James Pidgeon Appointed Director of Shoreditch Town Hall

Shoreditch Town Hall today announces the appointment of James Pidgeon as its new Director. He is currently Deputy Director of the venue and previously held the role of Programme Manager and Producer. He replaces Nick Giles who is leaving to pursue new consulting and leadership opportunities in the arts and third sector.

James Pidgeon said today, "It is an absolute honour to be given the opportunity to lead Shoreditch Town Hall during the next chapter of its journey, building on the vision and huge success of what Nick has achieved over the last five years. I'm incredibly excited for this next stage of the adventure as we further explore the possibilities that this unique building presents and inspires every day, creating bold and imaginative new work with a range of artists, broadening our artistic output for both new and existing audiences, heightening our national profile and reach, and further strengthening our role within the local Hackney community. With an open mind and collaborative spirit, I look forward to working with the enormously talented and dedicated Town Hall team to continue breathing the life back into this building that it deserves."

Nick Giles said today, "James is a unique talent and having worked alongside him for over four years I can think of no one better, or anyone I'd have more confidence in, to lead the Town Hall and continue its development. I look forward to supporting him in his vision for our wonderful building as he takes it into new and exciting territory."

Chair of the Board of Trustees, Stephen Robertson, said "The Trustees and I are thrilled to welcome James into the role of Director at Shoreditch Town Hall. His vision and exceptional artistic capabilities have been a critical driving force in the development of the organisation to date. We are delighted to have secured his talents to lead us forward in the journey that will take the Town Hall to further heights of success."

James Pidgeon is currently Deputy Director at Shoreditch Town Hall having started with the organisation as Programme Manager and Producer in January 2013. During his time at the Town Hall, he has held responsibility for managing the multi-artform programme as well as all artist development and learning and engagement activity, and producing the likes of Nigel Barrett & Louise Mari's Basement Grotto, Andrew Schneider's YOUARENOWHERE (with LIFT and the Gate Theatre, Notting Hill) and the Town Hall's recent productions of Philip Ridley's The Pitchfork Disney and Killer, both directed by Jamie Lloyd. Previously he assisted on the producing of the Watch This Space Festival and Platforms programme at the National Theatre, working with a range of artists and companies from across the world including Circa, WildWorks, Compañía Markeliñe, NoFit State Circus, Compagnie Luc Amoros and Gandini Juggling. Prior to that, he worked at Battersea Arts Centre and also spent three years supporting the Southwark Community Projects team with the delivery of Globe Education's Our Theatre and A Concert for Winter at Shakespeare's Globe. He regularly undertakes guest lectures in producing and arts management at the likes of Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, Royal Holloway, University of London, and the University of Surrey.

About Shoreditch Town Hall:
Over the past five years, Shoreditch Town Hall has established itself as vital, non-traditional arts and live events space on the London cultural map: a unique home for original and adventurous arts and artists from across the world, and a flagship venue for Hackney. With a focus on emerging talent and site-responsive performance, the building has become a vibrant home for original and ambitious theatre and performance, welcoming 27,000 audiences and supporting up to 100 artists and 8 new commissions every year.

Built in 1865 and occupying a huge 46,500 sq ft, Shoreditch Town Hall was for over 100 years one of the grandest Vestry Halls in the city. It ceased to be a home for local government during the 1960s and since 2005 has been a fully independent venue. From the magnificent Victorian grandeur of the Assembly Hall and Council Chamber to the warren of untouched, atmospheric basement spaces the building includes eight performance spaces ranging from 40 to 800 capacity.

Shoreditch Town Hall has never received revenue funding, supporting on average 90% (£350,000) of its arts and community programme annually through earned income, supplemented by smaller project grants. Since 2012 it has also raised and invested £2.3m to transform the building's in-house audience and production facilities, bringing back to full use its 750 capacity Assembly Hall - the largest purpose built auditorium in Shoreditch - as a public space, as well as installing two lifts to significantly improve access.

The artistic programme at Shoreditch Town Hall is made possible by the generous support of Old Possums Practical Trust, The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation & Arts Council England.

www.shoreditchtownhall.com

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