Formed in October 2019, hidden route is a theatre company who are based in Dundee and work across Scotland. They explore the unexpected and collaborate with people to make incredible things happen through exciting, engaging and empowering participatory theatre experiences and performance.  

The company are passionate about working with with young theatre-makers and creative partners to make ambitious theatre which draws inspiration from the people they work with, physical spaces and stories both fictional and true. 

hidden route offers a space where young people from all backgrounds and experience can come together to collaborate, be curious and respond creatively to the world around them. 

team

Gemma Nicol, co-Artistic Director | Lisa Williamson, co-Artistic Director

Gemma Nicol & Lisa Williamson are co-Artistic directors of hidden route. Collectively they have been working within the participation sector for over twenty years. During this time, they have created, directed and managed theatre productions and projects with people of all ages in a range of settings, including; Mills Observatory, Verdant Works and Dundee University’s School of Life Sciences.

Before setting up hidden route, they worked together for six years within the renowned Engage department at Dundee Rep Theatre where they collaborated with communities and participants in diverse contexts such as schools, health & social care and a variety of community settings. 

In addition, as freelance artists they have worked with companies such as National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Youth Theatre, The Point, macrobert arts centre, Youth Theatre Arts Scotland and Imaginate.  

Gemma and Lisa love to create work that is driven by collaboration and curiosity and are passionate about bringing theatre-makers and audiences into new spaces. Fundamentally, the work they make is about amplifying the voices and creative ambitions of the young people they work with.