Today we announce that Director & Chief Executive, James Pidgeon, will leave Shoreditch Town Hall in June 2021 to take up the role of Executive Director at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
James became Director of Shoreditch Town Hall in April 2017 having originally joined the organisation as Producer in January 2013. Responsible for developing the Town Hall’s multi-artform programme, James has programmed over 240 productions and led collaborations with the likes of Battersea Arts Centre, Dance Umbrella, LIFT, Manchester International Festival, The Old Vic, Royal & Derngate and Talawa. Under James’ leadership, the non-regularly funded Town Hall has significantly increased its civic function and work in Hackney; heightened its arts development programmes (including partnering with Mountview on a new MA); had its first co-production transfer to the West End (The Wardrobe Ensemble’s Education, Education, Education); and achieved its highest core turnover since the Trust’s formation in 1998. James is on the Advisory Board of Theatre Re, and a Trustee of Theatre Royal Plymouth.
James said: “I could not be more delighted to be joining Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre as their new Executive Director, although with that comes great sadness to be leaving Shoreditch Town Hall. I have had the most wonderful and fulfilling 8 years with the organisation, and it has been a real privilege to work with the most incredible colleagues, artists, partners, audiences, funders, and supporters to make the Town Hall what it is today. However, the next chapter of the organisation’s growth and development requires new energy and a fresh perspective, and so now is the right time to hand over the STH baton to someone new.”
Shoreditch Town Hall’s Board of Trustees said: “We are tremendously grateful to James for his extraordinary vision and stewardship of Shoreditch Town Hall over the past 4 years. During his tenure, James secured the reputation of the Town Hall with a mixture of daring programming, innovative fundraising, and sound commercial acumen coupled with broad development opportunities for both the artistic and local communities. We wish him every success in his new role at the Open Air Theatre.”
The process to recruit a new Chief Executive will commence during the w/c 8 February 2021. Please e-mail jobs@shoreditchtownhall.com should you wish to be notified when the recruitment pack is available. All information will be posted on our Job Vacancies page soon.
