects include two Extraordinary Bodies theatre productions: Delicate, (writer and co-director) and Waldo’s Circus of Magic and Terror (co-writer). A large-scale outdoor film and community project on Dartmoor for Green Spaces Dark Skies (co-director), and Extraordinary Bodies outdoor, inclusive circus performance Splash! (co-writer and co-director) As a performer Jamie has played the title role in the Elephant Man, the Leader in The Messiah at Bristol Old Vic, Mathias in The National Theatre’s production of The Threepenny Opera, and performed in ‘Weighting’, a large-scale outdoor circus show by Extraordinary Bodies. Other acting credits include; Quills, I.D, All the King’s Men, Wonderful You, Ubu, Alice in Wonderland, Flesh Fly, 15 Seconds, and Waiting for Godot. He has previously been Agent for Change at The New Wolsey Theatre, Diversity Officer at the Arts Council, and an Associate Director at Graeae Theatre Company. Jamie is on the board of Level Playing Field, Metal, and The New Wolsey Theatre, and is a patron of Face Front.

Steven Lake is a Peabody-nominated documentary filmmaker and founder of Brass Mill Media, a production company focused on socially resonant nonfiction storytelling. His credits include Phantom Parrot (Tribeca Films / Al Jazeera) and the acclaimed Roll Red Roll (Netflix, BBC Storyville), praised as “raw and pressing” by The New Yorker and Cinema Eye-nominated.

He co-created the documentary-theatre hybrid Human with Extraordinary Bodies and directed the short film Swim Club with Diverse City. Specialising in “security-conscious” filmmaking, Steven uses innovative methods to protect sensitive subjects. He also mentors emerging filmmakers, teaches workshops, and champions authentic, urgent human stories.

John Kelly is a pioneering Disabled artist whose music, performance work, and collaborations continue to push boundaries and inspire change. He has played countless gigs, performed at two major Paralympic events, and toured internationally with Extraordinary Bodies and Graeae Theatre Company.

Working with technologists and luthiers, he designed the Kellycaster — a bespoke guitar that defines his distinctive sound. His musical presence shone in Graeae’s acclaimed Reasons To Be Cheerful, performing as a lead vocalist celebrating the songs of Ian Dury.

His success led to a songwriting collaboration with The Blockheads for his album. John is now in demand for both digital and live events.

Ted is best known for his work with songwriter Beth Orton with whom he worked for over ten years. As well as touring worldwide they received Mercury Music nominations and a Brit Award. After parting ways, Ted formed the band ‘Clayhill’ with Ali Friend (Red Snapper) and the late Gavin Clark (Sunhouse), releasing four albums and sound tracks for the film director Shane Meadows. Since 2002 he has been releasing his own albums too much critical acclaim, the latest being 2021’s, 17 Postcards. Ted also composes for theatre, circus and film, production music and is part of Mrs H Sings.

Nandi is an actor, musician, mover and creator. Her recent lead roles include: Robin Hood The Legend Re-Written at Regents Park Open Air Theatre; the award winning Mimi’s Shebeen with Vocab Dance Company; Wise Children’s Wuthering Heights, at The National Theatre and New York; ANU productions Faultline and Torch; as well as many productions with Kneehigh Theatre Company.

Nandi works as Bhebhe&Davies a collaborative practice with Welsh artist Phoebe Davies. Their work spans live performance, sound and video, examining collaborative models of working across theatre and visual arts. They recently won the Aesthetica Short Film Festival award for Best Dance Film for their film ‘Viscera.’ Nandi’s work as a choreographer has also drawn praise: she was was nominated for Best Choreography in a Music Video at the UK MVA’s 2012.

Joseph is a dancer, choreographer, and leading figure in Kenya’s inclusive arts scene. He directs and choreographs the Pamoja Dance Group, an integrated company performing nationally and internationally. A pioneer of collaborative, inclusive performance in Kenya, Joseph creates work uniting artists of diverse abilities and backgrounds. Most recently he has worked with Extraordinary Bodies on UK–Kenya project Earth, Wheels, Air.

Beyond dance, he contributes to TV and radio for Deaf and Blind audiences and is a certified Sign Language interpreter. Joseph also leads community workshops at the Kenya Conservatoire of Music, prisons, schools, and children’s homes, championing inclusive performance as a tool for expression, connection, and social change.

David Ellington is an actor, BSL interpreter presenter, and director based in Bristol. He is profoundly Deaf and a fluent user of British Sign Language. David began his acting career in 1997 and has since built a diverse and acclaimed body of work. His theatre credits include Frozen (Fingersmiths), Bent / Diary of an Action Man (Graeae), Under Milk Wood (Oxfordshire Theatre Tour Company), and Extraordinary Wall of Silence (Ad Infinitum), earning him Best Actor for DEF at the Deaf Oscars.

