After studying Maths, Applied Maths and Physics for his Leaving Certificate, Barra studied Theatre at Goldsmiths and Trinity College Dublin. 

He then took on creative and management project roles with: Battersea Arts Centre, The Old Vic Tunnels, Manchester International Festival, Punchdrunk and the English National Opera. This varied experience fuels his collaborative approach to theatre making.  

It was his belief that storytelling provides a powerful platform for communicating research, that led him to start the Enlightenment Café.

Barra is a visiting director and writer at Bath Spa University and a member of lecturing staff at the National Centre for Circus Arts.

Following her MA in Applied Theatre at Goldsmiths, Liz worked with the Old Vic as their Education Manager and the National Theatre in their Learning department.

Liz enjoys all kinds of theatre, but has a particular interest in projects that include community groups and young people.

This is reflected in the work she does with Enlightenment Café, working with both academics and young people to bring their voice in to our productions.

Liz is also an Associate Producer at the Donmar Warehouse and the Artistic Director of MIGHTYmini productions, a company creating work for babies and their adults.

Sean trained at Motley in 2006, after studying illustration at Kent Institute of Art and Design.

Before working with the Enlightenment Café, Sean developed and designed work for Punchdrunk Enrichment for 6 years. This included The House Where Winter Lives, which was originally staged at the Discover Children's Story Centre in Stratford and then transferred to Perth International Arts Festival.

For the last year, Sean has been working with MAMA Festivals as their Deputy Head of Creative Production, designing work for Lovebox, The Great Escape and Wilderness.

He is a regular collaborator with Les Enfant Terribles.