Volunteer Trustee to join the Board | Cygnet Training Theatre

Job content

The new trustees will build on the charity’s dynamic new focus & energy, and help lead the organisation through the next exciting phase of its development to raise its profile as an industry recognised professional training.

What will you be doing?

The chief role of the Trustees is to assist the Chair in meeting the board’s overall responsibilities, in accordance with their statutory and charitable duties. Advice and guidance on these duties will be provided as part of an induction. The trustees promote good governance by ensuring that the Board of Trustees effectively performs its principal tasks of

• Commenting on/approving policy matters, accreditation, and the content of its annual report
• Ensuring that proper financial, administrative, and legal arrangements are in place.
• Assisting the forward motion of the theatre’s development.
  

The Board of Trustees offers guidance and expertise to the Executive (the Principal and staff of Cygnet Theatre).

Cygnet Training Theatre is preferably seeking Trustees with experience and skills in one or more of the following areas

• Performer or creative professional in the UK live performance sector
• Theatre Producer or Executive Producer
• Planning lawyer with familiarity of policy and processes affecting the heritage and culture sectors
• Arts press or media journalist with knowledge/experience of theatre/live performance
• Fundraising
• Arts Management
  

There are three board meetings each year plus the Annual General Meeting. Other involvement is voluntary and on an ad hoc basis e.g. if the Principal seeks advice on given topics from particular trustees.

The appointment is for an initial term of one year and is expected to start on 1st September 2021.

We strongly encourage applications from women; people with disabilities; and people who are from ethnically or culturally diverse backgrounds. Cygnet Training Theatre is keen for the board and its work to be informed by and representative of the diverse communities it serves.

What are we looking for?

Candidates will also need to demonstrate in their application how they meet the following essential criteria

• An interest in the aims and objectives of Cygnet Training Theatre – this could be relating to our educational, community or theatre work.
• An advocate for Cygnet Training Theatre with an ability to actively promote its work to wider networks.
• A commitment to promoting cultural diversity and inclusion in the leadership and delivery of Theatres Charities work.
  

Desirable

criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of issues affecting theatres across the UK, and appreciation of their value in planning; regeneration and development; architecture and design; the environment and heritage.
• Effective personal and communication skills, allied to an ability to be objective, listen, inspire and motivate.
  

What difference will you make?

Cygnet Training Theatre is an independent educational institute and theatre. We want everyone to have access to quality, affordable, regional theatre. We train the next generation of performers by learning on the stage in front of a live audience.

Established by Monica Shallis and Mary G Evans in 1981. Cygnet Theatre has been training actors for a career in the West End, Broadway, national tours, film, TV and radio for forty years.

We are the only educational facility that combines professional training with worldwide recognised qualifications (Equity, Spotlight, OFQUAL) in such small groups with unprecedented individual attention.

We also hold a heritage library.

Prior to the pandemic, every year more than 3000 people attended our small studio theatre.

The Covid pandemic has seen Cygnet Training Theatre expand its methods over the last twelve months. We have adapted teaching with blended online learning, using our wider networks for industry workshops. New appointments have ensured Cygnet Training Theatre is best equipped to navigate the crisis, with up-to-date Covid-19 training. Alongside this, Cygnet Training Theatre successfully partnered with The Stage Newspaper to offer a student scholarship.

Additionally, fundraising has grown dramatically. During 2020-2021 Cygnet Training Theatre has raised around £9,500 for its recovery from the pandemic.

What’s in it for the volunteer?

The chance to help the next generation of performers. To aid the development of the theatre to ensure its continued survival for the benefit of the community it serves.

Before you apply

We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the role. By ‘minimum criteria,’ we mean that you must provide evidence in your application that demonstrates you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria. If you would like a confidential discussion regarding any reasonable adjustments during the process, please also indicate this in the covering email or letter.

Causes

• Arts
• Education
  

Our Charity has 3 strands of objectives

Firstly, through an educational artistic programme, to train the next generation of performers in achieving artistic excellence.

Secondly, to...