ArtsProfessional reveals the career path of Phil Mead
Arts & Business Specialist and Board Trustee of Rhubarb Theatre Company
(2007-to date)
In my current freelance role, I offer businesses a package of workshops and courses to improve communication skills, helping people gain confidence with presentations and public speaking. In addition I lecture at universities on subjects such as, starting up an arts business, devising theatre and, theatre in education. Being a Trustee of Rhubarb Theatre, enables me to support and advise on its artistic direction, which I see as my biggest success to date. My future ambition is to produce my own film.
Artistic Director, Rhubarb Theatre Company, Lincolnshire (20002007)
Rhubarb was founded in 2000 to bring original live theatre to primary-aged children across the UK. Realising that there was so much average childrens theatre out there, we wanted to create something visually amazing, imaginative and innovative. We wanted to bring theatre into areas of rural isolation and social deprivation where many children would otherwise never see live theatre. We wanted to give children a theatrical experience that did not patronise, but rather stimulated minds without forcing issues at them. Since 2000, Rhubarb has delivered about 3,000 drama workshops to 100,000 children. The company started touring in 2004, and has performed 500 shows to an estimated 90,000 children.
Community Performing Arts Manager, Lindsey School & Community Arts College
(20032004)
This was my first real opportunity to make a positive arts impact on communities across the East of England. I had the freedom to create and manage a whole range of community arts projects, including an annual percussion bash for children to perform in shopping centres, evening courses for musicians and actors, and most importantly bringing schools closer together to produce joined-up arts celebrations. Lindsey is a great school located in a socially deprived area of the country. Working here I got to meet a community of people desperately wanting to engage more in the arts.
Arts Practitioner, freelance (19982003)
Delivering drama and music workshops in schools across the country, I gained lots of excellent experience, and pinched lots of creative ideas from other artists. I learned never to miss an opportunity to watch other professionals work as it can revolutionise the way you think in the future.
Actor (19882007)
Acting will always be my first passion, despite having been through periods of unemployment. I have worked with some excellent theatre companies, gaining lots of experience as a performer and director. My drama degree studies really focused my work towards community arts which I have followed throughout my career.