Box Office: 01902 321 321
Email: arena@wlv.ac.uk
Box Office: 01902 321 321
Email: arena@wlv.ac.uk
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Neil Reading – Artistic Director
Name: Neil Reading
Contact details: Neil.Reading@wlv.ac.uk / 01902 322 373
Neil Reading is the Artistic Director of Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, a venue with over 20 years history of supporting theatre made for and by d/Deaf and disabled audiences and companies.
Neil graduated with an MA in ‘Directing for Theatre’ from St Mary’s University and a BA (Hons) in ‘Theatre Studies’ from University of Hull. Neil has been a theatre director and producer for the past eighteen years and has been involved with over 40 productions to date, he is also a founding member and company director of Beautiful Shadows Theatre Company. Neil’s primary focus is new writing and developing the next generation of theatre artists.
Recent works include, ‘Dark Tales in Winter’ by Matt Beames/Hannah Torrance (Arena Theatre/Beautiful Shadows), ‘Kukunor/Kalahari’ by Eero Enqvist (Arena Theatre and Tour) ‘Burning Books’ by Jess Green (Arena Theatre and Tour), ‘Dancing About Architecture’ by Kat Wootton (Arena Theatre and Tour), ‘Bert’ by Dave Pitt and a series of four plays from across Europe as part of the Creative Europe POPDrama Project. Neil has also directed for 14/48 in Wolverhampton, Leicester and Seattle.
‘Bert’ returned to the stage in 2017 where it was used as the basis for an academic project investigating Audio Described theatre, from this the paper ‘Soundtrack as Auditory Interface: Exploring an Alternative to Audio Description for Theatre’ written by Neil and Mat Dalgleish was published and presented at conferences across the UK and Europe.
Over the past five years Neil has been involved in a number of Creative Europe projects working on developing Audio Description services across Europe, this work has taken him to France, Italy, Romania, Spain, Bulgaria, Portugal and Finland to share best practice, learn from partners on their approach and to promote the importance of Audio Description in theatres. This work has also seen Audio Description services provided, in some countries, for the first time.
Kirsty Povey-Dooner – Front of House and Access and Inclusion Manager
Name: Kirsty Povey-Dooner (Pove)
Contact details: k.povey2@wlv.ac.uk / 01902 322 532
Kirsty has been working in the Arts Industry for over 15 years, starting as an Arts Educator and actor, before pursuing a career backstage as a Stage Manager and Set Designer.
A graduate of the University of Wolverhampton she started working casually at the Arena in 2010. In 2012 she became a full-time member of staff, as one of the Arena Theatre’s Box Office Assistant.
In December 2014 Kirsty started acting up as the Access and Inclusion Officer, and started doing the role full time as of 2015.
In January 2020 Kirsty, will take on the role of Front of House and Access and Inclusion Manager. Kirsty firmly believes that everyone should be able to access the arts and experience the magic of theatre. Theatre is for everyone and can be made by everyone.
Sam Fleming – Front of House and Education and Outreach Manager
Name: Samantha Fleming (Sam)
Contact details: Sam.Fleming@wlv.ac.uk / 01902 322 646
Sam has worked in the education and arts industry since 2013, graduating from the University of Wolverhampton with a BA (Hons) in 'English', and an MA in 'English Literature'.
Sam began her career in the University of Wolverhampton's Marketing & Communications department as a Graduate Intern. Working in Alumni and Development, she managed their social media channels and wrote articles for the magazine WLV Life, as well as supporting on events such as Graduations, and celebrations at the House of Lords.
Sam started working at the Arena Theatre in 2014 as the Marketing Officer, liaising with 40+ theatre companies a year to create and deliver marketing and outreach strategy. During this time, she was responsible for the Arena Theatre brochure, social media channels and e-mail newsletter. She also created and project managed a number of marketing campaigns for Arena Theatre productions, including Kukunor/Kalahari and Dark Tales in Winter.
In 2020, Sam began the role of Front of House and Education and Outreach Manager at the theatre and currently oversees the education and outreach strategies for the Arena Theatre. In the past three years, Sam - with partners Flexus Dance Collective - has launched Project Xpedition: an arts management and performance programme for 11-15 year olds; and implemented the infrastructure of the Arena Theatre's livestreaming offer for audience members. Sam assists with artist development initiatives where appropriate, and programmes pieces for the Arena Collaborative Theatremakers scratch nights.
Stephen Payne – Technical Manager
Name: Stephen Payne (Steve)
Details: Steve.payne@wlv.ac.uk /01902 322 507
Steve Payne has worked at the Arena Theatre since 2007, initially joining as a Deputy Technician in the Technical Department. In 2009, Steve was promoted to the role of Technical Manager.
During his time as Technical Manager, Steve has overseen complete overhaul of the technical department and of the facilities and equipment at the Arena Theatre. Steve has worked hard to build and maintain the Arena Theatre's reputation as having one of the best technical departments in small scale in the county.
Steve's career outside of the Arena Theatre has as seen him working in most of the number one touring venues across the country and running a local hire and production company (MPS) all of which allows Steve to stay up to date with current industry practices and equipment.
Steve runs a tight ship, and maintains a high standard of organisation, he prides himself on the technical team’s ability to smash through get out times, of incoming companies and the high level of health and safety held at the Arena Theatre. Steve looks forward to leading the Technical Team at the Arena Theatre into the next stage of theatre entertainment.
Jamie Harley - Senior Technician (Lighting)
Name: Jamie Harley (Jamie)
Details: Jamie.Harley@wlv.ac.uk / 01902 322 487
Jamie Harley has worked for the Arena Theatre since March 2020, joining as a Technician before receiving a promotion to the Senior Lighting position in November 2021. Prior to this, he had built up his reputation within the venue as a casual technician.
Jamie’s career outside of the theatre has seen him work in several touring venues across the country – including the Wolverhampton Grand and Forest Arts Centre locally – working as a Senior Technician for Midland Production Solutions (MPS).
During his time at the Arena Theatre, Jamie has overseen the installation of the Arena Theatre’s new livestreaming equipment during the COVID-19 lockdown, going on to manage complex AV events such as Wolves E-Sports and the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards.
Drew White – Senior Technician (Sound)
Name: Andrew White (Drew)
Details: Drew.white@wlv.ac.uk / 01902 322616
Drew has worked in live entertainment and theatre for many years.
While studying on the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s BSc Music Technology (Hons) course, Drew started working at the world-famous Symphony Hall in Birmingham as a casual technician. Upon graduating in 2007 Drew started working at both Symphony Hall and Town Hall full-time as a Technical Assistant. During his time at THSH, Drew became one of the top in-house sound engineers, mixing sound for a number of world renowned performers and, in particular, stand-up comedians.
In 2009, Drew made the move from live music and entertainment to theatre and started working at the Arena as a technician. During his time at the Arena, Drew has helped oversee a number of changes, including the installation of the new sound system and mixing console in 2014, and the 7.1 surround sound installation for the Arena’s new cinema system in 2018. Drew has also provided sound design for a number of Arena Theatre produced shows including “There Is None Who Does Good”, “Kukunor/Kalahari”, “The Open Door”, and “The Signalman”. Outside of the Arena, Drew has provided sound design and operation services to a number of amateur musical theatre companies across the Midlands including Wolverhampton Musical Comedy Company, Bilston Operatic Company, South Staffs Musical Theatre Company, and West Bromwich Operatic Society.
In 2019, Drew was promoted to Senior Technician for Sound and is looking forward to maintaining an excellent sound provision to both touring theatre companies and patrons of the theatre.