CITIZENS THEATRE APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Citizens has appointed an Executive Director to work alongside Artistic Director Dominic Hill to secure future success for the Glasgow theatre.

JUDITH KILVINGTON, currently Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive Officer of Graeae Theatre Company, will take up post in July 2013.

Graeae Theatre Company is renowned as a force for change in the performing arts, boldly championing the inclusion of Deaf and disabled people in theatre and placing disabled artists centre stage. The pioneering company gained a global profile when its Artistic Director co-directed the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony and won the Promotion of Diversity Award at the 2012 TMA Theatre Awards UK.

During her ten years at Graeae, Judith raised the profile of the company across the sector in creating accessible theatre and access for disabled artists and audiences. From 2007-2009 she managed Graeae’s £2.6m capital project to find a new home for the company. The award-winning Bradbury Studios placed disabled artists at the heart of its approach to the design and won the “Best Project up to 2,000m²” at the prestigious British Council for Offices (BCO) National Awards in 2010.  Following the appointment of Graeae’s Artistic Director Jenny Sealey as Co-Director of the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, Judith took over as sole CEO, overseeing a programme of work that included the national tour of the hit musical Reasons to be Cheerful, the large scale outdoor epic Prometheus Awakes, and The Garden as part of the Unlimited Festival.

On announcing the appointment Professor Adrienne Scullion, Chair of the Citizens Theatre Board said:
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Judith Kilvington as the new Executive Director of the Citizens Theatre. Judith shares our vision for a theatre that produces inspirational artistic work that is accessible to all and engages a diverse range of artists and audiences. She brings financial management and administrative expertise as well as the unique experience of leading Graeae and contributing to its reputation as leaders in the field. I am confident that Judith will be a great addition to our team and will work effectively with Artistic Director Dominic Hill to ensure continued success for the Citizens Theatre.”

Dominic Hill, Artistic Director said:
“I very much look forward to working with Judith as we enter an exciting period at the Citizens in our preparations for the year of the Commonwealth Games in 2014, our 70 year anniversary in 2015 and the start of our Capital Project in 2016 which will see the most significant redevelopment and refurbishment of the theatre building since it opened. Together we will work hard to continue to extend the reputation of the Citizens Theatre as one of the UK’s leading theatre companies.”

Judith Kilvington said:
“I am thrilled to be joining the team at the Citizens Theatre and working with Dominic as the theatre prepares for some very significant projects on the horizon. I have been lucky enough to lead Graeae jointly over the past six years and the company has moved from the margins of theatre to placing disabled artists centre stage in mainstream venues and festivals across the UK. I shall bring that knowledge and experience to the Citizens Theatre knowing that these values are very much part of the Citizens core beliefs of providing the best quality work for all members of its diverse communities.”

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Alison Martin, Head of Marketing & Communications: 0141 418 6235 / .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Return to Press