ARTS DIARY
New Chair: York Theatre Royal has announced that Helen Boaden, above, is joining the organisation as Chair of the Board of Trustees. Boaden has extensive leadership experience in creative organisations including over 30 years at the BBC where, among a range of roles, she was Controller of Radio 4 and the first woman to run BBC News.
She sat on the Council of the Royal Academy of Arts and was Chair of Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre after nine years as a trustee. “I am delighted and honoured to have been asked to be the Chair of the Board of Trustees at York Theatre Royal,” she says. ”I have seen first-hand the impact that York Theatre Royal has both locally and nationally and I am looking forward to working with Trustees and staff as we embark on the next chapter in the life of this important and historic theatre.”
Community ensemble: Sheffield-based African theatre company, Utopia Theatre, is launching a community ensemble to create opportunities for anybody aspiring to participate and build up their experience in the industry either on stage or behind the scenes. The organisation is opening its doors to those who would like to gain experience in all aspects of theatre production such as acting, singing, lighting, sound, stage design and much more. Regular workshops led by industry professionals will be held for members of the community ensemble, who will then play a crucial part in Utopia Theatre productions. For details of auditions being held in January, February and March visit utopiatheatre.co.uk/events
More funding: Kala Sangam, Bradford’s arts centre, has been awarded £2,291,947 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and £250,000 from The Garfield Weston Foundation to support the company’s ambitious capital plans and enable delivery of activities with four local, diverse communities. The charity has already secured £4,998,500 for the redevelopment from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s Cultural Development Fund in March 2023, alongside £200,000 of investment from Bradford Metropolitan District Council. Building work is expected to begin on site next month.