NEWS: New Artist Development Producer announced

For the past five years, Amplify has provided a creative environment to nurture, develop and work with the wealth of theatre talent based The Midlands region. With the aim of positioning Nottingham Playhouse as a hub for local theatre makers, whether starting out, early on in their careers or with several years’ experience of creating their own professional work, the Amplify programme acts as a network of theatre-makers, where ideas can be shared, challenged and grown.

Beccy has been working freelance in various roles in theatre for over 15 years. Based in Nottingham and primarily an actor, she has moved into producing in the last 5 years, co-producing and project managing The Party Somewhere Else Festival in 2019 at Nottingham Playhouse, before setting up as an independent producer later that year. As an actor, Beccy has worked extensively in research and development of new shows with various nationally recognised companies, helping to develop scripts and stories with a multitude of writers. She has toured locally, regionally, nationally and internationally and has performed in spaces from local libraries to the West End, from village halls to International Festivals.

In her new role, Beccy will head up Amplify – curating, co-ordinating and administrating the artist development scheme, cultivating relationships with local talent, ensuring accessibility and diversity and working with Nottingham Playhouse’s Artistic Director, Adam Penford, to build and shape the programme. A key part of this will be overseeing the annual Amplify Festival – a celebration that showcases performances and early-stage ideas, of work created by the Amplify Artists, as well as hosting a range of workshops and discussions, plug in events, surgeries and workshops for those taking part.

Nottingham Playhouse Artistic Director Adam Penford says –

“We have long enjoyed a productive relationship with Beccy as a freelancer and we’re delighted she is joining the Playhouse team. She was our nominee for the Freelance Taskforce during the pandemic and we know her to be a committed, informed and passionate advocate for the arts and artists.

Amplify has supported hundreds of local artists since it was established five years ago, playing a vital role in the local theatre ecology. Alongside free workshops, one-on-one advice sessions and open auditions, Amplify has created employment opportunities for regional theatre makers, through a series of open callouts for creative roles. For example, local writer, Samson Hawkin’s play, Village Idiot, which was commissioned after Samson submitted the idea during Amplify’s Ideas Submission window, will premiere on the Main Stage in March.”

Beccy D’Souza says –

“As a creative producer my focus has been to amplify stories and voices which otherwise might be quieted. I’m so pleased to now be joining Nottingham Playhouse in a role that allows me to continue in that vein. Whilst I am all too aware this is a particularly challenging time to be working in theatre, I also know there’s a wealth of artistic talent in Nottingham and The Midlands, and I am looking forward to working to support, nurture and provide opportunities for development and networking to Amplify artists.”