Chris Taylor charts her career from a drama youth worker to Director of New Writing South.
Director of New Writing South (2001 to present)
Founding and leading NWS has brought together the many different layers of experience I have gained throughout my career. The company was born in my living room and now, as the regional new writing and literature development agency working across the South East of England, employs six staff based in its Brighton office and has its own small venue for events: The Writers’ Place. NWS is Arts Council England-funded, but works in a mixed economy. We raise 70% of our total income from earnings, donations and other fundraising activities.
We work with hundreds of creative writers from all genres – from poets to playwrights and from authors to bloggers, helping to develop craft and create opportunities. Our work inspires thousands of young writers every year both in schools and in informal settings, and we develop audiences with a myriad of writer-led events.
MA student, University of Sussex (1999-2001)
I moved from London to Brighton to write, and spent a couple of years at Sussex University taking my MA in Creative Writing and Education. I also had a couple of my own plays performed during this time.
Arts Publicist (1987–1999)
I loved being an arts publicist. I did a couple of years at the National Theatre as their touring publicist before starting my own company, Chris Taylor Publicity. It started in the old Albany Empire but soon moved into London’s West End, where I employed five staff. We worked with some amazing artists on some groundbreaking projects. I started freelancing with English National Ballet on a Michael Clark/Leigh Bowery programme and English Shakespeare Company on tours of Henry IV and V. Other long-term clients included Paines Plough, Temba, Greenwich Theatre, Black Theatre Co-Op and The Young Vic. We worked with so many new writing companies and it was during this time that my passion for new theatre writing really developed.
Publicity and Marketing (1981–1987)
I started as an assistant at Fairfield Halls in Croydon under Michael Tearle – a wonderful man who taught me so much about the business and running a venue. I moved to Cambridge Theatre Company, then led by Bill Pryde and Linda Farren, as Head of Publicity. What was brilliant about working for a middle-scale touring company was the travelling and the huge number of people I worked with throughout the country.
Pub Theatre Manager (1979–1981)
A chance meeting in a pub led to me co-managing The New Inn Theatre, a small pub theatre in Ealing, West London. The job put me on my steepest learning curve to date – my role included booking shows, casting our own shows, stage management, box office and front of house, and even acting (yes, I originally trained as an actor).
Teacher and Drama Youth Worker (1976–1979)
What I remember most about teaching is the frazzled atmosphere in the staff room on a Friday afternoon, when fellow teachers would hand round the valium. I did enjoy teaching, especially my time as a drama youth worker, helping the young people to write, make and produce their own plays. But I never underestimate how hard a job it is.
Chris Taylor is Director of New Writing South.
www.newwritingsouth.com
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