Questions and Answers with Patrick

What do you do?
I’m the Education and Outreach Manager, which basically means I’m responsible for leading and developing the theatre’s programme of arts activities. I direct the Theatre in Education plays and manage the Youth/Community Theatre programme. It’s my job to make sure that there are plenty of arts projects and activities for people of all ages to get involved with both at the theatre and in other locations in the local community.

What was your very first role in theatre?
Well my first role in theatre was probably when I was cast as the role of “Mary” in my school nativity play. I was about 7 I think. Yes, Mary! It was an all boy’s school. I think I brought a sense of natural pathos to the role.

What else have you done in theatre?
I have worked as an actor. I have taken part in numerous stage plays with the role of Billy Bibbet in One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest probably being my favorite. I have also worked as a theatre director and co-ran my own theatre company which produced plays for children’s audiences. I also farted in a theatre once, but blamed the guy sitting beside me!!

Have you got qualifications?
I have a university degree in Drama and Performance (University of Wales, Aberystwyth). I also have a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (University of Wales, Cardiff).

What did you do before you worked in theatre?
I worked as a Performing Arts lecturer at a Sixth Form College in Sheffield for three years. There I taught on a range of courses and directed numerous productions at the college. In my youth I worked at a range of jobs from barman to boating lake assistant, where I wore a lovely pair of green waders (very attractive).

How did you make the move to working in theatre?
I have always loved theatre and the freedom in gives to express yourself. I love all aspects of theatre, especially the creative exploration in the rehearsal room. It is such a rewarding experience to go on a journey with a group of actors and to produce a truthful exciting production. So with that said, it was easy. I applied and that was that. This job allows me to merge my educational experience with my theatrical.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was really little I wanted to be a professional footballer, but then I realized I wasn’t good enough as I could only get in the under 11B team. I then wanted to be a musician but my mother sent me to piano lessons with my sister and she was better than me. So that was out. I then got into drama and realized that I was someway good at it. I originally wanted to be an actor but then I found directing and knew that was the path for me.

What do you do all day?
No two days are the same, which makes my work really interesting. I have days where I am at my desk planning and organising projects and activities. Then other days when I am running backstage tours and workshops or meeting with teachers and members of other arts organisations. There are other days when I directing the TIE plays. Then there are evenings and weekends when I am running events like our Youth Theatre showcases or our dance platform event.

What’s the best thing about your job?
I have the opportunity to work with lots of different people of all ages on various different projects. No two days are the same. I get to envisage a project and then see this project through to its conclusion, which can be very rewarding.

And the worst?
We all work long and unusual hours here and we don’t get paid very well in comparison to a number of other professions. You do get used to it and the vast majority of people who work in theatre do it because they love it! Sometimes I am stuck at my desk for long periods and that gives me a bad back!

What’s your dream job in theatre?
I would like to be an Associate or Artistic Director of a producing theatre. I would like to work with new writing and push the boundaries of performance.