Class of 2025: Kraken Theatre takes centre stage

For four Drama students at Essex, the university became more than just a place to study - it was where creativity, opportunity, and a shared passion for theatre came together to shape their future.

BA Drama students Emma Kopf (BA Drama and Scriptwriting), Lauren “Lolly” Taylor (BA Drama and Literature), Corey Lee (BA Drama), and Tyler Reuben (BA Drama and Film) have created original productions, led student societies, and built a theatre company that’s opened doors to postgraduate study and professional creative careers.

Kraken Theatre Company began when the four students collaborated on a production for the Lakeside Theatre’s Homegrown Season.

What started as a student-led project quickly grew into a recognised name on campus - producing original work, winning creative awards, and even taking shows to the Camden Fringe Festival. Kraken was never about building a brand.

As Corey puts it: “We didn’t start Kraken to build an empire - we just wanted to make theatre together. But the more we worked, the more we realised how much we could achieve as a team.”

Through hands-on experiences, supportive tutors, and a vibrant campus arts scene, Essex gave them everything they needed for Kraken to grow and thrive. Their first production, Betrayal, directed by Emma and co-directed by Lolly, brought the team together.

From there, they formalised their collaboration, naming their company Kraken after a track by grime artist Mr. Traumatic.

As Emma recalls, “We toyed with other names, but Kraken stuck - it felt bold, a bit chaotic, and uniquely ours.”

Each member brought a unique skill set to the group.

Emma, an international student from Hungary, specialised in scriptwriting and directing. Lolly and Corey were drawn to performance and acting, while Tyler discovered his passion for directing through the course and the extra-curricular opportunities Essex provided.

Tyler says: “The course was great, but it was everything around it - student theatre, societies, festivals - that really shaped who we are now.”

Alongside Kraken, all four students were deeply involved in the Theatre Arts Society (TAS), with several holding leadership roles.

They credit TAS at Essex with giving them the space to learn, fail, and grow without the pressure of perfection.

“Kraken gave us professional focus, while TAS gave us space to just have fun and try new things,” said Lolly.

“Both were essential.”

The company’s creative output was prolific. From SpaceEater for the ReWrite festival which went on to Camden, to Decree of Nullity and Creator is Present, Kraken challenged conventional formats and gave student theatre a fresh, original voice.

Now graduating, each member is heading in a new direction. Emma and Corey are set to begin MA Acting programmes at drama schools including Mountview and East 15.

For Lolly its “East 15, baby!” for an MA in Acting, and Tyler is returning to London to pursue theatre directing full-time.

Though Kraken’s members will be in different places, the spirit of collaboration, creativity and trust they built at Essex will stay with them.

“It’s not just that we’re friends - we really believe in each other’s work,” said Emma.

“Kraken gave us the confidence to create without waiting for permission.”

For this group of graduates, Essex wasn’t just a place to study - it was where they learned how to build something together.