"If you aren’t careful you can been seen as the general dogsbody"

Hometown
My parents are from Barbados and I was born and bred in London

What do you do?
General manager of Paddington Arts

What was your very first role in theatre?
Volunteer at Battersea Arts Centre (BAC)

Have you got qualifications?
GCSEs, A-levels and a degree in English and media studies

What did you do before you worked in theatre?
I have worked as a PA in PR (public relations) and publishing. I have worked on reception at a property company. I have also worked as an assistant to a magazine editor.

How did you make the move to working in theatre?
I did some voluntary work at the BAC around my day job but unfortunately I didn’t secure a permanent position from it. I continued with my admin career in other industries and then my friend told me about the Independent Theatre Council’s Fast Track scheme, placing 14 black and Asian interns with various touring companies and theatres. I applied in September 2006 and was lucky enough to gain a place at Soho Theatre mentored by the general manager, Catherine Thornborrow.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
It varied a lot. A solicitor, an actress, a dancer and a professional tennis player.

What do you do all day?
My job is largely venue management and looking after our finances and operations policies and procedures. There is no such thing as a typical day but depending on what’s going on in the company and whether the part-time administrative assistant is in the office, my job could involve opening and sorting the post, checking and approving invoices and answering room hire enquiries.

I may also have to speak to prospective members who are interested in taking our after-school singing, dance and drama classes. I also am responsible for collating the attendance sheet for monitoring purposes for our funders and organising and minuting the management committee meetings. I collate the staff timesheets ready for the salary run and contact the payroll company to issue payslips. I check the building and liaise with our maintenance worker when necessary. I am also responsible for health and safety and generally make sure that Paddington Arts is complying with current government legislation.

What’s the best thing about your job?
Meeting and working with new organisations

And the worst?
If you aren’t careful you can been seen as the general dogsbody

What’s your dream job in theatre?
I guess artistic director or programming coordinator

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
Get lots of information about your chosen role. Do lots of research on the theatres/ touring companies that you would like to work for. See productions at those venues and write letters of applications to the general manager or volunteer for a period of time. Otherwise, look out for particular training courses. Lots of determination and hard work are needed.