Theatre Producer blog, December

I’ve just returned from some annual leave, during which I spent a fascinating week in London working on a new writing project with MA students at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. The experience introduced me to some incredible new musical theatre writing and showcased the talent of some outstanding performers.

The timing of the project couldn’t have been better, as I had recently participated in the Musical Theatre Network’s forum on how arts centres can better support new musical theatre writing. The week has left me with plenty of ideas and inspiration on how we can engage more actively with this artform moving forward.

Rebecca and I also had the pleasure of attending Dante or Die’s Christmas party recently. It was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with the company—who last brought us the online interactive film Odds On—and to enjoy a relaxed evening of drinks and conversation with some wonderfully creative people.

Most things are now winding down before Christmas, but I’m still working on some performance plans for 2025. Our schedule for next year is looking as busy as ever, if not busier! It can sometimes be a tricky job for the team to navigate the schedule with so many wonderful artists and companies coming and going, but as always, we do our best and are really looking forward to the year ahead.

Merry Christmas!

Theatre Producer blog, November

This month I am continuing to plan things for 2025, and we have some exciting things on the cards. Later in the month I will be heading over to Oban to have a meeting with several other venues in Argyll and the Touring Network to discuss the possibility of a micro-network to support venues and artists with rural touring in the area. It will hopefully mean that we are able to have some performances that we might not otherwise be able programme. Watch this space!

As part of my professional development, I am also looking into an observer ship with another organisation during the quieter months. This would allow me to watch and experience how another organisation operates, produces and programmes work, and I would then be able to bring this knowledge and improved skill set back to An Tobar and Mull Theatre.

Finally, one of the fun things about my job is reading new plays that cross my desk. I have quite a few to read because it is often tricky to find the time when so much is happening throughout the year, but I think this month I may be able to get through a few. I’m really looking forward to seeing if any of these could be contenders for future in-house productions. We try and look for plays whose storylines and themes will resonate with local audiences but that also have a wider national and international appeal so that we can present our island voice as part of the international conversation.

Theatre Producer, October

As we come to the close of a very busy season, I am already well into the process of lining up potential theatre performances for 2025. These will cover an exciting range of genres and themes incorporating storytelling, music, dance, clowning and more. As much of the theatre we receive is dependent on funding, we have to wait a little longer before we can confirm the bookings, but I am hopeful as always that we will have a diverse theatre offering next year.

I’m also continuing to build relationships with theatre makers who want to develop their work on Mull as part of our In the Wings programme. We already have several exciting theatre developments pencilled in for next year that will allow our community the chance to shape new work and see world premiere performances.

I am hopeful that we will also be able to continue to provide performances and workshop opportunities directly to the local schools next year as I am in the process of finalising several opportunities. This year we were able to support workshops and performances from visiting theatre makers at Iona, Dervaig and Tobermory schools.

Aside from programming, I will be taking part in some training over the next few months to make sure that I am best placed to deal with the needs of the organisation. I have recently been awarded one of 50 bursaries as part of the Achates Community which will help support and develop my practice, and I’m excited to get started and make some useful industry connections.