CATHERINE WHEELS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Artistic Director and CEO of Puppet Animation Scotland
Dawn is the Artistic Director and CEO of Puppet Animation Scotland, Scotland's development agency for visual theatre, puppetry and animated film, who also produce the annual Manipulate and Puppet Animation Festivals. She has worked as project lead and creative producer for leading cultural organisations across the UK. Outside of her professional life, she is usually to be found exploring the countryside near her home in Falkirk or making mud pies with her son.
Donna Laing is an experienced Project, Change and People Manager. She is not afraid of a challenge and has an established reputation for implementing complex change in a collaborative way (no drama!). A seasoned netball player, she is passionate about the sport and club she represents.
Emma joined the Catherine Wheel's Board at the start of 2018. She is currently Director of Marketing & Communications at Edinburgh University Students' Association. Prior to working in higher education, she held a number of marketing and audience development roles in arts and cultural organisations including the Festival, King's and Lyceum Theatres. Emma is passionate about enabling early years arts and cultural experiences for all.
Job Titles:
- Artistic Director
- Director
I am from Edinburgh but grew up in the countryside outside the city. I went to the village primary where Mrs Watson my primary 4 teacher loved drama and passed it on to me. I always knew I wanted to act; drama was too much fun to imagine doing anything else.
When I was 18 I went to the RSAMD (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) and left as a jobbing actor. Theatre was thriving in Scotland - Glasgow had its Year of Culture and we now had a new festival - The Edinburgh International Children's Festival and for the first time we could see inspiring work made just for children… it was a revelation!
Job Titles:
- Marketing & Communications Manager
I am the Production and Facilities Manager for Catherine Wheels, and it is my job to look after the technical side of productions. I make sure we have everything we need for the show to go on - sound equipment, lighting equipment, set, props, stage managers! And not forgetting the van to put it all in. I'm also responsible for making sure our rehearsal room and storage is in tip top shape.
I am Catherine Wheels' Producer, which means I work closely with our Artistic Director Gill, the production & creative teams, performers and promoters, to create and present shows. I am often working on multi, overlapping annual programmes, with shows touring here in Scotland and around the world.
I studied Hispanics at Glasgow Uni, and having itchy feet, delighted in spending time travelling and living abroad. Then I joined Catherine Wheels in 2004, and I discovered there were ways of moving without relocating; to be part of a wonderfully inspiring creative team that opened up whole new worlds and people to me.
Working with CW I learnt the graft and joy of working with schools, of touring to tiny communities in the highlands, and creating outdoor site-specific shows outdoors in February. And I've been able to join some of the company's overseas adventures in New York, Auckland, Sydney, and Japan. My role at CW has shifted and evolved over the years, and I've had the opportunity to take on different responsibilities and learn new skills along the way.
A secondment opportunity in 2012 led me to join Artistic Director Jo Timmins to set up Lyra, an arts organisation working with young people based in Craigmillar. I learnt a lot over those three years, working with young people on a peer to peer basis with artists, creating brilliant projects together. The work, the art - in whatever form that takes - and those that create it - continue to inspire me and, back at Catherine Wheels, I'm delighted to be closer to the work than ever as the company's Producer. I work closely with our Artistic Director Gill, the production & creative teams, performers and promoters, to create and present shows. I am often working on multi, overlapping annual programmes, with shows touring here in Scotland and around the world. Catherine Wheels' commitment to supporting the sector has also given me opportunities to produce for independent artists, including the highly talented Shona Reppe, supporting her to make and tour her wonderfully unique shows.
I enjoy volunteering in a variety of capacities, including mentoring (Step Up), and I am currently a trustee for Lyra and ASSITEJ UK (Performance for Young Audiences)
Aside from loving my work, I'm happiest sea swimming or walking in the woods near my home in East Lothian.
Pete is a musician and educator specialising in working with technology and inclusive methodology. Pete has been Artistic Director of Drake Music Scotland since 2010 working with an amazing team of Associate Musicians to deliver an award-winning programme of national and international projects. He has also worked for Bookstart, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and as a freelancer in a wide variety of collaborative arts projects all over the UK.
He has a keen interest and knowledge of performing arts education, with a particular focus on inclusion and working in Scotland's funding landscape. He firmly believes that Performing Arts can and should have a greater presence, relevance and influence in our society.
Pete loves to play trombone and can sometimes be found on Portobello Prom performing with the Shunpike Social Club.
Tanatsei Gambura is a poet, intermedia artist and cultural practitioner based in Edinburgh. A student at the University of Edinburgh, she takes a research-based approach to her practice, often centring archival material as the point of departure of her work. Tanatsei is interested in children's development with a focus on supporting BAME young people. She has a particular interest in theatre and enjoys performing musical numbers in front of her mirror in her spare time.
I joined Catherine Wheels in October 2019. My job at Catherine Wheels is to help to ensure that the company, it's people and finances remain healthy and are able to thrive.
I grew up in Oxgangs in Edinburgh, and like a lot of people from the schemes, didn't have much connection with the cultural life of my city growing up. I drifted into theatre through duty and romance: my brother was at Drama School so I had to see his work, and met my future partner, Gill, who was on the same course. I did a foundation course at Edinburgh College in Technical Theatre and became for a short time a terrible stage manager. Fortunately for everyone involved I moved quickly into producing and management.
I started working in children's theatre in the early 90's helping to set up and manage Visible Fictions. In 1995 I joined the Scottish International Children's Festival as Festival Director and worked with that organisation as it became Imaginate. I left in 2015 after twenty festivals to work freelance and had the privilege of working with fabulous organisations and people across the world. I've seen around 10,000 productions for children and young people in all that time. This doesn't entitle me to anything, not even a badge. It just means I've seen productions on a regular basis that have thrilled me, challenged me, made my heart soar and made me realise how important it is to allow children and young people to explore their lives through art. I also have a Scottish Swimmers badge which for people of a certain age proves that you can swim for 50m in your pyjamas. This achievement may be more impressive.