Factory International Fellows 2025 | Manchester

Meet the fellows

Introducing our Factory International 2025 Fellows!

We're delighted to welcome a range of creatives to work with us over the next year and beyond.

Get to know our wonderful fellows and their work below.

Christian Asare

“The Factory Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to refine my craft – co-learning and collaborating with like-minded creatives of calibre – and explore new artistic directions on a grand scale. As an interdisciplinary artist, I thrive in spaces that challenge and inspire, fostering meaningful dialogue and artistic innovation. This fellowship offers the ideal environment to develop impactful work with a global scope, within a dynamic and supportive professional community.”

Christian Asare is a dynamic interdisciplinary Black British artist whose work seamlessly blends movement, colour and narrative artistry. With a prolific career spanning visual arts, dance, theatre and performance, he creates immersive experiences that honour heritage, self-expression and the complexities of identity, sparking dialogue around culture, intersectionality and the fluidity of self-perception.

As a visual artist, Asare’s style is vivid, textural and deeply emotive. His use of layered hues and dynamic compositions reflects his dance background, infusing his canvases with kinetic energy. Themes of diaspora and spiritual resilience are woven through his work, making each piece both personal and universal.

A skilled choreographer, writer and curator, Asare bridges disciplines to craft compelling narratives. His collaborations with cultural institutions and global brands have brought his work to international audiences, demonstrating art’s capacity to connect, transform and inspire.

Instagram

Christian Asare wearing a blue suit jacket and white shirt

Elliot Hughes

“Being part of the Factory International Fellowship feels like an absolute game-changer. Being able to work so closely with the Factory team, with international artists at the top of their field, and with a fellow group of curious, innovative collaborators will be a unique and invaluable opportunity. I can’t wait to see where these incredible people are going to push me (and also I reckon it’s gonna be a proper laugh).”

Elliot Hughes is a Mancunian writer, performer and theatre maker. He creates work with an unashamedly working-class voice, informed by a childhood raised by a single mother on the poverty line, spent making games, telling stories, and constantly moving house to run away from bailiffs.

Elliot is no longer running away from bailiffs, but never stopped with the games and stories.

Elliot is the Artistic Director of Hidden Track – a multi-award winning interactive theatre company creating playable political work which fights for change, challenges narratives and rewrites the rules of theatre. Their pioneering work has asked its audiences to build cities and nations from scratch, search inside abandoned industrial fridges, and shout and fling things at each other in a giant chaotic class war.

Elliot’s work has been commissioned by organisations including The Lowry, The Albany, HOME, Harrogate Theatres and Oxford Playhouse.

He’s also worked with artists such as Coney, Theatre Deli, Forced Entertainment, and The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience.

BlueSky / Website

Linda Devo

“I am delighted to have been selected to be a Factory International Fellow. What a superb opportunity for learning, connection and growth. I anticipate deeply exciting times ahead and look forward to the impact and effects of being in this creative vehicle!”

Linda Devo is a multi-disciplinary cultural producer and artist specializing in community-centred projects that explore sustainability, intersectionality, and social connection. Skilled in design, making and inclusive education, Linda has a track record of engaging diverse communities through collaborative arts practices.

Linda is co-founder of both Kiki Bristol and DiaspoRainbow, a National network of 9 QTIPoC organizations as well as a member of Booty Bass Collective, who have performed at Glastonbury, Shambala and on multiple radio platforms.

Personal Instagram / DJ Instagram

Shemel Rose-Thompson

“The fellowship provides me with the chance to move beyond the confines of being solely a photographer and embrace my aspirations of being a multidisciplinary creative. It will allow me to immerse myself fully in the creative scene.”

Shemel Rose-Thompson is a freelance creative who finds inspiration in her roots, whether it's Old Trafford, Manchester, or her Caribbean heritage.

Her work delves into the rich tapestry of urban life, with a keen focus on capturing the essence of people and places. Motivated by a strong social conscience and a passion for driving change, Shemel channels her personal experiences with societal challenges into her work. She aims to make a meaningful impact and inspire positive transformations through her work.

Instagram

Sonny Nwachukwu

“I am so happy to be chosen to be on the Fellowship! At a time when the arts are being shrunk, Factory International is giving my fellow cohort and me an opportunity to Dream big, Collaborate big and Create big! I'm excited to be a sponge over the next year and soak in all the learnings to enhance my craft.”

Sonny Nwachukwu is a multidisciplinary artist and the artistic director of Gateway Arts. Sonny creates socially relevant, innovative and accessible work that blends movement, text and immersive storytelling. His work explores themes of family relationships, identity and life patterns.

Sonny wrote and directed Saturn Returns at the Unlimited Festival (Southbank Centre), which was nominated for a Black British Theatre Award in 2022 and has also worked on productions such as The Paradis Files (Graeae), High Times, and Dirty Monsters, the latter winning an Offie Award for Access. His current project, The Nursery, explores fatherhood in the 21st century and the effects of parental neglect.

Rooted in innovation and a commitment to inclusivity, Sonny’s work hopes to challenge traditional forms of theatre.

Instagram / Website

Stefanie Reynolds

“Aviva Studios is a really exciting, innovative new arts space in my hometown and I'm buzzing to have made this connection and to be a part of this Fellowship! I'm excited to connect with Factory Inttenrational's network, shadow a large-scale show (!!) and have one to one's with a mentor as well as Creative Director Low Kee Hong. I can't wait to explore this versatile, creative building and gain a wealth of knowledge and creativity.”

Stefanie is a comedy writer from Manchester.

Stefanie’s one-person play Unhinged debuted at HOME’s Push festival in 2025.

In autumn 2024, Stefanie’s debut play Danesha, produced by Box of Tricks, had a regional tour opening at The Lowry.

She has written for Scratch nights and comedy nights in London and Manchester theatres, as well as touring her play Scribbles at Edinburgh Fringe festival and Battersea Arts Centre. Her play That Time We Got High was shortlisted for Channel 4 stories and a Royal Court Theatre and Kudos fellowship, longlisted for Women's Playwriting award, and staged at Soho Theatre.

She was part of the Offie award-winning series The Waves with her audio drama Baby Mama produced by Tamasha Theatre/Holy Mountain Productions (2022) and also completed The Royal Exchange’s new six-month writing exchange programme in partnership with WarnerMedia, developing her first TV pilot script.

Instagram