Alma’s Not Normal’s Sophie Willan joins line-up of Culture Cares Conference

Derby Theatre, Derby’s Cultural Education Partnership, and partners including the Esmée Fairbairn Young People Leaving Care programme, are excited to announce that award-winning actor, comedian and writer Sophie Willan will join the line-up of speakers at the Culture Cares Conference 2021.

The 2021 conference will take place both in-person at Derby Theatre and online on Tuesday 16 November, 10am – 5pm.

About Sophie Willan

BAFTA AWARD WINNER BEST COMEDY WRITER 2021

RTS AWARD BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE NOMINEE 2021

Writer, Actor, Comedian Producer and Activist… Sophie is sharp, eccentric and provocative and fast becoming one of the most exciting rising stars in British comedy.

Sophie is a care leaver, whose personal experiences are part of her life’s mission; to empower, represent and advocate for care experienced young people and marginalised children and adults.

In 2015, Sophie founded non-profit organisation, Stories Of Care; a dynamic and rebellious writing and outreach organisation, that work exclusively with exceptional new writers, from diverse backgrounds. They offer long-term developmental support to their participants so that they can become creative leaders and make personal and political work that smashes through the glass ceilings.

In 2016 she took her debut stand-up show On Record, based on her experiences of growing up in and out of the care system, to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. A total sell out run and phenomenal critical acclaim followed, with a smash hit nationwide tour in 2017 and a commission to adapt the show into a BBC Radio 4 series.

Alma’s Not Normal

Image: Sophie Willan (in pink) with Nicolas Ashbury, Siobhan Finneran and Lorraine Ashbourne in Alma’s Not Normal. Photograph: Matt Squire/BBC/Expectation

Sophie’s BAFTA Winning comedy series, Alma’s Not Normal, is currently airing on BBC Two. As an Executive Producer on the sitcom, Sophie has also instigated a paid training programme for young people from low income and Care Experienced backgrounds on the production.

You can also listen to her hugely acclaimed BBC Radio 4 Series Sophie Willan’s Guide To Normality on BBC Sounds. Or tune into her dulcet sounds, on Channel 4 as the much-loved voice of The Circle.

Willan has also appeared on Between The Covers (BBC Two), As Yet Untitled (Dave), Live At The Comedy Store (Comedy Central), Up Late With Rylan (Channel 5), Still Open All Hours (BBC One), Click And Collect (BBC One), Class Dismissed (BBC One), The One Show (BBC One) and The Tez O Clock Show (Channel 4).

Image by Chris Webb: Culture Cares Conference 2018 featuring Plus One participants in performance Leaving by Curious Monkey.