Vicki Dela Amedume
Artistic Director
“I fell in love with Circus because of it’s artistry. I stay in love with circus because it is a space for people to explore human connection – and to see the potential for the extraordinary in other human beings.”
Vicki Dela Amedume has been performing and creating aerial and circus-based work in the UK and worldwide since 1997. She founded Upswing to bring new artists and experiences to the stage, and to reflect a dynamic and diverse world. Always looking for innovative ways to stretch the art form, Vicki Dela is a dedicated leader in the sector. She works widely to develop established and emerging artists, with projects like our Flex Lab residency and the award-winning short film Circus Flavours On Screen.
In addition to her role at Upswing, Vicki Dela is Creative Director at The Albany, most recently supporting the delivery for Lewisham’s London Borough of Culture Programme ‘We Are Lewisham’. She is Associate Director of The New Vic Theatre, Chair Designate of The Baring Foundation, a trustee of the Coutts Foundation and in 2022 Victoria was awarded an MBE for ‘services to circus’.
Camille Ben Soussan
Executive Director
“I want to see the circus sector thrive and evolve. To do this we need empowered and brave artists that create boundary-pushing work. I believe Vicki is a creative pioneer, so I jumped at the opportunity to ride along on the Upswing journey.”
Camille Ben Soussan studied digital imaging, which is where she entered the world of theatre after taking an internship at LIFT. She went on to earn an MA in Enterprise Management for the Creative Arts from University of the Arts, London. Camille managed a talent agency for Continental Drifts and Outdoor Arts UK, where she is now a board member. After a career producing outdoor festivals and events, Camille joined Upswing in 2012, where she has innovatively progressed organisational development and produces their strategic projects and touring shows.
Nathan Johnston
Associate Director
’10 years ago, Upswing introduced me to Circus, and I have never looked back. Every project, every show, every new artist I meet, I am always astonished with the depth of passion, focus and determination that I find. Upswing continually help me develop in this wonderful world of Circus.’
Nathan has danced professionally for 14 years. His choreographic debut was as Co-Choreographer with Jorge Crecis for ’36’ and recreated to become ’12’, as part of Carlos Acosta Dance Company Rep. Nathan joined Upswing as an Associate Director in January 2024.
Celine McKillion
Senior Producer
“I have always admired how Upswing push the boundaries of what circus can be as well as where it can be, who for and who with. I’m really impressed by how they continue to explore new scales, settings, skills and partnerships through their work, with a genuine commitment to diversity and inclusivity at the core of everything. I am delighted to be a part of the company as it grows from strength to strength with some brilliant, ambitious projects in the pipeline.”
Celine brings almost two decades of experience delivering arts events, projects and programmes as a Creative Producer working mainly in circus and outdoor arts. She has previously held roles with Suptopia/Subcase Circus Fair in Stockholm, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Green Man Festival, the Albany Deptford and Imagine Watford/ Imagine Luton Festivals for Watford Palace Theatre.
She is passionate about connecting people together through memorable shared arts experiences and the power of circus and outdoor arts to do that in accessible and unexpected ways.
Jamie Disney
Stoke Community Rep & Assistant Stage Manager for Showdown
“I am incredibly passionate about bringing circus and performing arts to communities that may struggle with access, Upswing is a catalyst in growing the reach of our beloved artforms.”
Jamie graduated from East 15 in Community Theatre, he is the Artistic Director of a charitable organisation that takes circus to the edge’s of the world to enrich young peoples lives, and Artistic Director of an organisation that invents new methods of accessibility for the circus arts instruction sector. His passions lie in increasing access to the arts, and challenging perceptions of what projects are possible. My work with Upswing takes on several different roles, with several exceptional hats.
Rebecca Solomon
Lead Artist for the FLEX LAB artist residency and Aerialist
“One of my first projects with Upswing, Seasons – digital, was a brilliant short film where I could show off my childhood love for climbing trees.”
Rebecca is an aerialist, dancer and theatre director. Beginning her work in primary education, she found art the most interesting way to connect with her students imagination.
She went on to study circus in 2018. Since she has gone one to teach internationally and tour with some of the UK’s leading aerial circus companies with theatre and outdoor shows. She went on to create her first show Second-Hand Child in 2019, integrating puppetry and aerial to weave her personal experience with her interest in exploring identity and history. She hopes to fuse her work directing in theatre with circus, clowning and movement.
Sascha Goslin
General Manager
“When I first saw Ramshackle House by Upswing I realised how wonderful their creative work is, and taking part Flex Lab, Slow Thinking and their other projects really helped me to understand the important sector work they do as well. Now as General Manager I am extremely excited to be able to use my skills and experience to support Upswing to continue their fantastic work as part of the team.”
Sascha joined the world of Circus and Theatre in 2014, after graduating from the University of East Anglia with a 2:1 in Law with European Legal Systems. Since then she has worked in marketing, fundraising, access support and producing with a range of companies and individual artists including Out There Arts, NoFit State Circus, Frozen Light and Extraordinary Bodies. She is extremely passionate about supporting underrepresented communities and individuals engaging with and working in the arts and ensuring performances are as inclusive and accessible as possible.
Bridie Tyler
Digital Communications Associate
“I believe in working with arts organisations that create experiences and opportunities that are accessible and non-exclusive. Upswing does not only that, but also works to develop the sector so that we and other organisations can learn from each other and evolve our work from the inside out.“
Bridie is a creative digital freelancer working in communications, graphic design, web design, illustration, marketing and administration. Bridie is passionate about curating spaces, experiences and campaigns. Her background is in illustration and running creative events, and her client work is informed by the know-how she built from branding and marketing her own projects. Bridie has previously worked as Centre Manager for carnival arts centre Sunshine International Arts, devised and run a creative programme of family workshops for Bedruthan Hotel in Cornwall, launched a sold-out makers market for emerging artists in South London, facilitated craft workshops for The Makery at John Lewis and managed the social media for the Mossman Family Group in London.