About us

C&T is a leading UK charity in applied theatre, digital arts, and creative technology, with over 35 years of pioneering work in community engagement and inclusive practice. Established in Worcester in 1988 as Collar & Tie, C&T began as an innovative theatre-in-education company focused on social justice and participation. Over time, the organisation expanded into cross-artform practice, blending performance, digital media, education, and community storytelling.

In the late 2000s, C&T became one of the first UK arts organisations to integrate digital innovation into large-scale participatory projects. This digital shift led to the development of Prospero, our award-winning platform that supports creative learning, co-creation, and accessible participatory arts for schools, universities, and communities across the UK and internationally.

As an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, C&T delivers work that champions diversity, digital inclusion, and equitable access to culture. Our programmes bring together learning-disabled adults, young people, educators, families, and local communities through sensory theatre, GPS-triggered digital walks, interactive media, and collaborative performance. C&T continues to lead the UK arts sector in exploring how creativity, reseearch and technology can strengthen communities and widen participation.

Paul Sutton: Artistic Director and CEO

Dr Paul Sutton is Artistic Director and CEO of C&T and a national leader in digital arts, applied theatre, and inclusive participatory practice. Under Paul’s strategic leadership, C&T has grown into an internationally recognised organisation for its innovative blending of performance, digital media, and community engagement.

Paul spearheaded the creation of Prospero, C&T’s internationally used digital platform supporting co-creation, creative learning, and accessible digital participation. His work focuses on using technology to widen cultural access, particularly for learning-disabled adults, young people, and underserved communities.

A respected practitioner, educator, and researcher, Paul collaborates widely across the UK arts sector—partnering with universities, cultural organisations, and community groups to explore new models of creative technology and digital inclusion. His leadership ensures that C&T remains at the forefront of cross-artform innovation, delivering socially impactful, community-centred programmes with national reach.

Paul has a PhD in Applied Theatre and Digital Technology, is Digital Editor of Research in Drama Education: the Journal of Applied Performance and has co-authored and edited numerous books on applied creativity and technology. He was Honorary Research Fellow at the University Of Worcester and has taught extensively in schools, colleges and universities in the UK and internationally. He is a board member of Multistory in Sandwell and was one of the founders of Worcester’s new Scala Arts Centre.

Max Dean: Creative Producer

Dr Max Dean is C&T’s Creative Producer and a specialist in inclusive digital creativity, cross-artform practice, and co-creation with learning-disabled adults. He leads on the artistic development of Prospero’s creative projects and designs many of C&T’s groundbreaking sensory theatre, interactive, and digital participatory programmes.

Max’s expertise combines performance, digital design, and accessible creative technology. His work ensures that learning-disabled adults play an active, authorship-driven role in C&T’s projects—deepening the organisation’s commitment to equity, representation, and meaningful participation.

With a strong background in community engagement and digital arts innovation, Max shapes programmes that connect creativity, technology, and lived experience. His leadership is central to C&T’s position as a national exemplar in inclusive, technology-enhanced participatory arts, ensuring that diverse voices guide the development of new creative approaches across the UK.

Max has a PhD in Process Drama and video games and is a board member of Worcester’s Monday Night Club for learning disabled people.

Al Pagan: Lead Developer

Al Pagan is Lead Developer at C&T, responsible for the digital infrastructure behind many of C&T’s cross-artform and participatory projects. His engineering expertise ensures that C&T’s digital tools are robust, accessible, and designed for inclusive creative engagement.

Al played a key role in designing the technical architecture of Prospero, enabling schools, communities, artists, and learning-disabled users to participate confidently in digital arts experiences. His work supports C&T’s interactive media projects, GPS-based artworks, motion-tracking performances, and digital learning environments.

With deep experience in software development, digital production, and user-centred design, Al ensures that technology enhances creativity rather than obstructing it. His contribution is vital to C&T’s reputation as an delivering high-quality, innovative digital arts practice that strengthens communities and widens cultural participation.