Former Punchdrunk Enrichment boss to head up Bristol Old Vic

REBECCA DAWSON is to join Bristol Old Vic as its new executive director and co-chief executive, succeeding CHARLOTTE GEEVES, who stepped down in the summer after six years to join National Ballet of Canada.

Currently working as a strategic consultant focusing on “future visioning”, financial modelling and organisational fitness for purpose, Dawson will take up her new role in January 2026.

Dawson served for eight years as executive director and joint chief executive of immersive entertainment pioneer Punchdrunk Enrichment until last year. Before that she led Candoco Dance Company and held various roles at Arts Council England, including senior project manager for their London 2012 Cultural Programme and relationship manager for dance in London.

She has been a trustee and chair of the International Society of Performing Arts.

Dawson said she was “incredibly excited” by Bristol Old Vic’s mission to tell “diverse and brilliant stories and to support new creative voices,” calling artistic director NANCY MEDINA’s vision to create a creative organisation that serves the whole community “utterly compelling”.

“I jumped at the chance to work alongside her and the team in its realisation,” said Dawson. “I’m really looking forward to getting started”.

Bristol Old Vic’s chair, BERNARD DONOGHUE, said that after interviewing an “exceptionally strong field of candidates”, he looked forward to “the passion, enthusiasm, experience and achievements” that Dawson will bring to the organisation.

“She has a proven track record in delivering impactful, important and influential work at Punchdrunk Enrichment; a demonstrable commitment to inclusivity and diversity, noticeably at Candoco; a passion for community engagement and learning opportunities; and clear achievements in commercially successful programming,” he said.

“Rebecca and Nancy’s leadership of the next chapter in our history, starting in our 260th year, will be a hugely exciting time”.