A landmark photography project
Photography by Katie O'Neill & Lilly Shields
Caroline Clegg is an award-winning UK and international Stage director. A former dancer and actor for stage and screen, she is the founder and Artistic Director of Feelgood Theatre Productions.
Born and raised in Bury, Caroline attended Bury Church School (now Bury Church High School). Her passion for performance was ignited at the age of five, when she began after-school classes at the Lupino School of Dance. “I was a bit of a loner as a child,” she recalls, “but music, singing and dancing always lifted my soul.
As a child I loved musical theatre and old films; I wanted to be Doris Day and play Calamity Jane.
Stage director, Caroline Clegg
Aged 17, she moved to London to pursue training in acting and dance, leading to a vibrant career that spanned West End musicals, regional theatre, television, and film. Alongside her freelance portfolio, Caroline established Feelgood Theatre Productions in 1994, where she continues to serve as CEO and Artistic Director. Under her leadership, the company has combined international touring with community-driven projects, creating work that is both innovative and deeply rooted in accessibility. Because of this, Caroline’s work has a keen eye to the audience gaze and a deep understanding of the demands of the operatic stage and the modern theatre audience.
In 1998, she began her professional career in opera directing with the Welsh National Opera. In 2007 she was awarded the John Thaw Fellowship from the University of Manchester where she earned a Master’s degree in Music and Drama followed by a PhD at the Royal Northern College of Music.
Caroline is passionate about cross art-form collaborations, new commissions and site-specific work, a genre that Caroline has pioneered and perfected with over 30 years of award-winning work. She approaches her work with a definite sense of risk and adventure, willing to explore our perceptions of current societal issues through music and drama in order to change hearts and minds.
Firm in her belief that art should be a right, not a privilege, Caroline works tirelessly to connect professional performers with local communities, celebrating the joy and wellbeing that music and theatre bring. She also lectures internationally, and in the UK has directed at institutions including the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and the Royal Northern College of Music.
Caroline lives in Trafford, Greater Manchester, and rides a Triumph Bonneville.
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Caroline directing Blaze of Glory for Welsh National Opera
Caroline was presented with the Horniman Award - 'lifetime achievement' and 'outstanding services to live theatre' - at the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards, 2007
THE SHOOT: Quays Theatre, The Lowry, Salford Quays
Caroline has directed many times in the theatre, including the first ever production on The Lowry's opening in 2000
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Student reflection: Lilly Shields
Photographing Caroline was an incredible experience. The session took place at The Lowry, in and around the Quays Theatre, a venue that holds special significance for her. Caroline was warm and welcoming, and she took the time to share how important the theatre has been in her career, having directed its opening production 25 years ago. Her passion for theatre and the stage was immediately evident.
We began the shoot in the stalls of the Quays Theatre, capturing Caroline in various positions around the auditorium and by the side of the stage. She was a natural in front of the camera, confident, relaxed, and a real pleasure to work with. Next, we moved to the theatre concourse, where we made use of the vibrant, colourful walls to create some dynamic portraits. Finally, we stepped outside the iconic venue to take advantage of the summer sunshine and the striking metal architecture, which provided a bold, eye-catching backdrop for the final images.
Being part of the second phase of the Greater Mancunians project and photographing Caroline has been a huge honour. This project has significantly boosted my confidence in photography, and the skills I’ve developed continue to support me in my degree studies at the University of Salford.
