In the lead up to Once Upon a Time in Sokoto going on tour, as the first production from Touring Together - a new national touring initiative led by China Plate and Fuel – we are introducing each of the 5 Local Engagement Specialists (LES) who are embedded in each of the venue partner locations.
We’re delighted to announce Rachael Mills, as the Local Engagement Specialist at Leeds Playhouse. Rachael will be our local eyes and ears, connecting communities to Once Upon a Time in Sokoto and the Touring Together programme.
Rachael Mills is a community producer, creative entrepreneur, event organiser, singer and passionate advocate for using arts and culture to bring people together. Based in Leeds, she has spent more than a decade creating opportunities that celebrate community, champion diverse voices and support local businesses.
As Operational Manager at the Black Health Initiative, Rachael has led community projects spanning health, wellbeing, youth engagement and major cultural events. She has also played a key role in delivering the Leeds Black Music Festival, helping to honour and evolve one of the city’s longest-running celebrations of Black music and culture while ensuring it continues to connect with new generations.
Alongside her charity work, Rachael is the founder of Mahogany Market, a thriving platform that showcases Black-owned businesses and independent traders from across the UK. What started as a marketplace has grown into a vibrant community that champions entrepreneurship, collaboration and representation, while introducing thousands of visitors to exceptional local businesses.
She is also the owner of Rae of Sunshine Events, a family entertainment business specialising in candyfloss, popcorn and chocolate fountain experiences. From school fairs and community celebrations to corporate events with brands including Harvey Nichols and PrettyLittleThing, Rachael believes every event deserves a little extra joy.
Tell us a little about yourself and your connection to Leeds.
I’m Rachael Mills, a community producer, events organiser and creative based in Leeds. I’ve spent over a decade bringing people together through music, culture and community events, and I’m passionate about creating opportunities for people to connect, celebrate and feel represented.
Leeds has always been home. It’s where I’ve raised my family, built my career and developed projects that support local communities. Whether through festivals, markets or creative programmes for young people, my work has always been about making arts and culture feel accessible to everyone
What drew you to becoming involved in Touring Together and, this first year, on Once Upon a Time in Sokoto?
I actually heard about the opportunity from Hannah, the Director of Audiences at Leeds Playhouse, who thought I’d be a good fit for the role. I’m already very involved in my local community through my work, and both my daughter and I are regular visitors to Leeds Playhouse, so it felt like a really natural opportunity when it came up.
Although I haven’t seen the production yet, everything I’ve learned about Once Upon a Time in Sokoto has really intrigued me. I’m really looking forward to seeing it come to life in rehearsals and experiencing the story for myself. From what I’ve heard, it promises to be a vibrant celebration of storytelling, culture and identity, and I’m excited to help introduce audiences across Leeds to it.
What excites you most about bringing this production to audiences in Leeds?
Leeds is one of the most diverse cities in the UK, with people from so many different backgrounds and cultures. I’m excited for audiences to experience a story that celebrates heritage while exploring themes that are universal—family, belonging, identity and tradition.
I also hope it encourages people who may never have considered theatre before to give it a try and discover that there really is something for everyone.
What makes your local community unique, and what stories or conversations do you think are important here right now?
For me, what makes Leeds unique is how friendly and welcoming it is. I run an events business called Mahogany Market, and we regularly bring traders and small businesses from all over the UK to Leeds. One thing they always tell me is how warm the welcome is and how genuinely positive their interactions are with people here. In fact, one of our traders from the South enjoyed coming here so much that they eventually decided to move to Leeds.
I think one of the most important conversations we can keep having is about staying curious and open to cultures that may be different from our own. There’s so much we can learn, unlearn, and be inspired by when we take the time to listen to each other’s stories. Cities like Leeds are at their best when we embrace that diversity and see it as something that brings us together.
What would you say to someone who doesn’t usually go to the theatre about why they should come and experience Once Upon a Time in Sokoto?
I’d say give it a chance. You don’t have to be a “theatre person” to enjoy theatre. If you love a good story, then you’re already halfway there.
There are so many incredible stories that never make it to our TV screens or the cinema, and theatre is such a powerful, universal way for people to experience them. It allows us to step into someone else’s world for a couple of hours, to laugh, reflect, and see life from a different perspective.
For me, Once Upon a Time in Sokoto is exactly the kind of production that makes me curious. I don’t know the story yet, and that’s what excites me. I’m looking forward to discovering something new, and I hope other people feel the same. We all have something to learn from stories and cultures that are different from our own, and theatre is one of the best places to do that. You never know—it might be the first show you see, but it definitely won’t be the last.
Favourite local place
One place that really reflects my connection to Leeds is Chapeltown. It’s where so much of my community work has taken place and where I’ve seen first-hand the power of people coming together through music, food, creativity and celebration. It’s a neighbourhood full of culture, history and resilience.
A local recommendation
If you’re spending time in Leeds, I’d highly recommend checking out Soul in the City at Domino Club. It’s a hidden live music venue tucked away in the basement behind a retro barbershop, and discovering it feels like you’re being let in on one of the city’s best-kept secrets.
I’ve been twice, and both times I’ve been completely blown away by the talent. The evening features an open mic alongside performances from a featured artist, and the standard is incredible. There’s such a supportive atmosphere, and because it’s such an intimate venue, every performance feels raw, authentic, and genuinely special. It’s one of those experiences that reminds you just how much amazing talent Leeds has to offer.
