Lessons from Teacher x

Barbara Smith (EastEnders) brings 15 unique characters to life in a gripping new play from Erin De Frias and Dorsetborn (Fort). Lessons from Teacher is a romcom-thriller about love, suspicion, and the warring roles we play in adult life. Who do you trust to see the real you?

Made in Dorset.

Cast:

Barbara Smith

Creatives:

Writer – Erin De Frias

Director – Rohan Gotobed

Designer – Layla Bradbeer

Associate Producer – Sophie Janssen

Social media:

Instagram: @dorsetborntheatre

Facebook: @dorsetborntheatre

Website: dorsetborn.co.uk/

Bios:

Dorsetborn:

Dorsetborn creates and tours brand new theatre across the UK. They believe in emerging artists, the ambition of live storytelling, and that everyone deserves high-quality drama, regardless of who they are or where they live.

Led by Artistic Director Rohan Gotobed, since 2022 Dorsetborn have generated 50+ paid opportunities for freelance artists, engaged with over 3500 audience members, and partnered with organisations including Dorset Libraries, National Trust, National Youth Theatre, Lighthouse Poole, and Wessex Museums.

Dorsetborn’s previous productions include ‘Fort’, ‘PRIDE’, and ‘Georgia and the Iceberg’. They have also produced ‘Writing Out Loud’ for Poole Pride in 2024 and 2025.

Erin De Frias:

Erin is a writer from East Anglia, currently based between London and Cornwall. ‘Lessons from Teacher’ is her debut play. It started life as ‘I See You’, a short monologue performed at INK Festival and The Script’s the Thing Festival in 2023. Erin is also working on her first novel.

Rohan Gotobed:

Rohan is the Artistic Director of Dorsetborn, with whom his credits include ‘Fort’ (SW Tour, Theatre 503); ‘PRIDE’ (National Trust), and ‘Georgia and the Iceberg’ (SW Tour). He trained at Birkbeck and the Unicorn Theatre.

Layla Bradbeer:

Layla is Associate Designer of Dorsetborn, designing ‘Fort’ (SW Tour, Theatre 503) and ‘Georgia and the Iceberg’ (SW Tour). She has also worked for MAST Mayflower Studios, Salthouse Arts, and BBC Studios.

Barbara Smith:

Barbara is best known for playing Dana Monroe in ‘EastEnders’. Her other TV credits include ‘Call the Midwife’ and ‘The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox’. This is her professional stage debut.