Ava Hunt Theatre Board of Trustees
Jessica Harris – Chair
I’m an advocate for the contribution the arts make to lives – on a personal and societal level. I’ve witnessed the benefits for people’s self-esteem and agency, and I’m familiar with evidence of impact from many studies. I’ve managed arts organisations, developed cultural provision of local authorities, and run national programmes. Most recently, I led NCVO’s Cultural Commissioning Programme, helping cultural organisations and public services build relationships, and work collaboratively. Currently, I’m developing my own creative practice, whilst undertaking consultancy work. I’m a member of the Arts Council’s AQA panel, and review events for the media.
Rick Hall – Safeguarding Officer
Rick Hall is a writer and the founder of Ignite!, a Nottingham charity that promotes creativity in learning. A Fellow of the RSA and a Churchill Fellow, Rick develops projects where communities can express their curiosity in creative ways. A former teacher, actor and director in Theatre in Education and Radio Nottingham’s phone-in Santa, Rick is delighted to reflect on working with Ava some time ago and to support Ava Hunt Theatre now as a Trustee.
Sam Rushton
Sam started her career as an actor, voice-over artist and theatre facilitator around the Midlands. Sam first found her love for theatre growing up in local repertory theatre and then studying to gain her BA Hons in Drama, Dance and Physical theatre at Edge Hill University, followed by a MA in Advanced Theatre Practice at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
She has worked on international participatory community arts research projects at Staffordshire University, civic engagement with University of Derby and for various cultural organisations in leading creative workshops and promoting the growth of local inclusive arts opportunities and managing events. Most recently Sam has worked as the Creative Producer for Derby CAN (Creative Arts Network,) a funded project by Arts Council England, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and University of Derby as a multi-partner city wide project led on by Derby Theatre to increase representation and cultural relevance in Derby and break down barriers between artists, community and organisations to increase agency and voice in the city.
Sam has worked with many groups in Derby including those seeking sanctuary, those who care for people living with dementia and supporting local people to put on events that are of interest to them in their area. Her work often includes working with local community members who might not typically engage with the arts or large organisations but want to make a difference in their community, championing local voices and embedding authentic co-creative practices and voice to shape a program of cultural and artistic relevance. Sam is now producing community work for Derby Theatre, as Derby Theatre’s Community Producer.
Suki Sidhu
I am a secondary school drama teacher having worked in Derby, Derbyshire and now currently Nottingham City. I studied Theatre Arts at the University of Derby and did my Drama PGCE at Birmingham City University, as part of my placement I supported Journeys of Destiny in schools, and am delighted to join the company’s Board of Trustees. I am passionate about the Arts and I believe them a powerful tool to explore important issues was well as Drama as a subject. I do my best to ensure all the students I work with get a balance and broad curriculum in Drama. I am passionate about offering students the chance to be involved in theatre and to be able to watch theatre performances.
Tony Watts OBE
Since graduating in English Literature, Tony has spent his career in communications – originally in PR and marketing, then moving into journalism. Over the last few years his work has increasingly been geared towards content writing for websites as well as writing and ghostwriting books.
He has written extensively for many blue-chip companies and government departments, and his journalistic career includes writing for the Guardian, Daily and Sunday Telegraph and Sunday Times as well as owning and editing a number of newspapers and magazines. He also has a keen interest in theatre, writing extensively for the amateur stage. He received an OBE in 2014 for his campaigning work on behalf of older people.
Producer – Frances Watt
Frances is a project manager, choir leader and musician with experience of working with a range of arts development roles. These include as arts development officer for district, borough and county councils; national project management for Sing Up! the primary singing campaign based at Sage Gateshead, and leading a national learning programme for a Heritage Lottery project with the English Folk Dance and Folk Dance Society. She also has extensive festival & event management and freelance work. She has worked with Ava Hunt Theatre since 2017. She runs two community choirs in Derbyshire, co-ordinates dementia friendly arts projects and other work for the Arts, Health and Wellbeing strand of Arts Derbyshire, and is General Manager of Folk Dance Remixed.
Finance Support
Pat has provided financial support to the company since its formation and has much experience of working with theatre, media and arts not for profit organisations of various sizes and complexities. As well as dealing with day to day finance, budgeting and year end accounting, her experience also
covers grant funding claims and applications in particular to Arts Council England and British Film Institute, and previously to European funds.
