Over the past two weeks, Isla and Pheobe have been gaining hands-on experience at The Old Electric, learning about the different aspects of how our theatre operates. They’ve seen firsthand how we bring shows and creative opportunities to life. Throughout their placement, they’ve developed new skills, worked alongside our team, and discovered what goes into running a community-focused venue. Here, they share their reflections on their time with us.
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“Hi I’m Chrissie. I’ve been involved with The Old Electric since 2020 when we took over the building and called it our new home. I’ve also been part of The Electric Sunshine Project since 2016. I have learned new skills, been taken out of my comfort zone in our productions and have thrived in confidence. I’m also the Housekeeper of this magnificent building and take pride in maintaining her majestic beauty. I love to see our audiences enjoying our performances.”
Hi, I’m Ruth and I have been part of the OE volunteer team since we took over the building in 2020. I’ve been a member of the Community Theatre since 2018/19 and I love being part of the OE and its fantastic work. I’ve had experiences and met people I couldn’t have done anywhere else!!
Hello I’m Luke and I have been with the Old Electric since 2020. I joined the community theatre group all the way back in 2016. I love the variety of shows we put on, and how we give voices to LGBTQ+ stories.
Hi I’m Lindsay and I’ve volunteered for the Old Electric and been involved with the community theatre since before it opened. I’ve challenged myself, grown in confidence and made loads of new friends since joining. It’s a magical gem of a place.
“I’m Soozie and I’ve been involved with TESP and The Old Electric since we got the theatre in 2020. I love making people feel welcome to our special place and sharing the experiences and opportunities that this magical place offers.”
“Hello! I’m Anthony and I’ve been volunteering since June 2024 and I love the variety, meeting people, and making their experiences as excellent as it can be.”
“Hello there, I’m Liz. I moved to Blackpool in 2023 and have discovered a very special place: The Old Electric Theatre. A very warm, welcoming atmosphere. I love British Sign Language, and hope we can enhance diversity within the Deaf community. I started volunteering in October 2024.”
“Hi, my name is Jamie. I started volunteering in October; I have been a part of The Electric Sunshine Project since 2016 and have been in nearly all their performances since then. I love being part of the community theatre at The Old Electric – we are a great bunch of people.”
“My name is Jeanette and I have been involved with the Old Electric since 2022. When I heard about The OE I was very excited to hear that at last we had a community theatre in Blackpool. I love meeting new people especially from the arts and the creative world – and ushering for the plays means that I get to watch new plays and meet up and coming artists!”
“Hi, my names Dominik. I have been volunteering at The Old Electric since May 2024. I like meeting new people, enjoy helping out, and learning new things along the way.”
Hi, I’m Imogen. I found The Old Electric by chance in July 2024 when I was looking for opportunities to volunteer and be involved with the local arts scene. I’ve been blown away by how friendly and welcoming all the other volunteers are! It’s a very special place, and I’m so happy and grateful to be part of it.
In January 2025, Imogen joined the TESP Board of Directors too! https://theoldelectric.co.uk/about/
Dr Frank Peschier is the literary manager of Headlong and a freelance dramaturg, critic and lecturer from South London, based in Liverpool. She currently oversees commissions and in house dramaturgy including forthcoming work from Cordelia Lynn, Winsome Pinnock, Joel Tan and James Graham. Previously she was New Works Associate at the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatre where in 2021 she was highly commended for the Kenneth Tynan Dramaturgy Award, highlighting her ‘artistic leadership and passion in platforming and celebrating voices that are often left unheard’. She writes about theatre for publications including Exeunt and The Stage, and has taught performance theory and contextual studies for BA and MA programmes at LIPA, Liverpool Hope, AUB and UAL. She is passionate about new writing, creative access and shaping brilliant experiences that bring people together. She is equally passionate about books, aerial arts and a seriously good vodka martini.
www.frankpeschier.co.uk
@FrankPeschier
Since graduating from Goldsmith’s College, University of London, with a BA (Hons) in English and Theatre Studies, Melanie has worked with young people in a diverse range of fields including for 8.5 years at the Royal Shakespeare Company and 4-years at the National Theatre for whom she oversaw regional learning partnerships for both War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. She has been an Educational Consultant for Touring Consortium Theatre Company, produced and directed Blackpool Grand Theatre’s first NT Connections Young Company projects and managed participation projects for NW organisations such as The Lowry, LeftCoast, Tameside Borough Council and Fleetwood Festival of Transport.
She has a Masters in Applied Theatre and Post Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Shakespeare as well as a Chartered Institute of Marketing Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing. She has also been on the Board of Directors previously for Geese Theatre and the dukes, Lancaster.
In April 2013, she bought a derelict warehouse in Blackpool to turn into a family home and it was here that she used on street and desk based research to found The Electric Sunshine Project cic, a company inspired by the town’s historical connections to enterprising showcasing of creativity via the illuminations. In 2019/20 she led the organisation to taking it’s first home in The Old Electric through an ambitious Lottery Communities funding bid.
Nick was an actor and then a teacher. He left teaching when he got his first commission from Nottingham Playhouse. He has written over 30 plays, including: WARRIOR SQUARE, NO PLANET B, A DREAM OF WHITE HORSES, ABOUT A BAND, A GIRL WITH A BOOK, and MIA. He has been commissioned by, amongst others, Radio 4, Eastern Angles, Derby Theatre, RSC, Theatre Solo, Crucible Theatre. For several years he was an RSC Education Associate Practitioner – writer on six regional tour community projects, worked in schools, led teachers’ Insets, and was a member of the team for the Davidson College RSC residency in North Carolina. He’s a member of Equity and on the Theatre Committee of the Writers’ Guild.
Dr Frank Peschier is the literary manager of Headlong and a freelance dramaturg, critic and lecturer from South London, based in Liverpool. She currently oversees commissions and in house dramaturgy including forthcoming work from Cordelia Lynn, Winsome Pinnock, Joel Tan and James Graham. Previously she was New Works Associate at the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatre where in 2021 she was highly commended for the Kenneth Tynan Dramaturgy Award, highlighting her ‘artistic leadership and passion in platforming and celebrating voices that are often left unheard’. She writes about theatre for publications including Exeunt and The Stage, and has taught performance theory and contextual studies for BA and MA programmes at LIPA, Liverpool Hope, AUB and UAL. She is passionate about new writing, creative access and shaping brilliant experiences that bring people together. She is equally passionate about books, aerial arts and a seriously good vodka martini.
www.frankpeschier.co.uk
@FrankPeschier
Iskandar إسكندر R. Sharazuddin it is a British-Bruneian theatre artist. He is an Associate at Headlong Theatre and the Joint Artistic Director of Ellandar Productions, a British East and Southeast Asian (BESEA) theatre company producing new writing and work by and about a BESEA lived experience.
An award-winning writer, he received the Tony Craze Playwriting Award from Soho Theatre and has been long-listed for the Bruntwood Playwriting Prize and shortlisted for the Off West End Adopt a Playwright. https://www.headlong.co.uk/iskandar-r-sharazuddin
Martha Pailing is a writer, spoken word and performance artist. Her writing often blends personal material with fictional characters to create absurd and tender narratives. Website – https://www.marthapailing.com
