ArtsProfessional reveals the career paths of the sector?s senior managers
Artistic Director, International Workshop Festival, (from 2002)
The Arts Council set the festival up 18 years ago to influence UK theatre practice by bringing the best practitioners from overseas to run classes and workshops. It?s the best job in the world: searching the globe for artists to bring to London in the autumn and Brighton in the spring. Yoshi Oida, Mladen Materic, Ken Campbell and so many others I have long admired have run workshops for me since I took over the helm at the Festival. This year?s programmehas featured a wonderful group called Kwoto from the Sudan and the Queen of Burlesque, Miss Indigo Blue, from the States: a heady mix.
Senior Lecturer, University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa (1999?2002)
I?d just been finishing a PhD at Middlesex University when I was asked to set up a drama programme at the University on the eastern Cape of South Africa and run projects and workshops in New Brighton and other townships. And it was the greatest experience of my life: creating work, teaching and working alongside Winston Ntshona and others. I love South Africa; only being head-hunted by the International Workshop Festival would lure me back to London.
Artistic Director, theatre nomad (1993?ongoing)
This is a theatrical caravanserai, making shows around the world (from devised work to Shakespeare) and touring the globe. I hardly ever seem to be home. We?ve been everywhere from Canada to Hong Kong, with the Udmurt Republic in between. Performers from around the world, touring the world. Whatever else happens I don?t see myself giving this up.
Project Director, Shared Experience Theatre (1990?1993)
I was General Manager when Mike Alfreds was leading the company in the 1970s, and then I returned to run the workshop and community programme. A wonderful opportunity to create extraordinary work, especially the big performance in Hyde Park with Jane Turner.
Co-Director, Dixon & Dart (1981?1990)
This is the life! I was working with the fantastic designer Paul Dart to create open-air theatre spectacles around the country: South Hill Park, Brewhouse Taunton, Swan Worcester, and happy summers in Aberystwyth and Deal. It all climaxed with a commission from Dublin ?European City of Culture? with a show that brought the city to a halt.
Arts Journalism, Shared Experience, Almeida Theatre, The Phantom Captain (1975?1981)
What an exciting time to be working in the arts. I didn?t know which ladder I should be on so I tried them all, producing with the surreal Phantom Captain, writing articles, helping set up a new theatre in Islington (hope it takes off), general managing Shared Experience.
Director, Barnet Centre Action Group (1973?1975)
I?d just left school and fancied a job in the arts. So much was happening that anything was possible, even setting up a pub theatre in north London. Maybe one day the venue will move down to Finchley and call itself the Arts Depot!