Following the huge turnout at its Summer School auditions, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre has revealed the brand new creative team for this year's amateur youth theatre production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colours comes to vibrant life in this delightful musical parable. Joseph, his father's favorite son, is a boy blessed with prophetic dreams. When he is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers and taken to Egypt, Joseph endures a series of adventures in which his spirit and humanity are continually challenged.

Directing this year's Summer School spectacular will be John Ward. After training as a theatre director at Rose Bruford College 2005-08, John has gone on to direct numerous productions all over the UK. Currently, he is the artistic director of DumbWise – an award winning, national touring company "at the forefront of Actor Musician work in the UK". With DumbWise John has directed FAUST at Greenwich Theatre and the UK Tour, Nicobobinus for a UK Tour, Twisted Christmas at Liverpool Everyman, and The Matchgirls at Wilton's Music Hall.

As a freelance theatre director John has also enjoyed working with youth theatres across the country, including Theatre Royal Plymouth, Southwark Playhouse, Tobacco Factory Theatres and The Garage, Norwich, and is very much looking forward to working with Stafford Gatehouse Theatre this summer!

Joining John will be musical director David Hewson. David is a composer, musical director and actor-musician. He is the musical director of the actor-musician theatre company DumbWise, for which he has composed original music for FAUST at Greenwich Theatre and the UK Tour, Nicobobinus for a UK Tour, Twisted Christmas at Liverpool Everyman, and The Matchgirls at Wilton's Music Hall.

Since graduating from Rose Bruford college in London he has performed in theatres nationally, including the Gatehouse in the Rock 'n' Roll pantos Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. As composer other recent credits include a commission to write an original score for English National Ballet, for a new short ballet at the Barbican in London to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. David also currently teaches extensively on the actor-musician course at Mountview Academy.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat will take perform at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre from Wednesday, August 16, to Saturday, August 19, at 7.30pm, with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday, August 19. Tickets cost £12, with a family ticket price of £44, and can be purchased from the box office on 01785 619080 or by visiting www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk