Company
All Ignite Theatre is a theatre company founded by director Jelena Budimir and producer Sanna-Karina Aab. They met ahead of the production of White Guy on the Bus at the Finborough Theatre, and their successful collaboration led to forming a company in 2018. After the first production, they went ahead to produce Beast on the Moon at the Finborough and Property at New River Studios. Co-productions include Boots at the Bunker Theatre and Kind of Woman at the Camden People’s Theatre.
The company is dedicated to producing high quality theatre with social impact that reflects the world we live in, and has the potential to start important conversations. All Ignite Theatre believes in the power of theatre to change lives, and to make audiences think and feel whilst being entertained.
Part of the company's ethos is to promote participation and give access to the broadest audience. All Ignite Theatre's post-show discussions have facilitated far-ranging discussions on the themes of the plays among people who would not normally be in the same room. The conversations have hosted guest speakers from organisations such as Shelter, Equality Works, Index on Censorship, community activists and academics, alongside the plays’ writers and creatives.
All Ignite Theatre's workshop programme has allowed them to bring in audience from communities involved in the issues, whether it be from council estates or the Armenian community in London. The shows have successfully played to mixed demographic, with special initiatives bringing in young people and often those new to theatre. Inclusion – in its broadest sense – is at the heart of the company.
Team
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JELENA BUDIMIR
DIRECTOR
Jelena directed White Guy on the Bus, Beast on the Moon and Property, which she also wrote. Prior to setting up All Ignite Theatre, she was Associate Director at Chickenshed Theatre and led on their emerging writers’ programme Write Here, Write Now.
Direction includes: Fireflies In Jarrow by Phillip Meeks, So and So Capsule Festival. Tipping the Velvet by Laura Wade, One for Sorrow by Cordelia Lynn for Drama Studio London. Devised Life with members of Cardboard Citizens. At Chickenshed: Benjamin Zephaniah’s Refugee Boy adapted by Lemn Sissay, Sarah Daniels’ Gut Girls, The Comedy of Errors, Dario Fo’s Can't Pay! Won’t Pay!, Lysistrata, Our Country's Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker, Yard Gal by Rebecca Prichard, Ariel Dorfman’s Widows. Life After Death by Antuneil Thompson at Camden People’s Theatre.
She has also written and directed extensively for young people and children.
Jelena's website: https://jelenabudimir.com
SANNA-KARINA AAB
PRODUCER
Sanna is an independent theatre producer, general manager and coordinator. She trained in Creative Producing at University of Kent and is an alumni of the Stage One New Producers' Course.
Previous productions include The Duration (Omnibus Theatre), Beast on the Moon, White Guy on the Bus (Finborough), All the Web's a Stage (Online), Kind of Woman (Camden People's Theatre), Boots (Bunker Theatre), Femme Fatale (Wilton's Music Hall) and Inside (What's Coming Out of the Box).
Outside All Ignite Theatre, Sanna worked as the General Manager of Iris Theatre and London's Free Open Air Theatre Season. She has also worked with Emergency Exit Arts and Empire Street Productions.