"Don’t be afraid to move for a job - you will always make new friends"

Hometown
Darlington

What do you do?
I am freelance and have three main roles:
* Assistant performing arts officer at Darlington Arts Centre
* Project/workshop leader at Steam Shed, a new inclusive theatre company in Darlington
* Leading a youth theatre group at Darlington Arts Centre

How long have you been at it?
For just under a year

What was your very first role in theatre?
A theatre in education (TIE) role as an actress/workshop leader for a company in Southampton. I was involved in a show that toured primary schools in West Sussex and Camden.

What else have you done in theatre?
* Freelance drama practitioner, Darlington Education Village
* Performing arts management intern, Darlington Arts Centre
* Actress/workshop leader, Stopwatch Theatre Company

Have you got qualifications?
* CIM professional diploma in marketing
* A degree in modern drama studies
* Advanced GNVQ performing arts and entertainment industries
* A-level English literature
* 11 GCSEs

What did you do before you worked in theatre?
After I left university I temped for a while and ended up working back at my university organising events and dealing with funding bids. I was offered the job permanently and although it wasn’t a job in theatre, it was fun, exciting and gave me the work experience and responsibility I needed to be able to move into a theatre administration/arts management role.

How did you make the move to theatre?
I realised after 18 months of working there that my career was going down the wrong path and I needed to make the break back into the arts.
I saw an internship position in performing arts management advertised back in my hometown of Darlington. The post was aimed at graduates who wanted to gain their first experience of an arts management role, or professionals who wanted to change career paths to work in arts management.

It was exactly what I needed, and although it meant moving away from a place I liked and where I had friends, I had to apply.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to act or be involved in theatre in some way. Even though I can’t remember the first time I visited a theatre, I have somehow always understood the power of theatre. I played Mary in the nativity play in my playgroup when I was about three, so maybe that was it!

What do you do all day?
I am currently helping Darlington Arts Centre develop as a centre of excellence for young people, including redeveloping the youth theatre, starting a youth membership scheme and youth forum and delivering the Arts Award qualification.

For example, today I started to write a document for all youth theatre members, describing the youth theatre, what young people can expect from it, and what is expected of them. This evening I will be running one of the youth theatre sessions, so I will be planning for that this afternoon.

My role at the arts centre also allows me to go on trips where I can learn things to help me with my job. Last week, for example, I spent three days with Birmingham Rep Youth Theatre, to learn how they run their youth theatre.

My other role is as a project/ workshop leader for Steam Shed, which is an outreach project of Chickenshed, a theatre company in London. There a big chunk of the day involves creatively planning with three other drama practitioners. It’s really nice to plan with other people, as you get to discuss ideas and learn new ways of working. I have also spent six weeks of the past year working in London alongside Chickenshed’s practitioners, to learn about their inclusive creative method.

What’s the best thing about your job?
Inspiring other young people to be creative and achieve, and providing them with opportunities that they might never have experienced before

And the worst?
When people aren’t very supportive of what I’m doing and make my life difficult. There is a real lack of funding in the arts therefore you are never quite sure how projects will be sustained.

What’s your dream job in theatre?
It would have to be performing on stage with a British icon such a Dame Judi Dench or Julie Walters. Or possibly working for a producing theatre company as a director or performer. Who knows! I’m happy with my current jobs though.

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
Just keep persevering and don’t stay in a job if you are not happy. Make sure you take all the opportunities that come your way, and try and keep contact with all your friends. Don’t be afraid to move for a job, you will always make new friends.