In 2023 the co-founders of This Place Arts, Amanda and Alison, met at an improvisation class at Fire & Water, Sowerby Bridge. Fire & Water is a hub for creative innovation in the Calderdale Valley. A place where creative ventures begin and sparks fly. Amanda and Alison both have extensive experience in performing arts and immediately formed a mutual respect for each other’s work. Their Shared values in theatre making, laid solid foundations for creative collaboration. They quickly began writing and performing together as part of several theatre and spoken word projects at Fire & Water.  Following this, Alison was commissioned to write, ‘Swimming Pool Diaries’, which celebrates the long life of the venue. Amanda and Alison performed together in the piece, further embedding their partnership.

The success of their collaboration, led to a deepening interest in the potential of theatre to enrich communities. They began to develop site-specific work with ideas generated through community engagement. Using overlooked stories and voices is now at the heart of their creative process. Amanda and Alison have since received interest from many different community groups and the forming of This Place Arts was a natural step to establish their work and create bespoke performance experiences.