Our Story
New Town Theatre is a Basildon-based arts organisation dedicated to bringing meaningful cultural experiences to South Essex residents. We partner with local people to produce stage shows, host inclusive workshops for all ages, and mentor emerging artists through professional training and performance. Our mission is to enhance wellbeing and community pride by making creativity accessible to everyone. By celebrating local stories and fostering artistic expression, we ensure that the transformative power of the arts is available to all members of our community, especially those who have historically faced barriers to cultural participation.
Terry Bird
Thomas Mason
Co-Artistic Director
Co-Artistic Director
Terry is a British actor and producer with over 35 years of experience in the entertainment industry, having also co-founded New Town Films. At 19, Terry formed Prime Time Theatre Company, a TlE company that devised and performed shows for schools and youth centres to address social matters relevant to young people alongside being commissioned by local councils and educational institutions . Terry's community and social impact work is deeply rooted in his belief that the creative arts should be accessible to all.
Thomas Mason is a playwright and Applied Theatre practitioner specialising in cultural development, place-based and community engagement. He has dedicated his career to expanding arts access for diverse audiences. With an MA in Applied Theatre from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Thomas focuses on storytelling that promotes social inclusion and real life stories. He is driven by a firm commitment to using creative participation as a tool to bridge social gaps and build stronger community connections.