Vinnie is an experienced youth theatre facilitator and theatre practitioner, delivering workshops for 4-25 year olds nationally. They are renowned for exceptional rapport with young people and have a genuine and unrelenting passion for making work with them. They have a background in youth projects including, devised work, scripted work, puppetry, and as a writer crafting young people's ideas in to a script.

Vinnie previously taught for the Gloucestershire Youth Theatre Company, for seven years, delivering weekly youth theatre sessions with them in Cheltenham.
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They also previously facilitated for Found in the Forest Youth Theatre in the heart of the Forest of Dean. In 2015 they directed a production of Hood for the National Theatre Connections with a cast of young people who were then chosen to perform in London on The Dorfman stage.

Recent Youth Projects.

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Our Secret Forest.
Co-written and Co-directed by Vinnie Heaven and Jamie Lee.

Our Secret Forest was presented by Found in the Forest Youth Theatre in November 2017 and was supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. 
The performance was composed using oral history recordings from Forest of Dean residents who experienced living through World War 2. 
Using a cast of 7-18 year olds and a mixture of verbatim and dramatised material this project was presented with great success to an audience of local foresters and of those who had kindly given interviews. 
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 Life Without Dog.
Written by Vinnie Heaven
Performed by Found in The Forest
Venue: Sweet Venues, Brighton Fringe Festival.

In June 2017 Vinnie wrote and co-directed Life Without Dog. A dark comedy exploring the strength of the sibling bond and loss.

Using puppetry and live music, Life Without Dog shares the story of three siblings living without their parents and occasionally with Dog. How does a family who are already falling apart keep it together when it’s revealed that someone else has just left them? 

'A carefully worked enigma, with plenty of humour and some moments of genuine poignancy.' - *** Fringe Guru. 
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Hidden Voices.
In September 2017 Vinnie was the lead practitioner on Strike A Light and Gl4 Festival's Hidden Voices community project in Matson, Gloucester. ​They supported and directed a young community cast of 8-15 year olds across a months rehearsal and three promenade performances. 

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​Join us for this walkabout adventure. Hidden stories from Matson, unearthed and excavated, polished up and brought to light, telling tales of love and loss, betrayal, celebration, friendship, loneliness and above all community.


Testimonials 

The following are testimonials from students aged 11-18...
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'I just wanted to say that without their support and encouragement throughout the years I honestly don't think I'd be the person I am today, I've gained confidence and creativity from them. They are literally the best, so fun and smart and a serious role model.' - Rosie.

'As a teacher they put 100% in to rehearsals on every project. Being an actor they know exactly what it is like to be in your position on stage. It's a joy to have a drama teacher that's so wonderfully crazy, but also genuinely cares about everyone in a group and wants to push everyone to make the best piece of theatre they can!' - Laurie.

'They have helped improve my confidence so much, and have made me challenge myself to do things I didn't think I would do.' - Kelly.

​'You are so inspiring as a performer and writer, I love your work so much, I'm so lucky and over the moon that I get to work with you.' - Ben.

'One of the most passionate and creative people I know. Their enthusiasm made me consistently engaged in sessions. They allowed me to explore new areas of my ability in a safe and judgement free environment. They always put their students interests first so I never felt like I was learning something irrelevant.' - Cal.

'A wonderful human being and a fantastic writer.  They are great fun to work with and approach any task they are set with an infectious enthusiasm. I owe much of my growth as an actor and as a person to them and have loved every second that I've got to work with them' - Sean.