Who we are
We are a team of associated creative trainers, facilitators and arts practitioners, based in Cardiff, Wales, with a collective 120 years’ experience and successful work in the arts. We want to share the unique and valuable processes that we use in the arts to empower people to create confidence and success.
Creative director
Adrienne O'Sullivan
Adrienne is the Director of Act Now Creative Training and an award-winning trainer.
Adrienne is passionate about people, their potential and the power of the arts to develop that potential. Her other passions are her family, animation, brilliant box sets and colour.
Simon Harris (Creative Associate)
Simon is a theatre director, writer and producer. His skills are located in understanding people, how they relate to each other and how their potential can be developed.
He is passionate about many aspects of the arts, but believes in the capacity of theatre and its associated practice to enliven, inspire and involve. Outside of work, he is passionate about music, cooking, especially baking bread, Manchester United and his adorable family.
Simon Harris (Creative Associate)'s CV Simon Harris (Creative Associate)'s Desert Island Discs
Carri Munn (Creative Associate)
Carri Munn is an actor, director, trainer, lecturer and stand up comedian, working in English and in Welsh.
p.Carri is passionate about comedy, long distance running and is a huge fan of all things Italian. Carri has been an Associate of Act Now since 2006.She has also trained Doctors to communicate more effectively, fire-fighters to manage their teams more efficiently and has encouraged countless individuals to feel the fear and do their presentations anyway.
Carri Munn (Creative Associate)'s CV Carri Munn (Creative Associate)'s Desert Island Discs
Jason King (Creative Associate)
Jason King is an award winning filmmaker, skilled in writing, directing, camera and editing.
Jason is passionate about giving a voice to the under represented and when not filmmaking he enjoys nothing better than a very long run, preferably off road! Jason’s motto for life is Robert Bresson’s quote “make visible that without you, may never have been seen”.
Jason King (Creative Associate)'s CV Jason King (Creative Associate)'s Desert Island Discs
Sarah Thompson (Administator)
Sarah is a professional and experienced administrator with many years of high – level business administration support. When not at her desk she can be found near the sea and the coast, stand up paddle boarding, beach combing for pebbles and seaglass or reading a book with a nice cup of earl grey tea.
Sarah Thompson (Administator)'s CV Sarah Thompson (Administator)'s Desert Island Discs
Coleen Watkins (Finance Director)
Coleen Watkins expertise is in finance, administration, organisational training and human resources with a career spanning 50 years. She has worked at senior management level within the public, private and 3rd sectors. Coleen enjoys travel, reading, cooking and spending precious time with her family.
Coleen Watkins (Finance Director)'s CV Coleen Watkins (Finance Director)'s Desert Island Discs
Key Associates
We have access to some of the top actors and arts specialists currently working in Wales. We always aim to offer specific individuals that are appropriate for the client’s needs and it is important that all of our associates have a current arts practice and are developing and refreshing their skills through exciting projects and connections.
Associated venues, organisations and collaborators
Our training can take place in one of the wonderful venues below, a venue of your choice or your company offices.
Chapter Arts Centre, Wales Millennium Centre, Penarth Pier Pavilion, Royal Northern College of Music, Urdd, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Swansea Grand Theatre, The Gate Arts Centre, St Donats Arts Centre, Wales Millennium Stadium and Reardon Smith Theatre Cardiff Museum, Torch Theatre
Choosing to train in an arts venue brings great benefits to participants involving new perspectives, a space to think and the opportunity to try out new approaches to old challenges away from the demands of everyday work environments.
Arts & Business Cymru
A&B Cymru’s role is to promote, enable and develop mutually beneficial partnerships between business and the arts.
“In over a decade of partnership, Adrienne and her team have delivered a consistently high quality service for A&B Cymru and a wide range of our business members. The work of Act Now makes a tangible impact on people in the workplace. It takes a creative and tailored approach, helping individuals to enhance their skills and communicate more effectively.”
The Map Consortium
A group of experienced artist-facilitators designing and leading creative professional development and culture change programmes.
“Adrienne’s work combines rigorous planning and methodology from the worlds of business and the arts to produce powerful and lasting impact.”