I’ve run a successful session called ’10 Things I Have Learned From Capital Projects’ as part of the Theatre Trust’s Planning A Capital Project workshop on three occasions.
- July – December 2023: I advised KALA SANGAM ARTS CENTRE in Bradford on their contractor and Project Manager procurement processes, placing the contract notices on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder and supporting them through the process.
- January – September 2017: I worked for the ITALIA CONTI ACADEMY on their move to a campus in Egham, Surrey, focussing on the new 750 seat theatre to be built as part of their facilities.
- September 2016 – July 2018: LONDON FILM SCHOOL were planning to move to new premises in London City Island, a Ballymore development in the Docklands area, in 2018 and I acted as Internal Programme Manager for them.
- July 2015 – August 2018: working for the CORONET THEATRE, NOTTING HILL, which was acquired for the Print Room in 2014. This exciting and ambitious company brought this Grade II listed building back into use as a theatre after many years as a cinema and I managed a number of small projects for them, including auditorium reseating, heating and ventilation system replacement, external redecoration and the installation of a new external lighting scheme.
- September 2014 – January 2015: undertaking preliminary planning work for the THEATRE ROYAL STRATFORD EAST on their Red Crate project to create a version of the NT’s Shed in Gerry Raffles Square. The project did not proceed.
- June – December 2013, March – August 2015: working with WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE, LEEDS initially on an application to the Arts Council’s Large Capital Grant’s scheme. The project aims to give the Playhouse a dramatic new entrance on St Peter’s Street and refresh the front-of-house areas substantially increasing accessibility as well as upgrade both existing auditoria and create a new performance space in the ‘rock void’. The first bid was unsuccessful but the second was awarded £6.6m in January 2016 and I subsequently worked as End User Representative for them to deliver the project in partnership with Leeds City Council.
- September 2012 – July 2013: managing an OJEU compliant design team appointment process for the TRICYCLE THEATRE, LONDON.
- November 2009 – January 2010: advising the ROSES THEATRE TEWKESBURY on the brief for a capital feasibility study and assisting in the engagement of a consultant team to undertake it.
- September 2009 – March 2011: Project Manager for SUSTAINED THEATRE, working on their Making Spaces project. This is to establish a network of spaces across the country for Sustained Theatre members to create work; these will be a mix of existing facilities and projects in which Sustained Theatre will make a capital investment.
- November 2008 – March 2010: Project Manager/Client Representative for the NEW WOLSEY THEATRE, IPSWICH, managing initial design work to RIBA Stage C for a £1.5m extension to the theatre and advising on capital development generally. The scheme did not go ahead, but some minor works were ujndertaken to their Studio Theatre.
- June – October 2007: undertaking a feasibility study for IMAGINEER PRODUCTIONS on the conversion of the former Daimler powerhouse building in Coventry into rehearsal studios and production facility.
- December 2005 February 2006: work for Buro Four Project Services on SHEFFIELD THEATRES capital development scheme for the Crucible Theatre, principally looking at budget and fundraising issues.
- August 2003 September 2005: contract as Project Co-ordinator for TALAWA THEATRE COMPANY for their £9m capital project to create a new home for Black theatre in Westminster, London. I took the lead role on the project for the company, managing a range of workstreams including design, the development of a marketing strategy, funder relationships, finance and fundraising and liaising with the private developer involved. The project did not proceed beyond Stage D after the Arts Council withdrew funding in 2005.