Touring theatre company gains five fresh trustees

A children’s theatre company has appointed five trustees, including a stage manager, the Lowry’s head of development, a senior consultant, and the founder of education and cultural organisation Black Deaf UK.

Tutti Frutti Productions, based in Leeds, welcomes the new recruits from “across the cultural and educational landscapes”, as the company continues to tour its show Hare and Tortoise in the United States.

A programmer at Sheffield Theatres, LAURA BLOOR has worked in marketing and communications roles at theatres across Yorkshire.

SHIRLEY LUNDSTRAM is head of development at Salford-based arts centre, the Lowry, with expertise in partnerships and fundraising, while LYNDSEY GARDINER trained in stage management and has, since 2019, led the Production Arts foundation degree at University Centre Leeds.

JHARDINE FARRELL is a senior consultant working at the “intersection of education, culture, and the arts”. MARESIA LIBURD-SPENCER, meanwhile, has some 20 years’ experience in working with deaf children and families, advocates for accessible theatre, and founded Black Deaf UK.

Artistic director at Tutti Frutti, WENDY HARRIS, who marks two decades at the company, said she was “thrilled” to appoint the trustees.

“They bring a wealth of knowledge from across the cultural and educational landscapes,” she said, “insight that will be vital as we grow and continue our mission of creating fantastic theatre for children everywhere.”