Interview: Dannielle ‘Rhimes’ Lecointe

Born and raised in the heart of Stratford, Rhiannon ‘Rhimes’ Faith embodies the fearless, boundary-breaking spirit of East London. A dancer, choreographer, creative director, and mindset coach, she’s spent 25 years shaping stories across stage, screen, and beyond — from the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony to her latest work at ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company, one of the UK’s most innovative dance-theatre collectives.

Now, with Ebony Scrooge, the first-ever Christmas show at Sadler’s Wells East, Rhimes reimagines A Christmas Carol through an East London and Caribbean lens — a celebration of heritage, healing, and community. In this conversation, she talks about the people and places that shaped her, the lessons of burnout and balance, and how she’s helping women and creatives step fully into their power while honouring both ambition and rest.

You were born and raised in East London – how did growing up there shape you as an artist and storyteller?

I might be biased but I believe East is London’s creative hub. I’ve always grown up around people who went first, trying new things and being somewhat of creative rebels. That along with the interesting places and culture of east, I’ve always found it natural to be an artist.

What are some of your strongest memories of East London from your childhood or teenage years?

One that springs to mind is pre-Westfield! Pre the bus garage. We lived in the heart of Stratford and my mum had a white mini. I remember her driving around what used to be the one-way system and going head to head with another mini, and the other driver and her laughing as they drove. We always find something to connect with in east, whether the area, the music, the trainers… we’re good at being connected. I remember the walks to and from school, just the herds of school girls bustling around. I love that feeling.

At what point did you realise that you wanted to work across theatre, choreography and business/mindset coaching?

Dance for me has always been a form of expression. My dad often talks about when I was three years old – me telling him I would be a dancer! So that was pretty early. The coaching, specifically in mindset was always ruminating in empowering people. I mentored from quite young but it wasn’t until my mid-late 20s I started getting into mindset, firstly for myself and then as a business.

With your new show Ebony Scrooge, you’re drawing on your Caribbean heritage and East London roots. How did your personal journey influence the story?

It’s really woven into the story. Christmas was a time with my granny, after she had a stroke in 2009 it wasn’t really the same. She developed dementia and so I became quite a Scrooge to Christmas. The story of A Christmas Carol used to be something we always did, and although I hid from Christmas… I would still make time to watch it. It only felt right to do this story. And the influence of my heritage really came off the back of not ever going to the Caribbean until writing this story.

You’ve worked in high-profile creative roles (theatre, film, TV) — how did those experiences influence your approach to coaching women in business?

I think creativity is really the solution to most things. In thought roles, you learn about people. You see them, especially in high pressure environments. Creativity is quite vulnerable and in that vulnerability you get to discover and create. I spent a lot of time behind the scenes empowering people. For me it’s no different wherever I am. But I think the creative roles helped me to see past what a person does, and look at who a person is.

In your role as Associate Artistic Director at ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company, how do you balance the demands of creative direction/choreography with your coaching work?

Seasonal living, which is what I teach my clients. I’m a multi-hyphenate. I know no other way but it hasn’t been and isn’t always smooth. I do however lean into the season.

My “summer” is filled with creative roles, my “winter” one on one coaching, my “autumn” in-person speaking events. I get to shape what I do when and I think the biggest thing is preparation and being present. It doesn’t feel like a demand, it feels like a choice and I choose how I do it.

You’ve worked across theatre, film, TV and even the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremonies — how did those experiences shape your approach to Ebony Scrooge?

Again, it’s really about people. Working with and collaboration. Just before Ebony I created 4 shows for a cruise line, all of these experiences drop a little gold to help the next phase. The different avenues of choreography, storytelling, screen work, costumes, lyrics – they all help shape you and the work you’re creating.

This is Sadler’s Wells East’s first-ever Christmas show — what does it mean to you to premiere it here, especially being born and raised in East London?

Oh it’s so exciting. I’m so grateful and cannot wait to share this in East London. That’s the icing. I’ve been in this industry for 25 years. To have a show in my hometown and restore the journey of Christmas is beautiful.

How do you hope young audiences and families connect with this story? What do you want them to take away from it?

I want people to know they are accepted. Wherever they’re from. This show is really a tribute to the people who weren’t born here but made home and made a difference to the community. The Windrush generation, Mary Lecointe (my grandmother), the late Teneisha Bonner – it’s for anyone from anywhere who took a brave step to create something different. I want people to know that it’s not Christmas that’s important, but the love we share as communities.

Can you share any memories or traditions from your own family Christmases that informed the show?

Well firstly, we’d watch A Christmas Carol and that’s really the biggest reason for choosing this story. Not all of my family actually celebrate Christmas but we do celebrate family, community and unity and so the coming together of people is a big influence for some of the show.

Many creatives or entrepreneurs struggle with burnout. You mention that you worked so hard you burnt out. How has that experience shaped how you coach others?

It’s a massive influence, I now understand the importance of NOT burning out, and I organise/prepare in order to prevent. It’s something I teach my clients. When we go through things it helps us relate to others, for me as a coach, I’m able to build mini formulas to check in with self and help strategically prevent things like that.

For your coaching clients: what are the biggest mindset shifts you see women needing when they launch or scale their businesses?

Often it’s around self-trust and self-belief, alongside fear of success. Most women think they’re afraid to fail, but often we discover they’re afraid of what they might achieve and how that will change how others might perceive them. The women I work with are naturally ambitious and either they’re surrounded by people ‘kinda’ punching at their weight or they’re around some nowhere near. We all desire to belong, and often scaling, or building your dreams cost you where you’re at. Helping women shift their mindset to go after those dreams is my greatest joy. They then step into their God-given level and realise, that is the place of true peace, success and fulfilment.

If you could go back to your younger self in East London who dreamed of both the stage and business success, what advice would you give?

You’re able to do far greater and go far higher than you currently dream of or imagine, so dream bigger. It’s all going to work out. Never second guess your intuition, you actually know what you’re doing and what you’re sensing cannot be taught, it is an innate part of who you are and with it you are going to change culture.

What’s next for you — creatively (with theatre/choreography) and as a business coach? How do you see the two paths coming together?

I’m currently building a production house with creatives in mind, we’re set on making work that centres black and brown stories across stage, film and television. I’ve been working across theatre and stage, and recently created 4 festivals for a cruise line, we want to make more work in commercial spaces with creative and cultural integrity.

I’m also marrying in the coaching, creating spaces within the business that grow people, develop mindsets and strengthens how people show up.

If you could speak to your younger self in East London, dreaming of a future in dance or theatre – what would you say?

There is more. I just believe we’re in a time where there is so much that can be created.

What are your favourite spots in the area — especially off the beaten track or hidden gems that people might not know about?

There is something about that space outside Theatre Royal Stratford that holds my heart. I have fond memories of so many shows as well as hanging out after school. There’s a hidden basketball court I used to play in nearer to Maryland. These spots for me are a reminder of where I’m from and that playing and fun make up a great deal of life. We’re all big kids deep inside and I think we have to remember, that is where creativity thrives.

@rhimesthecreative

DON’T MISS Ebony Scrooge, running at Sadler’s Wells East from 26 November 2025 to 4 January 2026.

TICKETS: sadlerswells.com

Sadler’s Wells, Stratford – 101 Carpenters Rd, Stratford Cross, London E20 2AR