Company profiles

I spent a lot of my teens in the Gods at Bristol Old Vic and I remember the satisfaction of spending 3 shillings to see the same play as the moneyed ranks in the stalls. One performance of The Seagull stands out in my mind: I understood for the first time that we were all, actors and audience, creating the magic together. I was never good at acting so I hadn’t considered working in theatre until I discovered how many different jobs there are to be done in organising and preparing shows. Now I get a huge thrill from helping to create magical experiences and lasting memories for today’s young audience members.

The first play I was ever in was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I played one of the dwarfs, I didn’t have any lines, and I lost my hat just before the performance. I was only four years old but I was spell-bound at the amazing experience of being involved in a play. 

I love theatre because I love storytelling, and telling stories is one of society’s most ancient and treasured things. Everyone can be involved in theatre because it brings people together and enables people to tell the stories they want to tell.

I always loved acting but struggled at remembering my lines so I took an interest in the other sides of the world of theatre. I have had a range of roles including; artistic director, writer, director, producer, programmer, finance manager, workshop leader, stage manager, deputy stage manager, assistant stage manager, costume designer, set designer, lighting designer, sound designer, marketer, usher, journalist, reviewer, evaluator and documenter. You could do any of that too.

From an early age I was the archetypal drama queen. I desperately wanted to be on the stage but ended up training as a teacher instead lured by the promise of long holidays. Through various career changes I ended up in arts administration. As General Manager I take responsibility for making sure the business side of the company is run well. I have an overview of business planning, finance, personnel and certain aspects of marketing. This is certainly a role which demands flexibility and the ability to multi-task. I am often ‘plugging holes’ whilst 'spinning plates' at the same time. One week I could be driving the van, running a workshop, mending a computer or recruiting new personnel. It’s certainly never dull.

My role is to ensure the smooth financial and administrative running of Travelling Light. I prepare budgets, reports and more importantly ensure everyone is paid on time. I am mostly office based, but occasionally I am let out for good behaviour to see shows and even ran around with some anarchic clowns in the sofa project for one of our youth theatre projects. I also play a part in fundraising for our Youth Theatres; raising extra money is always on my agenda.

As Production Manager I am responsible for all the technical aspects of our productions & for ensuring that everything runs as smoothly as possible for the company while in rehearsals & on tour.  This involves a lot of liaising with people, which is a part of my job that I really enjoy.  I am the link person between the different areas of the creative team.  I manage the budget, employ freelancers to work on making our productions & make sure that everything is ready in time for the first performance.  When the company are touring I liaise with the Theatre Technicians & the schools over all the arrangements for our visit to them & work with the touring Stage Manager to manage the day to day running of the tour.  What I love about my job is that it is very hands on & extremely varied.  I could be checking time sheets one day, drawing up a lighting plan the next & inventing a way of turning a rubbish bin into a rocket the next.  It’s great.  I am always on the lookout for willing volunteers, so if you can knit, sew, make things, paint, wire a plug or just lift heavy bits of set, beware......!