Following a major restructure earlier in the year, Hackney Empire today announces the new senior management team with Jo Hemmant as Executive Director and Yamin Choudury taking up the role of Director of Artistic Programme.
The pair will work together with the Hackney Empire team to maintain a vibrant and resilient organisation that embraces current and future challenges and opportunities to serve its audience and community. Their aim will be to build upon the achievements of the theatre in recent years, developing ambitious programmes that acknowledge Hackney Empire's legacy of championing diverse creativity and nurturing the next generation of artists and audiences.
Jo Hemmant has been at Hackney Empire since 2012 as Director of Operations and Deputy CEO. More recently she has been acting Chief Executive of the theatre. Prior to this, she was a producer at London 2012 Festival (as part of the Cultural Olympiad). After twelve years as theatre officer at Arts Council England leading on the development of disability and deaf theatre, she worked at Improbable and as a freelance producer with such companies and artists as Theatre Centre, 20 Stories High, Mat Fraser, Clerkin Works and Fingersmiths. She started her career as an actor, touring nationally and internationally for a range of companies.
Yamin Choudury first worked at Hackney Empire in 2003, most recently as Executive Producer of Creative Learning since 2017. With a background in inclusive theatre, his work is primarily based around the concept that everyone has something to share, but not all have the ability to share it. An award-winning arts practitioner and workshop director, he has, for over ten years, been supporting the next generation of creative producers and artists to discover and assert their voice. His previous roles have included Creative Director of International Village in Australia and China and Youth Theatre Director of Haringey Shed.
The programme over the next few months includes a collaboration with the Royal Opera House on Mamzer, visits by Russell Brand and David O'Doherty, Lesley Garrett in Welsh National Opera's Rhondda Rips it Up, this year's annual pantomime, Aladdin, as well as the dynamic Youth Programme working with thousands of young people throughout the year. The RSC's current acclaimed production of Hamlet runs until 31 March.
Chair of the Trustees Delphine Brand says "The board of trustees are very excited about the appointments of Jo and Yamin who combine years of experience with tremendous dedication to Hackney Empire and its wider community. Together, they embody the values of quality, diversity and engagement that Hackney Empire stands for. We look forward to the new creative impulse they will undoubtedly spark together."
Jo Hemmant says "I am delighted to be taking up the position of Executive Director at Hackney Empire. I have had the privilege of working with an extraordinary and dedicated team at Hackney Empire over the last 5 years delivering work of excellence and entertainment. It is with great pride and pleasure that I take up the position to lead this team with Yamin Choudury, Artistic Director of Programming, and our Board on the next stage of Hackney Empire's exciting journey."
Yamin Choudury says "Hackney Empire has been a constant presence in my life since I was 18 years old and has a powerful legacy of supporting and nurturing the next generation of creatives and artists to have not only a better understanding of the industry, but also to have the tools and knowledge to create potent and definite impact. I have been able to learn from and work with some of the best and I look forward to now working alongside an incredible team to ensure that Hackney Empires' ethos of diversity, understanding and community, being at the heart of the organisations creative process, is able to flourish."
For more information about the programme and the new positions -
www.hackneyempire.co.uk
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