David explores multiple artistic forms, including circus and street theatre, and has performed and interpreted for Extraordinary Bodies many times: in What Am I Worth?, Weighting and Human to name just a few.

“I am a performance poet and artist. I consider myself an activist in the promotion of inclusive theatre practices. I promote self-expression and creativity in everyone and by working inclusively I aim to show that the arts belong to us all. I strive to raise expectations of the capabilities of disabled people and those marginalised by society.” Dave—also known as The Shouting Mute—is an internationally recognised artist and a passionate advocate for AAC (Augmentative Alternative Communication). He writes and performs poetry, directs theatre productions, and mentors young people who use communication aids, helping others find their creative voice. In 2023, Dave founded The Shouting Mute CIC, a disabled-led company supporting Communication Aid Users in developing their artistic practice and sharing their stories

Karina Jones is an actor, aerialist, writer, audio-describer and voice coach based in Llandudno, Wales. She trained at Liverpool Hope University and The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Her theatre work includes collaborations with National Theatre Wales, Leeds Playhouse, Sheffield Theatres, Graeae, Paines Plough, Frantic Assembly, Circus Oz, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she made history as the first visually impaired actor to understudy and perform a sighted role.

Karina discovered her passion for circus after training for the 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremonies and has since developed an international aerial career, working with companies such as Extraordinary Bodies, Vertical Dance, and Rogue Play. She has performed with the British Paraorchestra, was awarded a Jerwood Arts Live Work Fund, and continues to explore accessible circus and integrated audio description.

Her recent work includes Where Do I Sit?, a UK–Zimbabwe collaboration with Tamba Africa Social Circus. Karina is also a Clore Fellow and an Audio Description Consultant for major UK companies.

I was introduced to the performing arts through Team Oasis’ inclusive dance and drama group. After completing a Level 1 dance qualification at Wirral Met College, I performed and worked as an assistant peer educator at Pilgrim Street Arts Centre in Birkenhead. I’ve also appeared as a TV extra for the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV — including 15 episodes of Coronation Street.

In 2019, I joined Extraordinary Bodies’ touring show Splash! as Flo – the lead character, and I also feature in its hybrid animation. I dance with DaDaFest and through these experiences have developed into a confident, ambitious performer. Since 2017, I’ve been a Dance Leader with DanceSyndrome and perform regularly with the DS Collective. In 2018 I was proud to take the lead role of ‘Woman’ in Lit aDrift at the Edinburgh Fringe.

I began my career as a dancer, training at the London Studio Centre before retraining as an aerialist and performing with companies such as Circus Bijou, English National Opera, and Incandescence Circus. My work took me around the world across theatre, festivals, advertising, corporate events and opera. My career evolved in unexpected ways.

After starting a family, I retrained as a therapeutic radiographer and now work at a specialist cancer hospital as part of a team delivering radiotherapy. My path has always been about adaptation, lifelong learning, and connection, first with audiences, and now with patients.

I started working with Extraordinary Bodies through the Creative Exploration programme for the show ‘What am I Worth?’ in October 2017. I stayed with Extraordinary Bodies Young Artists company until August 2018 to start drama school.

I studied BA acting at RADA and since graduating I have worked with the RSC, National Theatre and led a Channel 5 limited series.

I am an aerialist, physical performer, singer, and dancer, using humour, music, and circus to challenge assumptions about the effortless grace of aerial acrobatics. I trained at Circomedia and was a Roundhouse resident artist (2018–19) and Deda Associate Artist (2019–20).

I create multidisciplinary work, blending singing and speaking into trapeze, including my solo shows Ripe and Handful of Nothing, collaborating with Mish Weaver, Matilda Leyser, and Ben Duke. I am also co-artistic director of the inclusive circus company Head Over Wheels.

In addition to performing in my own work, I have performed with Extraordinary Bodies in Human and Waldo’s Circus of Magic and Terror as well as companies including Stumble Dance Circus, Cirque Bijou, Rosemary Lee Dance, Full Tilt Aerial Dance. I also played the principal role in Metta Theatre’s Little Mermaid.

I am a musician and dancer/aerialist. I drum, perform and compose for companies such as Extraordinary Bodies, Paraorchestra and Graeae Theatre company, performing at Paralympics Homecoming GB, National Theatre and Glastonbury Festival. In 2024-25 I led an international research and Development creative exchange with Extraordinary Bodies and Pamoja Dance in Kenya. I am the co-Artistic Director of award winning disabled led organisation Head Over Wheels, breaking the boundaries of circus.

Jessica Skelton first joined Extraordinary Bodies as a young artist in 2016. Jessica has a strong talent for dance and performance. Jess has over time taken up various professional dance opportunities including coaching mentoring choreographic training and aerial skills. She has grown as an artist and leader. Through her work with the company Jess has performed nationally at Camp-Bestival, Brighton Dome, Circomedia Bristol and the European Youth Theatre Festival. She was assistant director for our young company show ‘Till We Win’. Jess also works as a front of house usher at Lighthouse Poole Arts Centre.

