Recent Projects and Testimonials
Consultancy
November 2023 – present
Forest Forge Theatre Company
Forest Forge is a leading rural theatre company based in the New Forest. Since November 2023 I have been supporting the board and staff to develop and embed a new business plan. I worked with the team to identify and celebrate the artistic practice and ethos that defines the company. Building on this, as well as the company’s 40-year history, we have developed an exciting and sustainable plan and budget that will be delivered over the next three years.
Alongside strategic planning, I am working with the team to improve their governance, financial management, marketing, operations and administration processes and overseeing fundraising and premises management.
August – October 2023
Wiltshire Creative
I supported Wiltshire Creative, the flagship organisation that encompasses Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury International Arts Festival and Salisbury Playhouse, to undertake a strategic review of its activity, with a focus on long term sustainability.
Recommended to Wiltshire Creative by Arts Council England, I undertook consultation with staff and used desk research alongside my own experience to present a report that offered a range of options for the organisation’s future development and community relations.
March – July 2023
Blue Apple Theatre
Blue Apple Theatre is a leading theatre company for adults with learning disabilities. I worked with them to deliver a feasibility study, consulting on, exploring and providing information on a new strand of their work.
October 2022 – September 2023
BearFace Theatre
BearFace Theatre specialise in working with vulnerable people and those affecting by the criminal justice system. Whilst their Development Manager was on maternity leave, I supported the company with their strategic and financial management, governance and fundraising. During the year I led the successful Arts Council Project Grant application for over £29,000.
Other consultancy clients have included:
Night Time Economy Solutions
Havant Borough Council
Ian Nicholson, Director
Producing
June 2022 – present
Kitchen Zoo Theatre
Kitchen Zoo are an award-winning family theatre company based in Newcastle. They are Associate Artists at ARC Stockton.
I have produced 14 productions for Kitchen Zoo including:
7 national tours to venues including York Theatre Royal, Nottingham Playhouse, Lyric Hammersmith, Tobacco Factory Theatres, Stephen Joseph Theatre, ArtsDepot, MAC and ARC.
3 Christmas commissions / productions at Northern Stage
2 commissions of new productions at Queen’s Hall, Hexham
Production runs at venues including Theatre By The Lake, Jacksons Lane and The Albany.
June 2023 – present
Lucy Mellors,
Comedian and Opera Singer
Lucy is a professional soprano and comedian. Since 2023 I have been working with Lucy in support of her touring production It is I, Seagull. I worked with Lucy to secure funding of over £60,000 from Arts Council England to develop and tour the production, alongside R&D for a future project and delivering a comprehensive participation programme in Gosport. I now support Lucy in a mentoring capacity, with a focus on strategic and financial management and fundraising.
September 2022 – February 2023
Danyah Miller Storyteller
Danyah is the award-winning storyteller behind the hugely successful adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s I Believe in Unicorns. I worked with Danyah and the production team to develop budgets and plan for the 2023 West End run at the Apollo Theatre. I also booked the national tour of the production in autumn 2023.
Other theatre producing clients have included:
Mischief Dance Theatre
Testimonials
“Sophie fostered a unique relationship with us as a company… She understood our need to take risks, to ask the difficult questions, and she created a safe space where that nuanced discussion could evolve in to something useful and transformative. She has set the bar and she has set it high!
[Your report] is incredibly well considered and helpful… you’ve encouraged us to think about things in a different way and have helped to remind us of the power, purpose and potential.
Sophie understands how local government works and was very good at convincing often sceptical Councillors and senior officers about the value of the arts.
I asked Sophie to undertake a review of one of our venues which she tackled with her usual enthusiasm and ‘can do’ attitude.The resulting constructive and concise report was well written and delivered on time, helping us to decide what we needed to do next.
Sophie was a real pleasure to work with and I can’t recommend her highly enough.”
Sophie is quite simply the ideal producer.
Aside from being a joy to work with, I most value her honesty and ability to direct ideas and concepts compassionately whilst maintaining artistic integrity.
Together we have created many exciting, memorable, and fulfilling creative projects that I am incredibly proud of.