My gurus – Geinor Styles

Geinor Styles, Artistic Director of Theatr na nOg, based in Neath, South Wales, names the most influential characters from her career.

David Edwards
My stage management lecturer at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. His knowledge of theatrical history and stagecraft was inspiring and influential. He was an excellent teacher, because he knew how to encourage and motivate people in a completely selfless and generous way. His calmness and dry sense of humour stays with me at the most stressful points of mounting a production.

Bethan Jones
I first met Bethan Jones when I was a student in my third year and I was writing a thesis on How to start a theatre company in Wales. She had already accomplished this  a new Welsh writing company called Dalier Sylw, which became Sgript Cymru. I was struck by her strength of character, intelligence and her dry, self-effacing humour. I worked alongside her as her stage manager and enjoyed every moment. She encouraged me to discuss scripts and the direction of plays, and subsequently gave me my first directing job  a rare opportunity in Wales at the time. Following her generous nature it has been an artistic policy of Theatr na nOgs to encourage new directors and writers.

Desmond Jones
My dad. Although he died a few years back, I was so pleased that he saw me succeed as a director, but, more importantly, do a job that I enjoy. I have inherited his sense of humour and integrity. He could diffuse most situations with his smile, and I attribute my ability to work well with and nurture people to him. My father was a natural and inventive storyteller. He conjured up his childhood in my minds eye so evocatively that it has inspired many characters in my plays for children. Greatly missed, but forever remembered.

Julie Andrews
I met Julie Andrews while she was filming Relative Values on the Isle of Man. She made me understand that to be a truly great talent requires no ego, and it is possible and essential to treat people from any background with consideration and respect. Her generosity and kindness holds no bounds.

Eric Styles
My husband Eric is probably the most dedicated, and committed person to his craft that I have ever known. He reminds me constantly how much a privilege it is to work in the arts, and especially in creating theatre for children, as he says, If it was that easy everyone would be doing it. He has instilled in me that the most important people in a theatre are your audience. Ignore them at your peril.