Chelsey Gillard has been appointed as the new artistic director of Mildford Haven’s Torch Theatre, bringing with her a wealth of experience in theatre and creative engagement.
Chelsey Gillard has been appointed the new artistic creator, succeeding Peter Doran, who had a dedicated 25 years in the role. From 2019 to 2021, Gillard was the Carne Trust Associate Director at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, where she worked on the premiere production of Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s 85th play The Girl Next Door. She is a founding member of PowderHouse, the Company in the Residence at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff, and is also an Associate Artist of Chippy Lane Productions.
Gillard was born and raised in Bridgend, and her career started in The Other Room in Cardiff where she was a trainee director. She directed her first professional production, Constellation Street by Matthew Bulgo (co-directed with Dan Jones), which won Best Production in the English Language at the Wales Theatre Awards. Since then, she has been travelling around the UK and Wales directing multiple productions, such as Saethu Cwningod/Shooting Rabbits (PowderHouse, Sherman and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru), The Invisible Woman (WMC and Welsh tour), and The Burton Taylor Affair (Sherman and Oran Mor, Glasgow), and now she’s set to lead the artistic programme at one of Wales’ “most precious artistic resources”.
Commenting on her new role, Chelsey Gillard said:
“I am thrilled to be joining The Torch, I have long admired the work of this brilliant team and Peter Doran’s leadership. As the only regularly funded venue in Pembrokeshire, it has been a beacon of creativity and a vital hub for the community over the last 45 years. As we look forward, we will need to continue to innovate, finding new ways to reach out to audiences, participants and artists in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire and beyond. I am excited to lead this next chapter alongside Executive Director Benjamin Lloyd and the board.”
On Chelsey’s appointment, Rhys Sinnett, chair of the board of Torch Theatre, said: “We are delighted to welcome Chelsey to the torch family […] she will bring her ideas and artistic vision to the role and be focused on growing the youth theatre and community engagement as well as delivering her own programme of productions. We can’t wait for her to join us on this journey.”
To find out more about Chelsey Gillard follow her on Twitter.
To find out more about upcoming events at the Torch Theatre visit their website.
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