Experienced Licensed Child Chaperone and Administrator

December 2025

 We worked with Denise on Macbeth and she was a crucial member of the team. She is an expert in her field and gave us guidance which was not only bespoke for our needs but that also followed industry standards, procedures and best practice. Denise supported throughout the project from casting, licensing and the recruitment and management of chaperones. All the chaperones she provided us were excellent and Denise herself is an outstanding chaperone. I especially appreciate Denise's clear and concise communication. The children, guardians and their agents we worked with had a positive experience which can largely be attributed to Denise's work. 

If you are working with children on a theatrical project, I highly recommend Denise in any capacity - for administrative support or chaperoning. 

{ Ellen Larson  - Assistant Producer for English Touring Theatre }

November 2025

The old theatre adage goes that you should never work with children or animals. Well if Denise Smith is involved in a production you know working with children will always be a pleasure, and never a chore. Her warmth and kindness, efficiency and professionalism is second to none. 

I first worked with Denise on a production of BOY at the Almeida Theatre in 2015. This was a large cast play including many children and young people. We had two teams of children performing on alternate days and Denise was superb at managing each and every one of them - always with a smile on her face and a brilliant sense of humour. 

I’ve since worked with Denise on The Hunt (also at the Almeida) and on Macbeth (for Wessex Grove), and I would recommend her in a heartbeat. With Denise on the show you know you’re in safe hands. 

[ Dan Ayling - freelance director & company stage manager ]

November 2025

I have worked with Denise as head chaperone on Nativity! The Musical for three consecutive seasons.  Denise is super experienced, extremely professional and has a natural caring instinct with a down to earth common sense and a highly tuned sense of responsibility. 

With a show like Nativity! Children are at the heart of the production and Denise has proved time and again why she is the best in the business. From national touring to extended residencies I would highly recommend her services.

[ Debbie Isitt - Writer/Director Nativity! The Musical ]

November 2025

I worked with Denise over the summer of 2025 on a large scale, pop up show which had a cast that included 47 children between the ages of 9 and 16. We had two teams of children performing outdoors on a large stage for an audience of 1800 throughout the summer at Hever Castle. Denise came highly recommended by my Company and Stage Managers and following an interview, I appointed her as my Head Chaperone. Denise worked incredibly hard, with extraordinary precision. She hired a brilliant team and managed them with warmth and rigour. Denise is a brilliant, confident problem solver - she was always ahead of potential issues, she communicated with speed and attention to detail and despite a very challenging set of production parameters, she made everyone feel safe and seen. She worked with us to create a system for a show which had no infrastructure, looking for savings where possible and constantly monitoring and adjusting as we built a large scale show from scratch. The children adored and respected her and her team - they were supported and held throughout the run of the show which was outdoors, with temporary facilities and a steep learning curve for all. Denise navigated a complex, changeable project with skill, patience, flexibility and transparency.

I loved working with Denise - she’s charismatic, upbeat, totally committed and a brilliant collaborator.

Pippa Hill - Line Producer 

Anne Boleyn the Musical at Hever Castle

November 2025 - MIDNIGHT 2025 Workshop

We were incredibly fortunate to have Denise join the Midnight team at short notice - and from the moment she arrived, she was nothing short of amazing. Her professionalism, warmth, and calm presence was very appreciated. Denise quickly built trust with our young performers, ensuring they felt supported, safe, and confident at every step. Denise went above and beyond in every way, and we couldn’t have asked for a better addition to the team. We would work with her again in a heartbeat. 

[ Emily Obasohan, General Manager ]

November 2025

Denise has been providing Chaperones for our youth productions at Sharpe Academy for several years. Everyone Denise has sent along is always professional, on time and excellent at looking after the children in their care. I would highly recommend Denise and her team should any local Dance or Theatre schools require professional chaperones.

[ Daniel Sharpe - Principal Sharpe Academy }

September 2025

We had the privilege of working with Denise Smith during a 2025 Summer production at the The Globe, where our son was playing a role in The Merry Wives of Windsor. From the word go she was professional, clear and fair in all her communications with us and with our son. This led to him having the most enjoyable run imaginable; he felt safe, happy and had very clear expectations throughout the production. Denise was caring, thoughtful and so easy to approach with everything that was on our minds as parents, from practicalities to sensitive personal matters. I would love our son to have the chance to work with her again as, from extensive experience of the industry, working with a strong chaperone can make or break the experience. Denise is definitely in the former category and made this experience a life-lasting fond memory for us all.

[ Sue Shaw - Mother ]

September 2025

Reference for Denise Smith – Senior Chaperone for Children in Theatre.

Denise has worked extensively as a Senior Chaperone for children in theatre. Her professionalism, dedication, and depth of knowledge make her an outstanding asset to any production.

Denise is exceptional in every aspect of her role. She has an in-depth understanding of child licensing and the legal frameworks that govern working with young people in performance settings. Her ability to manage these responsibilities with precision and calm authority ensures that both the children and the production team are always in safe, compliant hands.

She is consistently professional in her dealings with producers, company members, parents, and - most importantly - the young performers themselves. She maintains a calm, approachable manner under pressure, and always brings a smile and a positive energy to every situation.

Her communication skills are second to none. She is clear, concise, and kind, ensuring that everyone involved feels informed and supported. Her scheduling and logistical coordination are meticulous, and she leads her chaperone teams with both humour and authority, earning their complete respect and commitment.

