Jenny Brown
At the time of doing ShowStarter Jenny was employed but not in her chosen field. Jenny attended 62% of the ShowStarter sessions between January 2007 and June 2007.
Jenny started a trainee producer scheme with PANDA and alongside this attended the ShowStarter sessions, she was able to take the skills gained in ShowStarter and apply them to her new role.
Jenny says:
"My experience of ShowStarter has been a thoroughly positive one. As a trainee producer it provided comprehensive information on a wide variety of topics relevant to my working field and acted as a point of support to compliment and prepare me for my practical experiences in producing. I found the timing and regularity of the seminars and master classes particularly useful as they served as a reference point for any practical problems I encountered or gaps in my knowledge whilst working with Running to Paradise Theatre Company. I also found that the level the classes were pitched at suited me as an introduction to arts business development and have given me a good foundation from which to launch a career in the field.
"I have made very good networks as a result of attending ShowStarter and have felt comfortable and confident to return to several seminar speakers for further advice.
"I have gained a good working knowledge of project management, refreshed my knowledge of standard marketing theory, and have had the invaluable insight into meeting and hearing the experiences of professionals in the field.
"The most useful aspect of ShowStarter is its provision as a forum to share and trial ideas and experiences, particularly with workshop leaders who have a long history and working knowledge of the arts sector. It has also made me aware of the level of business support I can personally offer artists and has given me the confidence to pursue a career in the arts.”
Jenny is currently working as Marketing Officer for Merseyside Dance Initiative and is still working as part of the PANDA Producers Consortium.