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Jobs I Did Before Going It Alone...

 

Here’s the places I worked before I set out on the freelance road. They all taught me a whole bunch of stuff, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without that time and experience.

 

Women & Theatre (Project Manager)

Women & Theatre are a brilliant Birmingham based company. I spent 3 wonderful years working with a massive range of partners, on a vast array of projects. W&T was founded over 28 years ago by a clever group of women, and the fabulous Janice Connolly (AKA Mrs Barbara Nice) still heads the ship as Artistic Director.

 

We did so many projects, it’s impossible to list all the benefits and wonders, but some of my favourites are:

 

  • Tuned In – a radio drama project working with a mixed group of inner city and visually impaired young people, culminating with recording and broadcasting with BBC Radio

  • The Palace of Wasted Dreams – a musical theatre performance, with a community cast exploring the relationship women have with alcohol

  • The Community Comedy Club – working across a range of settings including resdiential homes, community centres, hospitals and more to run comedy courses culminating in public events, with participants sharing material with audiences, and professional headline acts.

 

The Drum (Programmer)

The Drum is ‘the UKs premier black-led arts centre’ based in the heart of Aston, Birmingham. I spent 2 years programming a wide range of work there including theatre, music, dance, spoken word, film, visual arts and more.

Programming in such a specific context taught me a great deal about audiences. I also developed some excellent national contacts.

 

Fierce Earth (Project Coordinator)

Fierce Earth as a company no longer exists. It was the brain child of the genius that is Mr Mark Ball (currently residing as Artistic Director of LIFT). Fierce Earth was the partner company to Fierce! Festival. It has a new lease of life under the amazing Helga Henry now, as Creative Shift.

 

During a whirlwind year there I project managed the decibel 2007 Showcase in Birmingham, supported the legendary Fierce! 10 Festival, as well as Architecture Week and the Mirage Film Festival.

 

The relationships developed, and learning gathered during that year was phenomenal. I was lucky. It set me up nicely.

 

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (Admin Assistant)

BMAG is run by Birmingham City Council, and gave me a valuable insight into the inner workings of local government. I worked with the Intepretation and Exhibitions team, a busy 14 strong team, managing all the temporary exhibitions and activities.

 

Derby Dance Centre (Duty Manager)

Derby Dance Centre (now Deda) is a dedicated dance house in the East Midlands. Fresh out of uni, and as green as they get I paid my dues and spent my time working on box office, eventually making my way to Duty Manager.

 

Lucky for me I actually met a couple of really brilliant people there, who I still have the pleasure of working with today.

 

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