Left to Right: Jess Pearson, Janice Connolly. Jess has short brown hair and is wearing a black top. Janice has short silver hair, is wearing a checkered blazer and floral shirt. She wears black glasses, blue earrings and has her arms folded. They stand together in front of a wooden wall.

(L to R) Jess Pearson, Janice Connolly

Changing Faces

Women & Theatre directors to depart

Robin Cantrill-Fenwick
2 min read

Artistic Director JANICE CONNOLLY and Executive Director JESS PEARSON are stepping down from Birmingham-based theatre company and charity Women & Theatre (W&T). 

Connolly is a founding member of W&T and has been Artistic Director for over 20 years. A writer, director and performer with a professional background in teaching, she was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to community arts in the West Midlands in 2017.

Pearson has worked at W&T since 2003 and also freelances as a producer of early years work.

Connolly said: “Though I have worked on many projects over the years, my work with W&T will remain the thing I am most proud of, because of the value-driven foundations from which everything springs from, both the work we make and how we make it.” 

Pearson also said she is “immensely proud” of what the company has achieved over the last 20 years. 

“I am excited to be working on some fantastic projects before I go, including celebrating W&T’s 40th anniversary, and am excited for the company’s next 40 years.”

ELLIE GRIFFITHS, Chair of the Board, commented: “Collectively, Janice and Jess have given 60 years to the company. Their passion, commitment and empathy is the beating heart of W&T.”

Recruitment for Connolly and Pearson's successors will commence in April, as the organisations begins its journey as a national portfolio organisation following a successful application in Arts Council England’s latest funding round.