Theatre Centre names new artistic director

ELEANOR MANNERS has been appointed artistic director of Theatre Centre, succeeding ROB WATT, who steps down after five years in post.

Most recently youth theatre director at Leeds Playhouse, Manners has worked as a director, voice coach and facilitator for over a decade.

Manners said: “It’s an incredible honour to step into the role of artistic director at Theatre Centre, a company with a seven-decade history of creating new work for young audiences and a legacy of shaping educational theatre in schools.

She continued, “With an all-female leadership team and a new home in Crawley, Theatre Centre is positioned to become a vibrant hub of creativity for the community whilst continuing its national reach with touring shows to schools and venues.”

Executive director EMMA REES added, “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Eleanor to Theatre Centre. The energy, warmth and wealth of experience working with young people that she brings will make sure we continue to build on Rob’s amazing work and on our decades of groundbreaking practice.”