Stage One snaps up Mercury Theatre’s development director

Theatre producers charity Stage One has welcomed ABBI ROBERTS as operations director, as the organisation continues to build on expanding its training and investment programmes.

Roberts, who until now has worked as director of development and communications for Colchester’s Mercury Theatre, said it was a “no-brainer” to join an enterprise dedicated to “championing talent and strengthening our industry”.

In her previous job, Roberts led on the Mercury Rising Project, a £12 million fundraising campaign that sought to transform and modernise the theatre’s spaces and capacity as a producing venue.

She also held roles at youth unemployment charity The King’s Trust and disaster relief organisation ShelterBox.

JOSEPH SMITH, chief executive of Stage One, said: “Abbi’s background in senior roles within regional producing venues, her experience of strategy and campaign management, together with her depth of knowledge on funding structures within the arts, will bring a fresh perspective to Stage One as we enter our 50th year.

“Abbi’s talent and ambition for Stage One very much align with our direction of travel as we expand our work as a national organisation working to support and develop a diverse range of producing talent across the industry.”