York theatre seeks trustees

The Joseph Rowntree Theatre is seeking trustees to fill three trustee vacancies for its management board. Voluntary roles, the trustees will support and help develop the theatre.

The Joseph Rowntree Theatre is seeking trustees to fill three trustee vacancies for its management board. Voluntary roles, the trustees will support and help develop the theatre.

The Joseph Rowntree Theatre Limited, the charity that runs and owns the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, has a trustee board of 14 directors who all take on specific responsibilities.  The theatre is seeking to recruit for the following roles:

• Community Engagement Director
• Finance Director
• Assistant Box Office Director

Working with the other trustees, the directors will have a significant influence on the future of the theatre.

Experience of being a trustee or working at a senior level is not needed. The role offers an excellent opportunity to develop and learn new skills and to give something back to the local community.

Asked what it means to be a trustee, four current theatre trustees gave their perspectives.

Graham, Community Engagement Director, and Trustee said, "Being a trustee is a very interesting and worthwhile experience because it allows you to apply everything you’ve learned in your career in an entirely different way. Understanding how to adapt your skills to useful ends and working with a great team of like-minded people gives you confidence in your abilities and helps your self-development."

Keith, Finance Director, and Trustee, said, "The role offers unique insights into the finances of a thriving community theatre – from front of house sales through hirer charges and supplier payments to profit and loss accounts and much else besides. You would be working as a member of a voluntary, but hands-on and supportive board of directors."

Helen, Box Office Director, and Trustee, said, "Whether it's a child dancing on our stage in their first ever performance, families sitting laughing together as they enjoy watching the panto, or friendships forged between volunteers as they learn new skills from selling tickets to operating lighting, there are always reminders of how important our theatre is to people in York when you spend time in our fabulous building, and that's the most rewarding element of being a trustee for me."

Dan, Chair of Trustees said, “Being a trustee of the theatre is very special. You get to see what theatre and performing means to people, for many it’s their first time performing. And I love hearing that ‘wow’ as audiences walk into the building for the first time. As a trustee you will work with a fantastic supportive team of volunteers. Having started as a trustee at 24 years old, I know how important it is to have a range of views and experiences within the trustee board, so don’t think it isn’t a role for you!”

For more information about the positions please visit the theatre’s website https://www.josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk/get-involved/trustees/

Or contact Dan Shrimpton, Chair of Trustees by email: dan.shrimpton@jrtheatre.co.uk or call the box office: 01904 501935 and leave your contact details for a call back.

View of Joseph Rowntree Theatre Auditorium from stage

The Joseph Rowntree Theatre was built by the Joseph Rowntree Village Trustees as a place for recreation and education for the benefit of Rowntree employees and the local community.  Seebohm Rowntree opened the theatre in 1935.  The theatre remains a vital community asset, run entirely by volunteers for the people of York.  There is a board of 14 trustees and over 170 other volunteers, who together give approximately 17,000 hours of volunteering time every year.  The theatre stages over 135 performances a year, put on by a core of more than 35 York-based groups in addition to several professional touring companies.

Website: josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk

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