Sophia is a producer for Diverse City’s Next Generation programme. Her first encounter with Diverse City was as stage manager for Delicate. She soon became involved with further projects within the company and is now helping to keep Next Generation’s and Extraordinary Bodies Young Artists’ workshops, residencies, trainings and shows running smoothly. Outside of Diverse City, Sophia is a versatile creative freelance who wears many hats including audio describer, director, and performer with a love for clown and physical theatre.  She is also the co-chair of the National Association of Streets Artists (NASA-UK).

Rosie has been performing as a professional circus artist for over a decade, and her aerial skills have taken her around the world. Highlights of her career include sharing the stage with Lady Gaga in India, jamming with Jarvis Cocker, pole-dancing at the Royal Opera House, and making a short film about childbirth and circus during the pandemic.

Rosie is delighted to be performing with Extraordinary Bodies and enjoys the ways in which circus allows us to push the boundaries of possibility. She is also the mother of two small humans and would like to thank her family for their continued support in helping her to pursue her dreams. Rosie performed in the second national tour of Human with Extraordinary Bodies.

Lydia Harper trained at the National Centre for Circus Arts, specialising in Double Cloud and Chinese Pole, then later continued her training at East15 Drama School in an MA in Theatre Directing.

She was a founding member of Silver Lining Circus, was an acrobat and artist coach for Cirque du Soleil, a performer for Cirque Bijou, is currently an associate artist for Tangled Feet, and is a freelance Circus / Movement consultant for companies including Acrobatic Arts, Metta Theatre and MSC Cruises. She was also an original cast member of Extraordinary Bodies and was circus director for national touring production Delicate with Extraordinary Bodies.

Lydia’s directing work includes FATcrobat, Measure Up, Birdwatching and To A Cumulus.

JoAnne Haines is a Neurodiverse artist, performer and facilitator who has been performing professionally since 2009. With experience in theatre, television, film and outdoor spectacle, she has toured internationally with Mind the Gap on productions such as ‘A Little Space’, ‘ZARA’ and ‘Mia’.

Her own work is multisensory, participatory and accessible with a focus on learning-disabled inclusion. JoAnne’s project ‘Dancing with Colours’ premiered at Mind the Gap in 2022, and ‘Colour Full’ was commissioned by BEYOND Festival and Unlimited, and adapted to a digital version for Southbank Centre’s Unlimited Festival.

JoAnne sees her audiences as people who take part in the work rather than simply watching. JoAnne performed in Extraordinary Bodies’ national touring show Waldo’s Circus of Magic and Terror.

Mirabelle Gremaud has a BA in Physical Theatre from the Accademia Teatro Dimitri (CH) and a postgraduate degree from the Laban Conservatory of Dance (UK).

She is an actress and dancer with a specific movement language that involves acrobatics and contortion. She is also a musician, harpist and singer. Her performer credits include Emma Rice’s productions of ‘Wise Children’, ‘Malory Towers’, ‘Bluebeard’, ‘Wuthering Heights’ and ‘North by North West’ and ‘Peter Pan’

(Birmingham Repertory Theatre). She continues to work in Switzerland with directors such as Omar Porras and Joelle Richard.

Mirabelle also writes and composes songs for theatre, as well as devising her own work and music under the label ‘Le Mirabellier’. Mirabelle performed in Extraordinary Bodies’ national touring show Waldo’s Circus of Magic and Terror.

The Pamoja Dance Group is a mixed and inclusive dance company: it includes dancers with and without disability. It is based in Nairobi, and most performances take place there. The group was founded in 2006 by Miriam Rother; a literature teacher and dance professional. The troupe uses dance to explore subjects ranging from oppression to war, to climate change. Through dance, the members are able to explore and share their experiences, as well as the experience of others. Pamoja Dance Group is currently partnering Extraordinary Bodies in an artistic exchange: Earth Wheels Air.

The Pamoja Dance Group is a mixed and inclusive dance company: it includes dancers with and without disability. It is based in Nairobi, and most performances take place there. The group was founded in 2006 by Miriam Rother; a literature teacher and dance professional. The troupe uses dance to explore subjects ranging from oppression to war, to climate change. Through dance, the members are able to explore and share their experiences, as well as the experience of others. Pamoja Dance Group is currently partnering Extraordinary Bodies in an artistic exchange: Earth Wheels Air.

The Pamoja Dance Group is a mixed and inclusive dance company: it includes dancers with and without disability. It is based in Nairobi, and most performances take place there. The group was founded in 2006 by Miriam Rother; a literature teacher and dance professional. The troupe uses dance to explore subjects ranging from oppression to war, to climate change. Through dance, the members are able to explore and share their experiences, as well as the experience of others. Pamoja Dance Group is currently partnering Extraordinary Bodies in an artistic exchange: Earth Wheels Air.