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WHO WE ARE

Logo The Folkestone Performing Arts Comp

FPAC is a theatre company that celebrates local stories, shared creativity & innovation. We create theatre that is vibrant, relevant and rooted in the lives of the people who live across Kent.

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Our work happens across four programmes:

  1. Community Theatre Sessions – Acting sessions that are free, open and welcoming to absolutely everyone. No experience necessary.

  2. Writing for Performance – A free community writers’ group where you can explore how stories become theatre.

  3. Art-Informed Policy Development – Bringing creativity into the heart of local decision-making through theatre-led insight and dialogue.

  4. Artistic Associates – Developing touring shows that celebrate Kent's unique voices and narratives.​  ​

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About Artistic Director

Matthew Hahn:

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Matthew Hahn is an international theatre director, playwright and theatre for development practitioner with experience across the UK, USA, Eastern Europe and East and Southern Africa.  His participatory theatre work focuses on social cohesion, youth empowerment, peacebuilding and conflict resolution. He is a Trustee with Most Mira, a Bosnian charity using the arts to bridge divided communities. His first play, The Robben Island Shakespeare, has been performed internationally and informs his ethical leadership workshops exploring Shakespeare, resilience and leadership through the experiences of former South African political prisoners.

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As Artistic Director, he brings 25 years of international development experience to the heart of his local communities. Drawing on decades of working across cultures and continents, he recognises that the challenges confronting communities around the world are not distant realities, but are deeply embedded in the fabric of life right here in Folkestone, Kent, England and the United Kingdom. Through his artistic leadership, he seeks to bridge global perspectives with local action, using creativity, collaboration and cultural expression to confront these pressing issues and inspire meaningful, lasting systemic change.

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Matthew holds degrees in Political Science and Journalism from Indiana University and a Master’s in Theatre Directing from Goldsmiths, University of London. He has trained with SITI Company, Anne Bogart and Cardboard Citizens. As an artist and social activist, he uses theatre to address complex political and social challenges and advance community development.

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Our Current Projects:
IMG_6774 © Hahn. FPAC.jpeg

Every voice matters.

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If you are passionate about creating a fairer, healthier Folkestone, we invite you to get involved with

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Have Your Say, Folkestone!

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This unique community-led creative storytelling project brings together people with lived experience of food poverty and mental health challenges to share their stories, shape powerful performances, and engage directly with local decision-makers. By placing lived experience at the heart of the conversation, the project aims to inspire understanding, influence policy, and drive meaningful change across our community.

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Whether you would like to participate, attend a performance, or support the project, your involvement can help ensure that local voices are heard and acted upon.

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Find out more about the project and how you can make a difference.

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Register your interest as a participant or audience member and be part of the conversation.

Support our Spacehive crowdfunding campaign and help us amplify community voices, challenge inequality, and create lasting change in Folkestone.

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DSC_0007 © Mark Hourahane.jpg
Art Informed Policy Development:
Legislative Theatre 
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Community Acting Sessions
Writing for Performance Workshops.jpg
Community Playwrighting Sessions
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Drama Workshops for Young People
FPAC's The Winter Wish Holiday Show. Credit Cemanthe McKenzie
The Winter Wish
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