Meet the team:

Artistic Directors

Artistic Directors Tor Lighten and Hugo Papiernik are a veritable creative duo. Their collaborative partnership grew out of the Covid Pandemic after meeting at East 15 Acting school in 2018. Seeking to create a theatre laboratory through which to develop new ways of producing, devising and training. Together they founded MESSY KIND in 2021.

Since the foundation they have stood for the creation and promotion of exceptional theatre, and the facilitation of creative experimentation. They’re mission is to produce, promote and create quality entertainment, performances and events through the empowerment of up-and-coming artists and theatre-makers.

Together at Messy Kind, they have co-produced a tour of “Two Gentlemen of Verona”, produced two Award-nominated shows (‘Chilli Con Carne’ and ‘RICHARD III’), and organised countless industry events, ranging from acting workshops to new-writing R&Ds.

ASSociate producer

Our Associate Producer Sophie Marsden started producing back in 2014, when she co-produced the shows ‘Sweet Nothings’ and ‘Bonus Material’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for Bristol Revunions comedy group, before she worked as an assistant producer for Outrider Anthems on their project: ‘Song of Crow’ from 2015-2016.

Her more recent credits include: Wine & Hotdogs’ (2023), and a British & Irish tour of ‘The Good Women’ (2024).

Her work with Messy Kind began as early as 2021. She first worked as a producer for the company on our very first production ‘TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA” and has been an important collaborator ever since. In 2025, she is official joining the company as our associate producer.