Black Country Touring appoints artistic director as it adopts co-leadership model

GENEVIEVE SAY has been appointed artistic director of Black Country Touring (BCT).

She initially joins the organisation on a part-time basis during a handover period with BCT’s current co-artistic directors, FRANCES LAND and STEVE JOHNSTONE, who will be retiring from the company.

Say will become full time in the autumn and will work alongside BCT executive director MATT ANDREWS in a new co-leadership model.

Say has 20 years’ experience as an independent performer, choreographer and movement director across theatre and dance.

In 2014 she co-founded Birmingham Dance Network, an artist-led organisation supporting the development of professional dance artists, where she was artistic director.

She said: “Black Country Touring is a powerhouse of performance in the region, I can’t wait to get started.

“Frances and Steve have created an incredible legacy which has reached far and wide.

“I’ll be working alongside an immensely strong and committed team, I’m looking forward to building on all the good work and bringing even more joy and creativity to Black Country audiences.”

BCT co-chairs CARLA PRIDDON and IMTIAZ DUNGARWALLA said that Say impressed the interview panel “with her commitment to developing work with communities and celebrating their stories and experiences”.