Dora Colquhoun
Founder of Violet Arts
Hello! Welcome to my page!
My name is Dora Violet Colquhoun. I am a theatre-maker, mover, shaker, clown, and lover of grabbing people out of the audience and getting them to do things! I am also the founder of Violet Arts CIC, but the most important thing you need to know about me is that I love telling stories.
Over the past ten years I have worked with marvellous people on a variety of projects. This has helped me build a toolkit for devising and writing performance. I am passionate about making work that moves people and speaks from the heart. There is often humour and music thrown in for good measure.
I am proudly neurodivergent, and this has strongly shaped my creative practice.
Have a look at some of my past projects…
Snakes Live Here - immersive audio walk at Greenham Common commissioned by 101 Outdoor Arts (2025)
Bicycle Face - solo show on women’s cycling and resistance (in development!) (2025)
ADHD The Musical
Nationally toured verbatim piece on ADHD experiences (2021 - 2025)
This exciting and heartfelt production, which was described as "a beautiful, poignant, moving and incredibly important ride from start to finish" by the Liverpool Theatre Festival, is a journey of self discovery and self acceptance that looks to end the stigma and address common dismissals of ADHD.
The Lodger
A solo show exploring home and belonging (2023 - 2024)
“Funny, melancholy, outrageous and affecting”
-North West End
“Hilarious and devastating”
-Arts City
Additional credits and experiences include…
Since 2025, I have led Violet Arts CIC, championing working-class, neurodivergent, and female-identifying artists. As a solo artist, I have also worked on:
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A short film, commissioned by Culture Liverpool (2025)
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I have been the Resident Artist at Spellow Library (UK) - Read more about this residency here.
ACeSSaBH Festival (Brazil) 2025. See more about this residency here.
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I have been awarded:
DYCP (2022)
Women in Enterprise Grant (2025)