01 Mar 2016
Client: Theatre by the Lake, Cumbria Theatre Trust
Brief: To develop audience development schemes to provide opportunities for non-tradiitonal audiences such young people, families, older people with memory problems and dementia and adults and children with additional needs.
Description: A regional producing theatre based in Keswick, Cumbria, engaged my services over a four year period to devise, manage and promote new access and audience development schemes, central to funding agreements and sustainability plans. Activity included an Under 26 scheme which incentivised young people to attend the theatre through reduced price tickets and value added opportunities; a Relaxed Performance initiative, offering autism friendly performances; an innovative and award-winning Living Well with Dementia programme (Winner of CNBA 2015 Community Involvement category; Winner of Dementia Friendly Organisation of the Year in the Alzheimer's Society Dementia Friendly Awards 2016) & a family arts programme in line with the National Family Arts Campaign. In addition to development and management responsibilities I co-ordinated all marketing and communications activity for the projects including copywriting, press releases, marketing materials, content for funding bids, awards entries, articles and presentations etc. I represented the organisation at external meetings, networking opportunities and industry events.
The Living Well with Dementia programme was also shortlisted as a finalist in the International Dementia Awards 2015. As part of this project I trained as a Dementia Friends Champion and helped deliver Dementia Friends Awareness sessions to staff and volunteers.
Client Testimonial:
"I wanted to express my personal appreciation of the huge contribution you have made to the success of the theatre over the past few years. Your commitment, tenacity and enthusiasm have achieved a huge amount for us. Your achievements have been numerous and exceptional. You have identified opportunities, taken initiatives and developed new strands of activity, the legacy of which remain embedded in the ongoing strategies of the theatre."
~ Patric Gilchrist, Executive Director, Theatre by the Lake, Cumbria Theatre Trust.
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