About
Who are we?
Dorsetborn were formed in early 2022 by Artistic Director Rohan Gotobed. We believe compelling stories can come from anywhere.
Still a young company, we’ve transported audiences to Antarctica and back, performed in schools, libraries, and an Iron Age Earthouse, and also made digital productions for Kingston Lacy and Poole Museum.
Our Team
Rohan Gotobed (he/him) – Artistic Director
Rohan is a director and writer from Dorset. He trained at Birkbeck and the Unicorn Theatre during the pandemic, learning how to make theatre for a variety of audiences despite challenging circumstances. As a child he went to Hogwarts; making magic remains a huge part of his life.
Favourite place in Dorset? Badbury Rings in the Summer, Holt Heath in the Autumn.
Favourite theatrical experience? The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez, which I saw in one-sitting at the Young Vic in 2018. Transcendent.
Recent credits include: A Shipwreck Story, Fort, PRIDE, Georgia and the Iceberg (Dorsetborn); Destroy the Precious Things (MAST Studios); Macbeth (Arts University Bournemouth); Artrage (The National Gallery), and Ways of Seeing (Museum of East Dorset).
Layla Bradbeer (she/her) – Associate Designer
Layla is a designer and theatre-maker. She trained at Central Saint Martins and the BBC, where she worked as an Art Director. A proud dyslexic who still can’t read clocks yet achieved an ‘A’ at A-level English, Layla loves to make theatre that is accessible, inclusive, and means something.
Favourite place in Dorset? Corfe Castle, which is awe-inspiring.
Favourite theatrical experience? The Terrible Infants at Wilton’s Music Hall. I have vivid memories of puppets! It was macabre and playful and all set in this extraordinary venue that made me feel utterly immersed.
Recent credits include: A Shipwreck Story, Fort, Georgia and the Iceberg (Dorsetborn); Sophia (Eastern Angles); The Misbehaving Letters (Polka); Right of Way (SW Tour), and Regeneration (Brockley Jack).
Dorsetborn is very thankful to Olivia Tetlow, who was our Associate Producer from 2022-2025.
We collaborate with different artists on a project to project basis, ranging from West End veterans to people making their professional debut. We always aim to promote local talent, but also love to introduce creatives to the South West.
“Everything we make is an adventure, for us and the audience.”
– Rohan Gotobed, Artistic Director
Dorsetborn 