Production

Initially, I underestimated the joy in the role of Producing. I couldn’t see the fun in it at all. It seemed to me to be about numbers and foyers, which are two of the aspects of theatre making I find the least interesting. But I now understand the potential of, well, basically curating talent. I love sitting at the outset of a show, envisaging how a particular combination of creatives might shape the particular interpretation, or an unpredictable casting choice might create new meaning for an audience. The idea that new voices which may otherwise remain unheard can be given opportunity excites me no end. I also keenly source sponsorship, funding and underwriting opportunities, from all sorts of unexpected, and slightly more predictable sources.

I have definitely come to understand that the risk and the reward of producing is really cool. I also love working budgets. I am proud to say that I have never run a show at a loss, even in 2020, when I’d fully braced myself to break that streak. And I am even getting better at foyers…