A short-haired person in a grey sweatshirt crouches in woodland, smiling with arms outstretched while holding a small stick.

About us

Theatre Sprout makes original theatre for curious little humans aged 0-7, with a focus on play, puppetry and imaginative storytelling.

We’re here for their big little moments: their first time at the theatre, their first time experiencing a story unfold in real time, their first time seeing a character come to life right before their eyes.

Our relaxed, inclusive performances welcome every child (and grown-up) from the moment they arrive, planting tiny seeds of wonder that can grow into a lifelong love of theatre.

Rooted in the North East, Theatre Sprout is led by Artistic Director Hannah Goudie-Hunter, who has been dreaming up theatre for young audiences since 2016. Based in Durham, Hannah co-founded and co-led Kitchen Zoo from 2017 to 2025, sharing joyful, playful productions with over 42,000 audience members across the UK. Alongside Theatre Sprout, she also works as a freelance Director, Performer and Deviser with brilliant companies including Nicol Entertainment, Cap-a-Pie, Curious Arts, and Northern Stage.

We believe the tiniest tales can grow into the most magical adventures. So come along, and let’s play!

Three people sit at a pale grey table in a theatre space, smiling as they watch something off-camera, with sets and equipment behind them.
A white stuffed bear in a red hat is moved across a surface by two performers in fluffy white costumes guiding its limbs.
A performer wearing grey mouse ears pops out of a hole in a stack of brown paper presents tied with colourful ribbons.

These are some of the brilliant people we work with…

A person with shoulder length blonde hair stands in front of a brick wall, smiles at the camera and wears a yellow beanie, a tan jacket, and a blue sweater.
A person with short dark hair looks at a small object in their hand in a dimly lit room.
A person with shoulder-length blonde hair smiles and plays a ukulele against a green background.
A person with dark curly hair is on stage, smiling and gesturing with her hands.
A person with a grey fringe smiles at the camera and wears red framed glasses and a colourful floral top.
A black and white sketch of a smiling person with curly hair.
A person with shoulder-length brown hair, wears a grey turtleneck sweater under a dark jacket, sits smiling in a dark room and holding a mug in their hand.
A person with long blonde wavy hair laughs outdoors in a park with trees and sunlight in the background.
A black and white photo of a person with a bald head and dark moustache wearing a striped shirt, making a surprised or shocked facial expression.
A person with long dark curly hair looking surprised at a yellow cartoon cat and a pink speech bubble saying "Hi!" sitting on their shoulder.
Person wearing a white shirt, brown waistcoat and a hood with tall ears playing a flute outdoors against a blue sky.
A person with a bright copper bob, wearing black glasses, smiling, in an indoor setting with part of a bicycle visible in the background.
Photo of a black and white painting of a persons head and torso with long wavy hair, smiling and looking upwards.
A smiling person with short dark hair, a beard and moustache, wearing a white and orange striped shirt, against a plain background.
Silhouette of a person playing a bass guitar on stage with orange and yellow stage lights.
A black and white photo of a person peeking over a thick tree branch, with only their eyes and the upper part of their face visible.
A blurred photo of a figure with dark hair and fair skin in a dark setting, wearing a black top and jewellery, with their hand near their chin
A person dressed in a kilt, black boots and an unusual headdress, jumping with one leg kicked out behind them, casting a shadow on the plain grey background.
Logo with large pink text reading "VON FOX" and smaller text below stating "VIDEO, PHOTOGRAPHY & GRAPHIC DESIGN" on a dark green background.
A figure wearing blue jeans and stripped t-shirt moves an egg-shaped puppet on a table, with a group of children wearing red sitting on the floor in front of them
A person wearing a blue sweatshirt sits on a chair covered in a checkered green and brown blanket and holds a crumpled piece of paper in front of them. A person with blonde hair wears black and sits in the floor next to them
Two figures (one wearing a black t-shirt and other a white t-shirt) lift a fluffy white bear out of a blue plastic barrel. the bear wears a red hat and appears to be looking at it's surroundings

Words that make us smile…

“Hannah creates work with audiences in mind, applying incredible thought and care to every aspect, from how they will be welcomed into the space through to the memories they will carry home with them. She never loses sight of how children and their families want to be entertained – every show she has worked on is full of fun, joy and mischief, and allows audiences to make friends with the characters and celebrate the positive things in life together.”

A person with blonde, straight, shoulder-length hair, wearing black glasses and a black top, against a pink background.

Annabel Turpin - Chief Executive, Storyhouse & Co-Director, Future Arts Centres

“Hannah is an essential theatre maker for today and for the future of theatre, making dynamic and inclusive audience-centred work for young audiences (and their grown ups!).”

A brown skinned person with short, curly blonde hair, wearing a purple beret, black glasses, a septum piercing, a pink t-shirt, and denim overalls, looks off camera against a black background

Natalie Ibu - Artistic Director and CEO, Northern Stage

"Hannah is a thoughtful and skilled theatre maker with a genuine commitment to work for young audiences. Her work is joyful and inventive and is particularly appealing for nursery and reception aged children and their families.”

A person with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a patterned top with pink, white, and blue dots, and a silver necklace, sitting on a purple chair in front of a blue background

Miranda Thain - Artistic Producer, Theatre Hullabaloo