As we begin 2025, Millie officially joins our Board of Trustees after her successful interview in October 2024. Her passion for supporting and empowering young people with Zest and day-to-day within her job role personifies our core values and maxims.
Millie has contributed to the following projects:
Youthquake (2019/20)
Never Was A Normal (2021)
Refresh Darlington (2021)
Future Proof (2020-present)
Board of Trustees (2025)
Based in the Northeast, Millie spoke with Adam Perkins over video calls on Tuesday 3rd, and Tuesday 10th December 2024 to explore and share her journey with Zest.
How did you get involved with Zest Theatre?
‘I met Toby and the team when Zest visited Hartlepool Sixth Form in 2019. I was in a very different situation when I first got involved with Zest. My mum had relapsed, so I was living with my auntie and uncle and I was in a different headspace, feeling angry at the world. Zest came at the perfect time, as they reminded me that people can be kind.
‘As part of the research and development workshop, Toby would open up discussions around broad topics that would contribute to the next show, Youthquake. I got into a prominent argument with someone in my group regarding benefits as they spoke negatively, suggesting that people who require support are lazy. I reacted defensively and felt embarrassed afterwards, but the discussions and points I shared went into developing a character for Youthquake. My role within Youthquake was to be part of the flash mob. One of the main adult roles would perform a TED talk, portraying an adult, uninterested in listening to what young people had to say. I was part of the youth cast, who would challenge characters with various monologues from the audience. I was also a key part of developing choreography for the show.
‘Once finished at the start of 2020, Youthquake left me feeling quite hopeful. After August 2020, we began Future Proof, focusing on feedback and trends with young people and providing critical responses for Zest.’
What motivated you to join the Future Proof team with Zest Theatre?
‘I had been so excited while working on Youthquake that I felt I had found my community.’
‘Despite being geographically far away from Lincoln and others on the board, I wanted to continue working with Zest due to the inclusivity and diversity while working with adults who are open about pronouns and gender identity. When I joined Zest at 19, I wasn't in touch with my creative side, and my job was far from my interests. I studied performing arts in college with the aim of moving down south to attend university, but I couldn't afford it. We don't have many opportunities here in the northeast, and with how smoothly Youthquake ran, I felt motivated to join Future Proof with Zest Theatre.
In what ways has your involvement with Zest Theatre influenced your career path?
‘I am passionate about working with young people, particularly those from the northeast. I realised this when I worked on Refresh Darlington in 2021 as a facilitator with Zest. I now work with young people in a secondary school, offering pastoral support, deflation periods, support for parent communication, administering first aid, and performing other tasks to support our students.’
‘I loved the vibe and how Toby communicated with the kids during Refresh Darlington. He phrased tasks and gave space to not be judged, speaking with them politely, kind, and on the same level, and I was inspired by how he spoke with them. Zest's Brave Spaces policy has stuck with me for so long, and I've even shared these values as an interview technique, sharing how I always honour and aim to give young kids a brave space.’
How have your experiences with Zest Theatre benefited you personally?
‘The Zest Maxims have impacted my life to bring a bit of joy wherever I go. They encourage me to listen to people through active listening and understand that, sometimes, people don’t want solutions, they just want to vent, and I’ve learnt this from the Maxims and with Refresh Darlington.’
‘In the Future Proof meetings, I feel like I can communicate, contribute and articulate my thoughts clearly, getting my point across.’
‘I hadn’t attended many professional meetings before, and even though Future Proof is usually relatively informal, we still have to think about how we contribute to discussions, especially when attending board meetings. These experiences have helped me develop communication skills.’
Could you share any standout moments, stories or achievements with Zest Theatre?
‘Youthquake is my number one! It was so special and what I needed, and I was so proud to be a part of this project with Zest. After we’d finished, I would brag about it all the time. I remember shooting the confetti canons at the end with Alex, and his didn’t go off when mine did, but it was fine and we laughed it off.’
‘Refresh Darlington was just so much fun. When we finished on the final Friday afternoon, I called my husband, Kyle. and I spoke about the experience for half an hour before I even left. Listening to kids share positive opinions from well-crafted thoughts was amazing.’
‘Being accepted onto the Board of Trustees is a huge leap from where I started with Zest, and everything we do is so close to my heart. Everything I’ve done with Zest and Future Proof has grown my confidence.’
