James Mackenzie-Blackman is an award-winning theatre producer, arts advocate and venue manager.

James grew up in Plymouth and South Devon and was a proud member of the Theatre Royal Plymouth Young Company.

After concluding his formal education James spent two years working overseas in Nepal and then in Europe and North America.

After University in Liverpool, James started his career at Greenwich Theatre. In 2004 James commenced six years at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith culminating in raising £20m for a major capital project at the Lyric to build the world’s first teaching theatre so that young people could train for careers on; off and backstage in a professional performing arts venue. During his time at the Lyric James bought the Broadway production of Spring Awakening to London that went on to win four Olivier Awards.

Following his time at the Lyric James was Executive Director of the National Theatre of Great Britain during a time when the company were heavily involved in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

After his time at NYT James was Executive Director of Sir Matthew Bourne’s award-winning dance company New Adventures. Matthew is one of the world’s most well-known choreographers and theatremakers who has changed the dance landscape forever. James regularly toured the UK; North America, Asia and Australia and during his time at the company James oversaw substantial growth in participation, audiences and turnover.

In 2017 James was appointed Chief Executive of Eden Court, Scotland’s largest single-site arts venue. During his tenure, James steered the company through a period of significant change and growth.

James is regularly invited to speak at conferences and events in the UK and overseas, he is a trustee of the Compass Partnership of Schools in South East London.

James took up post as Chief Executive of the UK’s largest and best-attended regional theatres, the Theatre Royal Plymouth in January 2022.

He is married with two sons and lives on The Hoe in Plymouth city centre a few hundred yards from Stage Door.

Helen Costello is our Chief Operating Officer. She looks after all the support services that help get the show on the stage. It is a varied remit ranging from finance to ice creams. She is a chartered accountant who has taken a non-traditional career path which includes running a high-end hotel for several years.

For Helen, it is all about the people. Running a great team that has synergy in working as one but at the same time supporting the individuals in that team to shine. The best feeling is seeing someone discover their talents and grow them into a fulfilling life.

Away from the theatre, Helen enjoys the sea (and her beach hut) as well as all the excitement her large family creates!

Liz King joins TRP from The Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh where she is Director of Producing and has overseen numerous productions including the award winning production of Life is a Dream, the West End transfer of Pride & Prejudice* *sort of, a season of digital work on the Sound Stage, the theatre’s first production in New York, Tim Crouch’s Truth’s A Dog Must to Kennel and the theatre’s inaugural season of award-winning work at the Edinburgh Festivals. Prior to working at The Lyceum, Liz was the Producer at Kneehigh Theatre and toured productions nationally and internationally for over ten years, as well as presenting six seasons of work in Kneehigh’s nomadic tent, The Asylum.

Dame Darcey Bussell DBE is the most famous British ballet dancer of her generation and was a Principal dancer at The Royal Ballet for almost 20 years.

She is President of the Royal Academy of Dance and the overseas Patron of the Sydney Dance Company amongst her many patronages.

Darcey coaches at The Royal Ballet, presents the Royal Ballet’s cinema relays, makes documentaries and recently she founded both the charity DD-MIX, whose primary aim is to have dance fitness incorporated into an expanded physical education in schools, and Move-Assure which is a movement-based social prescription to aid mental health.

Bronwen spent her professional career in education and local government in the Midlands and Plymouth where she was Director of Education and then Director of Services for Children and Young People.

Currently Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at Theatre Royal Plymouth, she is also a member of the Audit Committee. Following retirement from full-time work, Bronwen undertook education consultancy support work for three years before becoming a School Governor and a Non-Executive Director Board Member of the REACH South West Multi Academy Trust, where she is also Chair of the Education Standards Committee.

A lifelong interest in the performing arts—and theatre in particular—was forged from regular school-organised trips to the Belgrade Theatre Coventry and the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford upon Avon. Bronwen has a particular interest in championing the interests of children with special needs, which is how she came to know and champion TRP’s Funky Llama programme and other outreach projects.

Alastair is Head of Casting at the National Theatre. Previously he was the Casting Director at the Donmar Warehouse. He started his career at the NT and as a freelance casting director has cast for film and theatre in London, New York, Los Angeles and around the world. Alastair has family who lives on The Hoe so he is in Plymouth often. He lives in London and Suffolk.

Andy is a retired senior executive from the local NHS and has significant corporate and public sector experience. He is a huge fan of TRP and very much sees himself as a loyal audience member. Andy has significant hearing loss. He lives in Plymouth.

Angie is the Creative Director of Trigger. She is a winner of the Creative Producer Arts Foundation Award. She is a Creative Fellow as part of the Bristol City Fellows and is a member of the London Area Council of Arts Council England. She is also a Clore Fellow (Theatre). Angie was also the creative lead on The Hatchling which premiered in Plymouth in 2020 and went on to lead the Queens Platinum Jubilee this summer.