Denise always creates an environment that is safe, nurturing, and highly efficient. Her ability to balance the emotional and legal responsibilities of her role is a rare and invaluable quality in this industry.

I recommend her without hesitation for any production requiring a Senior Chaperone. She is, quite simply, brilliant at what she does.

[ Ruth Morgan - Freelance Stage & Company Manager ]

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CHAPERONE FEEDBACK

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November 2025

I have known and worked with Denise Smith for almost ten years. Throughout that time, I have found Denise to be the ultimate professional. She has a comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of child welfare, an exceptionally high level of understanding of theatre procedures, and she offers unwavering support to her chaperones. Her interaction with parents is always warm, respectful, and effective. Above all, her honesty and work ethic shine through everything she does.

I first met Denise when she was my Head Chaperone on my first tour of Nativity! The Musical. She served as both the Children’s Administrator and the Head Chaperone for the entire tour. I had never worked in theatre before and was extremely nervous at the start. During those early days, Denise supported me immensely and gave me so much confidence. I was also incredibly impressed with the relationships she built across every area of the production—from the producer to the cast, the crew, the parents, and of course, the children. Having someone with her level of knowledge and respect helped bond the team together and made it possible for us to work successfully on the second and third tours of the show.

Outside of work, Denise is always there if I have an issue I need to discuss. She always has time for people, and over the years has demonstrated this by helping me immensely in various concerns that I have had to deal with.

Over the years, it has been one of my greatest pleasures to work with and get to know Denise. I cannot recommend her services highly enough.

[ Tony Gellman - Tutor/Chaperone ]

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October 2012

Denise chaperoned my son for six months and I truly can not fault the service she provided, she was perfect in every way.

[ Antonia Enthoven - MOTHER ]

October 2012

I was very lucky to have Denise chaperone my son at the National Theatre last year.  I can say without shadow of a doubt, that Denise is professional, trustworthy and very easy to communicate with.  She was like a second mother to my son, kind and caring, yet strong and in control.  She also knows how to look after the parents!  It was a pleasure to spend time with Denise.

[ Susan Fritsche - MOTHER ]

November 2011

I cannot recommend Denise highly enough as a child chaperone.  Denise has chaperoned my son for several theatre productions and is one of the nicest chaperones he has ever worked with. Combining the right blend of professionalism, trustworthiness, reliability, flexibility, discipline, responsibility and fun.  Denise helps make even the longest or most demanding productions a fantastic and enjoyable experience for the children she looks after.  She treats everyone with great respect, especially children, and as a result she is highly respected within the profession, by the young actors and by their parents.  Both my son and our family now consider her a great friend.  Denise is always accommodating and very supportive.  Because of all these great qualities, she is the first person to call when we need a chaperone.

[ Amanda Farrant - MOTHER ]

October 2011

Denise Smith has been the main chaperone at YAT Management for over 4 years, and is always reliable, professional and flexible; vital attributes for a professional chaperone and qualities that have made our role as agents so much easier. She is a personable and likeable, hardworking individual with a wealth of experience and knowledge and a positive can do attitude.  I would have no hesitation recommending Denise whatsoever.

[ Dyana Daulby - Child Actors Agent at Young Actors Theatre Management ]

Autumn 2010

Denise was one of my son's chaperones on the movie Neverland in Autumn 2010, which was filmed in Italy and Ireland.  Unlike some other chaperone jobs, this involved overseas travel as well as being on duty 24 hours living in hotel accommodation in circumstances where pretty much the other children had a parent with them. It was also my son's first job away from home.

I have had experience of a number of chaperones and Denise is one of the best.  I could not rate her highly enough.  She is a total professional, understands her role, and clearly loves her work.  This was a demanding job in so many ways, and Denise instinctively understood that, doing everything to ensure that my son was happy, eating well, working well, getting enough sleep, doing his school work etc.  But as an experienced and obviously very good parent, Denise was brilliant as 'loco parentis' - not an easy job when it's 24 hours a day with a 13 year old you have only just met.  I was totally relaxed when she was chaperoning my son, as he was.

I have had experience of a number of chaperones and Denise is one of the best.  I could not rate her highly enough.  She is a total professional, understands her role, and clearly loves her work.  This was a demanding job in so many ways, and Denise instinctively understood that, doing everything to ensure that my son was happy, eating well, working well, getting enough sleep, doing his school work etc.  But as an experienced and obviously very good parent, Denise was brilliant as 'loco parentis' - not an easy job when its 24 hours a day with a 13 year old you have only just met.  I was totally relaxed when she was chaperoning my son, as he was.

Can we not clone her?

[ Celia Grace (Mother of Thomas Patten) ]

2010

I met Denise Smith on set when my 14yr old son, Charlie, was filming Neverland in Dublin in 2010. I observed her taking great care of the children she was responsible for and liaising very professionally with the production Company and the other parents on set.

During the shoot we needed a chaperone to accompany our son as he travelled between Ireland and London. I had absolutely no hesitation in asking Denise if she would do this.  We found her totally dependable and hugely experienced in managing the very many different expectations.

Charlie found her caring, fair and great fun to be around. Just the combination you want when trusting another adult with your child! 

We both enjoyed her company and we are still in touch. Denise would be our first port of call if we needed a chaperone again.

[ Sara Milne Rowe (Mother of Charlie Rowe) ]