Curve Community Ambassadors

Curve Community Ambassadors work with us to help us find new ways to connect with our local communities, ensuring our audiences reflect the diverse population of our city and county.

Using their local knowledge and expertise, our Community Ambassadors support us in identifying, building and sustaining new audiences from a range of backgrounds, as well as removing the barriers to attending and engaging in theatre.

Our current ambassadors – Barbara Grant-Bennett, Stacey McCarthy, Farhana Shaikh and Donna Elliott– have been part of our team since February 2021, where they helped us to distribute free tickets to stream our production of The Color Purple – at Home following sponsorship from PPL PRS and their Restore the Rhythm campaign. Since then, they have worked with us on a number of opportunities around our productions of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (pictured) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, plus off-stage activities such as our Diwali Family Day.

Barbara Grant-Bennett
Stacey McCarthy
Farhana Shaikh
Donna Elliott

Barbara Grant-Bennett

Barbara Grant-Bennett

Barbara Grant-Bennett has over three decades of experience of working with Leicester’s diverse communities, developing projects and programmes to benefit particularly those most vulnerable and in need.

Barbara has recently joined Curve’s Community Ambassador Team. Her intention is to reach out to and galvanise support from Leicester’s ethnically diverse communities, particularly first-time theatre goers.

Stacey McCarthy

Stacey McCarthy

Stacey McCarthy is a choreographer, movement director and practitioner. She trained at De Montfort University and graduated with a BA Hons in Dance in 2006.

During her dance studies she started exploring Dance in the Deaf Community and commenced on her 10 year journey to become a British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreter, graduating with a Post Graduate Diploma in Interpreting and Translation BSL/English.

As a Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI), Stacey provides access to the Arts, interpreting for West End productions, regional theatre, concerts and festivals.

Stacey is a qualified Youth Worker and previously was a Specialist Senior Youth Worker in Dance for Leicester City Council, where she created dance projects and opportunities for young people.

Stacey understands the positive impact of theatre and the importance of telling stories.

Stacey is also a Curve Resident Creative Alumni

Farhana Shaikh

Farhana Shaikh

Farhana lives in Leicester. She can be found on X talking about books and publishing.

Donna Elliott

Donna Elliott

Donna Elliott is a dedicated community advocate and the recipient of the High Sheriff Award 2024, recognised for her impactful work as chairperson of the New Parks Community Mission Food Bank and Support Services, where she manages projects to support diverse individuals.

As a partially deaf and registered disabled individual, Donna brings a unique perspective and empathy to her work, believing in the power of collaboration and community engagement to create positive change and uplift lives.