Has served as an FTSE 100 Director and has 30 years of experience in media & communications and previous experience on the Plymouth Culture Board. Dawn lives in Kingsand and is a founder and director of Crowdfunder.co.uk, now HQ-ed in Cornwall. Dawn’s remit at Crowdfunder includes diversity, inclusion and community partnerships.

Emma Huxham is an HR & Talent Management professional with over 20 years of experience in leading teams, developing organisations and driving continuous professional development cultures. Currently the Global Talent Director for Mars Inc, she is passionate about coaching teams and individuals and helping people locate their talent to leverage their own personal and professional expansion.

Emma was born and raised in Plymouth and is now proud to be able to raise her young daughter here too. With a love of culture, the arts, performance and nature there is nowhere else she would rather be. When the opportunity arose to give something back to the community and to be part of such an aspiring organisation Emma jumped at the chance to join our Board of Trustees. Having worked for TRP in the past as the HR Manager she feels a strong connection to the organisation. Emma’s passion for people, commitment to development and untapped talent in storytelling (as credited by her daughter) will be a wonderful addition to the Board.

Is Co-Director of Nudge Community Builders, a Community Benefit Society bringing buildings back into use on Union Street. Hannah brings experience in managing grants, social finance, private investment and Community Share offers, as well as negotiating complex property acquisitions. She has been a school governor for five years and was on the Community Business Panel for Power to Change.

James Pidgeon is currently Executive Director & Joint CEO at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, one of the largest producing theatres in London.

Previously, James was Director & Chief Executive at Shoreditch Town Hall, and held producing and administration roles at the National Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre and Shakespeare’s Globe. He regularly undertakes guest lectures in producing and arts management at the likes of Royal Central School of Speech & Drama and Royal Holloway, University of London. He also sits on the Advisory Board of Theatre Re.

James was thrilled to join Theatre Royal Plymouth as a Trustee in July 2017. As someone born and raised in Devon, James is incredibly passionate about the theatre’s staggering breadth of work and is proud to play a very small part in an organisation that so evidently has an impact on communities across Plymouth, the region, and beyond.

Julie’s interest in the theatre began at an early age, when her mum and dad used to take her and her sister to see the ballet in Bristol and London. Pantos were also a big thing in her family; Julie’s great-uncle being Stan Stennett! Despite that, however, she never craved to be a performer and instead chose to teach.

Over her career, Julie has worked in many roles across the South West, eventually becoming a Headteacher in a small Cornish secondary school. The focus during her time in schools was inclusion and ensuring every child had a chance to succeed. Having seen the hugely positive impact all aspects of the theatre have on the life chances of young people, Julie sees this position as a Trustee as a way to continue that focus.

Has had a distinguished career history in performing arts management, including work with Cambridge Theatre Company, Manchester Royal Exchange, and 12 years with the RSC (9 years as Exec Prod and 3 years as a Producer). Subsequently, Lynda trained as a cognitive behaviour therapist and moved to Cornwall in 2013.

Samra is currently a London-based Senior Producer at Arts & Homelessness International, working with councils to co-create policy and programmes with people who are/have been homeless.

Sarah has over 20 years of experience as a communication and digital professional. Most of her career has been spent working in London within multiple industries, from television to banking. Since moving back to the West Country in 2013, Sarah has been Head of Content at the Met Office in Exeter. She manages a creative team of presenters, graphic designers, and videographers; producing 24/7 content for social media, broadcast, and news & media websites.

Born and raised in Plymouth, Sarah has had a lifelong passion for theatre since participating in young writing schemes in the 90s, going on to have plays performed at Barbican Theatre, The Drum and the Cygnet Theatre in Exeter. This experience encouraged her to go on to study Theatre and Media Drama at the University of South Wales.

Sarah is delighted to support Theatre Royal Plymouth as a Trustee and give something back to an organisation that has always been a source of pride to Plymouth, and one that has provided her with access to the world-class theatre since she was a child.

Sarah has over 25 years’ experience working in the higher education sector, leading and developing teams and programmes based in the arts and humanities. Most recently this was as the Dean of Arts and Humanities at Plymouth Marjon University, but she now works in the UK and Europe within HE and creative industries to support and foster approaches to leadership, and programme development.

Sarah began her working life in the theatre following drama school and has further degrees and a PhD in photography and visual culture. She contributes to the Performance and Programming and the Education, Disability & Inclusion sub-committees and loves having the opportunity to support such an important cultural institution in the region.

Shona is a qualified certified accountant and managing partner of Westcotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors; a regional accountancy practice with offices across Devon and Somerset and a team of 300 people. She has a detailed knowledge of accounting standards, corporate governance and all aspects of financial reporting. She has extensive experience in assisting clients with reviews of their financial budgets and strategies, and implementation of financial systems and controls. Shona is Chair of our Audit, Finance and Operations Committee.
Shona lives with her husband and two sons near Holbeton and regularly attends the theatre to see a variety of performances—appreciative of the broad range Theatre Royal Plymouth has to offer, including many performances that appeal to younger audiences.