Liz O'Neill
PANDA Director
Liz's experience and particular specialisation of working with emerging artists made her the obvious candidate to take on the task of establishing PANDA as an integral part of today’s burgeoning performing arts sector in Manchester.
With over 20 years experience in management within the performing arts, she hasn't followed any traditional career path. Although graduating from Liverpool with a BA in Drama and English, her working life began as a volunteer usher at Unity theatre, working her way up through box office, catering and bar work, and casual Front of House roles (alongside a few exploratory forays into the world of small-scale touring theatre, working with a number of emerging companies in an administrative capacity, including some time managing Cabaret and Punk bands) before finally leaving Unity for a year as Front of House Manager at York Arts Centre.
Whilst undergoing this baptism by fire, she maintained links with Unity by taking the role offered on their Board of Management. The year in York was definitely a steep learning curve, but equipped her well enough to gain the post of Administrative Director at Unity when the position became vacant (having resigned from her role on the Board).
Liz spent 5 successful and happy years as Unity's Administrative Director, before leaving to seek fame and fortune in London with her newly established Theatre Company, Art Bandit.
Art Bandit eventually brought Liz to Manchester in 1997, where she soon found additional work as Finance Director of the Green Room. When the Green Room obtained a new late-night licence, Liz was given the job of programming the events. Freelance and consultancy work soon came and added to her work schedule, including devising and implementing a Development Plan and fundraising for Peshkar, enabling them to secure a permanent staff team. Peshkar is now widely recognised as one of the most vital South Asian Performing Arts Theatre Companies in the country.
Liz also spent some of her most enjoyable years as Producer of the Contact's At Home Residency Scheme for Emerging artists, working with and being inspired by many local artists including Company Fierce, Tracey Elizabeth, Sonia Hughes and Ikebana Performance, producing Skittish again for the latter to open Contact's Autumn season, resulting in a Manchester Evening News Theatre Award nomination for Best New Play.
Liz thoroughly enjoys her work, regretting only that there are too many people with so many good ideas, and not enough time. When she does find spare time, you can guarantee to find her striding the hills (or at least the park) with her Springer Spaniel, Henna.
Contact Liz O'Neill on 0161 274 0629 or email liz@panda-arts.org.uk.