Sarah Longfield - Artistic Director & CEO

Sarah is the Artistic Director and CEO at Toonspeak and has been involved with Toonspeak since the beginning of the new millennium, 2001. Sarah develops and runs exciting theatre and drama projects, leads the team, reaches out to make new partnerships, creates new ideas and improves imaginations. She is thrilled to work at Toonspeak and provide an opportunity for young people to reach their creative potential and develop their great ideas. A few little tidbits about Sarah: She grew up in Slough, England where she was involved in the arts during school and carried that love of the arts on to drama at university and into her career. About 12 years ago Sarah realized that the coolest place to be was Glasgow, so she packed up all her belongings and headed north. She is proud of her two adorable little boys, her world-class pyrotechnist husband (that’s right, he coordinates fireworks shows for a living!), and of coming in 2nd in the British Bead Awards (for seedbead jewellery).

Heather Armstrong - Creative Director

Heather is Toonspeak’s Creative Director and has been involved with Toonspeak since she started volunteering with the company in 2005. Heather sorts through millions of ideas and helps to maintain the best quality projects and productions at Toonspeak. She is especially proud of the production Teenage Sexual Health: The Musical and her encouragement for young people to write brilliant songs about sexually transmitted infections. Heather believes that Toonspeak is important because the arts changes lives - and she would know as she’s been involved in the arts since she was seven, when she wrote and directed her very first play. An amazing fact about Heather is that she was born in Scotland and raised in the wilds of Moodiesburn, right next to a sausage skin factory.

Marissa McTeague - Operations Manager

Marissa is the Operations Manager at Toonspeak has been involved with Toonspeak since 2006 when she began to volunteer with the company. Since then, she has experience of almost every type of position at Toonspeak: a workshop assistant, an admin assistant, an administrator, and finally the Operations Manager in 2010! As Operations Manager, Marissa makes sure things happen when they are supposed to happen and looks after company finance, fundraising and project coordination. She loves being a part of Toonspeak because it gives young people the platform to be creative, use their imaginations, and create their own art. A couple of little known facts about Marissa: She was raised in Glasgow, enjoyed acting as a teenager with Scottish Youth Theatre, and has been an avid lover of musicals since the age of three! Marissa is proud of her MA Theatre Studies from Glasgow University, passing her driving test first time in 2011, helping to write an original musical during Teenage Sexual Health: The Musical! and of her gorgeous nieces and nephews.

Emily Bennett - Development Officer

Emily has been Toonspeak’s Development Officer since 2007. She helps to raise money so that Toonspeak can run amazing projects and she also helps to promote Toonspeak activities. Emily feels that Toonspeak gives young people in North Glasgow a place where they can be themselves and be inspired to do amazing things in life. A bit of insider knowledge about Emily: She was born in Germany but is at heart an Ayrshire girl! Emily studied Social Anthropology at Edinburgh University and has a lovely little boy, Alexander who’s 2 ½. Emily has been involved in the arts for about 10 years, and has also worked at the Palace Theatre in Kilmarnock.

Lydia Duncan - Marketing & Partnership Intern 

Lydia is the Marketing and Partnership Intern at Toonspeak and is thrilled to work for an organization that offers young people the opportunity to be in charge of their creativity. At Toonspeak she’s raising the company’s online presence as well as raising awareness of Toonspeak throughout Glasgow. A few interesting details about Lydia: She grew up in Sherwood Park in Canada, but also spent a few childhood years living in Boston in America and Caracas in Venezuela. She’s proud of achieving a Degree in Sociology and a Diploma in Public Relations – it was a long time to be studying! She’s also proud of her travels around Europe and of eventually settling down in glorious Glasgow. Lydia’s been involved with the arts since junior high when she was in both school and community productions.

Jodie Wilkinson - Administrative Assistant

Jodie is the temporary admin assistant at Toonspeak, and we’re delighted to have her. Jodie is a busy gal as she’s also a support worker, drama artist and a facilitator. Her work at Toonspeak is helping everyone have the right to have positive choices offered to them, the chance to develop and to be challenged in a safe and positive environment. Interestingly, Jodie grew up in Tamworth, West Midlands but came up to Glasgow to do a degree in Contemporary Theatre Practice at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Jodie has been involved in the arts since she was 13.

Steve Brown - Chair

(Steve's fascinating bio is also coming soon!)

Jain has been involved with Toonspeak for nine years and has been involved with the arts since conception! In addition to being on our fantastic Board, Jain is also Project Manager at Depot Arts. At Toonspeak, Jain helps to provide a positive option for young people to do something different, especially those who are not supported to explore their creativity in daily life. Some delightful facts about Jain: She grew up all over Glasgow, she’s been car free for a year, and delivered a 10 minute speech in full Spanish to delegates of a Colombian Conference on the power of the arts in Northern Glasgow.

Katie has been involved with Toonspeak for eight years. Through her support, Toonspeak has maintained its ability to build confidence in young people and to help empower young people.  Since birth (in the hustle and bustle of North Glasgow), Katie has been involved in the arts and continues to engage in the arts world. She performed Perceptions at the Exchange, where she received a standing ovation and recently, she passed validation to become a show manager at Walkabout.

Pat is a board member at Toonspeak and Lifetime Honourary President as he’s been involved with Toonspeak since 1989 when Toonspeak was with YMCA Glasgow (now YPeople). Pat got involved with Toonspeak in the glorious decade that is the 80s, because he recognized that it gives opportunities to people who may never have discovered that they can contribute so much if given the chance. Pat has been engaged with the arts since the early 70s and even his twin brother is an artist! Pat grew up partly in England and partly in Scotland but has made is home in wonderful Scotland. He is currently retired from being a further education lecturer, but after he retired, Pat took another degree!

Laura has been a member since 2008. Through her exciting involvement with Toonspeak, she has gotten to where she is today with confidence and has met some awesome people along the way.  This fabulous Possilpark girl has been engaged in the arts for five years during which time she even directed her own show!

Megan McGarngle - Adult Director

Megan has been engaged with Toonspeak for eight years and participating in the arts for 10 years. She’s has found that Toonspeak truly gives a voice to young people through a creative outlet. In fact, she’s taken her own voice and performed at Exchange and National Festival of Youth Theatre. Currently, Megan is a fantastic student in a BA (Hons) Drama and Theatre Arts course.

Courtnay has been a member of Toonspeak for six years. Courtnay is a busy Springburn gal studying and working in between her performances and activity at Toonspeak. Through her involvement in Toonspeak, she’s gained loads of confidence and loves that Toonspeak provides an opportunity for young people to meet other amazing young people from different areas.  

David has been involved with Toonspeak and the arts for four fantastic years. By participating with Toonspeak, David has helped provide young people with a fun reason to get out of the house and meeting new people. His dedication to the community and leadership skills helped  him to achieve the highest award in Boys Brigade, a Queen’s Badge.

Carole Williams -  Adult Director

(The bio for this lovely lady is coming soon)

Daniel Correia - Young Adult Director

(This happy bunny's bio will hop along soon)

Matthew Docherty - Young Adult Director

(Matthew's fantastic bio is almost here)