Hull Truck appoints new creative associates

Hull Truck Theatre has announced the appointment of three new members to its creative team. The theatre, currently celebrating its 40th Anniversary, has made the additions to drive the company forward in its new 580-seat home in the heart of Hull’s regenerated Ferensway area.

Natalie Abrahami is Hull Truck’s new Associate Artist. Natalie was co-Artistic Director of the Gate Theatre in London from 2007-12. She directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Yerma at Hull Truck in 2011, in co-productions with Headlong and The Gate respectively. Natalie will direct at least one new Hull Truck production every year.

Tom Wells is Hull Truck’s new Associate Playwright. Tom, who hails from Kilnsea, near Hull, was recently named the nation’s Most Promising Playwright by The Critics Circle and is shortlisted for the prestigious George Devine Award. His play The Kitchen Sink, set in East Yorkshire, was a success for The Bush Theatre in 2011 – and will be given a new production by Hull Truck in October this year.

Kate Denby is Hull Truck’s newly appointed Producer and will lead on the development of Hull Truck productions, tours and co-productions. Kate was previously the Executive Producer at The Gate Theatre. Most recently, she has taken The Gate’s production of The Kreutzer Sonata to the US.

Andrew Smaje, Chief Executive at Hull Truck Theatre, says, “I am delighted to welcome Kate, Tom and Natalie to the Hull Truck creative family. It’s particularly important that the Hull voice is heard at Hull Truck and Tom Wells, besides being one of the most exciting playwrights of his generation, is also Hull born and bred and writes with a voice which is unmistakably from here in Hull – and proud of it.”