"Volunteering in a front of house role is the best way to get experience"

Hometown
Originally from Derby, now living in Nottingham

What do you do?
Theatre manager, Nottingham Playhouse

What was your very first role in theatre?
Trainee theatre manager, Palace Theatre, Manchester

What else have you done in theatre?
* Front of house manager, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-Under-Lyme
* House manager, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
* Assistant manager, Her Majesty’s Theatre
* Assistant manager, Palace Theatre, Manchester

Have you got qualifications?
* Currently working towards an MBA (a really well respected business qualification) at Derby University
* A history degree

What did you do before you worked in theatre?
After leaving university I worked for eight months as a waitress

How did you make the move to theatre?
I saw a job advertisement in The Guardian. Apollo Leisure was looking for trainee theatre managers. I applied for the job thinking I would never get it and nearly 11 years later I am still here.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
I had always taken part in drama groups and was always the lead in school plays, but I didn’t ever really want to be an actor. At school I had a week’s work placement at Derby Playhouse, and although I spent the week stuffing envelopes, it gave me an insight into how a theatre runs and the varied roles involved.

What do you do all day?
I have one of the largest departments in the theatre, incorporating front of house, house-keeping, stage door and maintenance. I am also the point of contact and event co-ordinator for theatre and conference hires. One day I can be project managing building work and the next I can be organising a large-scale hire.

What’s the best thing about your job?
It’s always great when an audience leaves the theatre buzzing about the play they have seen. It sounds very trite, but being able to play a role in creating a fantastic evening out for someone is very rewarding.

And the worst?
The wages

What’s your dream job in theatre?
I am aiming to be general manager of a venue

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
Get as much experience as you can within the industry. The best way of doing this is volunteering in a front of house role at your local theatre. Build up your CV wherever you can.