In February, Maddy (she/her) joined the Gate as our new Development Manager.
Maddy is a development consultant, creative learning producer & performer originally from the West Midlands. She has produced for companies such as Punchdrunk Enrichment, Turtle Key Arts, Frangipane Productions and Black Tern Arts and is the Development Manager for youth arts charity Eastside Educational Trust. She began her career coordinating political & media literacy education programmes with young people across the UK and internationally. Elsewhere, she writes and performs with long-running current affairs sketch show NewsRevue, and recently performed in the national tour of GOYA Theatre’s queer musical comedy Four Felons and a FuneraI.
What made you want to work for the Gate?
I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the Gate story – its rich history as a theatre celebrating work beyond our borders and supporting voices and stories which don’t always get their fair share of the spotlight is a mission I am really passionate about. I don’t know about you, but the world feels to me like quite a scary place at the moment, and the chance to work with a theatre known for its ability to connect people across borders, across languages, and across cultures at a time when it has never been more important to do so is a once-in-a-career kind of opportunity.
I also truly can’t think of a more exciting time to join the team! Over the last few weeks, I’ve been so inspired by the history of this ground-breaking theatre and the work it has been producing over the last 45 years, as well as the amazing hard work of the current team to navigate the challenges of the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, and I can’t wait to get stuck into all the projects we have in the pipeline over the coming months.
What are your top three values?
Communication. Creativity. Carbohydrates.
What do you hope to achieve in your new role?
I can’t wait to support the team as we launch a brand-new era of the Gate – broadening our horizons and testing out new models for surviving and thriving as a producing company during such a challenging time for the sector. Through this process, I look forward to hopefully meeting many of our wonderful existing supporters, and building tons of new connections with others who are keen to help this wonderful theatre produce the radical and exciting work it’s known for. Speaking of, if you would like to pop into our offices at 38 Mayton Street for a quick coffee and a chat about how you can support the Gate, please do get in touch!
What’s a show you’ll never forget?
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Birmingham Hippodrome, circa. the mid noughties. My earliest memory of theatre is a big blur of colours and music and the magic of a flying car floating above a stage in Birmingham. It was my first trip to the theatre, and I think it’s inspired every visit since.
