Job Ladder – Rachel Tackley

Director and Chief Executive, English Touring Theatre (2008 to date)

I have just taken over as Director of ETT where I have been Creative Producer (part-time) for the past two years. It represents the beginning of a new era for ETT and its also a bit of a ‘first’ – the first funded touring company to be led by a producer rather than a director of plays. My job is the same as any other artistic director, except that I produce rather than direct the company’s work.

It’s hugely exciting because I can work with different directors on any productions that I think we can find an audience for, but scary because I have to create all the opportunities and make them happen. The team here is fantastic though. We work extremely well together and they make it all possible – the only limitations are my imagination and budgets!

Chief Executive, Milton Keynes Theatre (2006–2008)

Mine is not an easy career path to follow. Until a few weeks ago, as well as being at ETT, I was also the Chief Executive of Milton Keynes Theatre (part-time), which is part of the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG). It is a 1,400 seater presenting house that must be one of the most commercially successful theatres in the country. I enjoyed working with a fantastic team, which, combined with the support from ATG, has given me a totally distorted view of how easy it is to run a hugely successful theatre on three days a week!

Head of Programming, Ambassador Theatre Group (2002–2006)

I was responsible for programming ATG’s ten regional venues with a mix of drama, dance, musicals, opera and ballet. It was a steep learning curve at first but it gave me a great overview of commercial theatre, both in the regions and the West End, which has been enormously valuable since. Whilst I was programming for ATG I also produced two shows as an independent producer – ‘Yellowman’ with Liverpool Theatres and ‘French Lieutenant’s Woman’ with Nick Brooke.

General Manager, then Producer, Shared Experience Theatre (1992–2002)

I started very much as a General Manager (setting up a new finance and admin system, etc.), then moved on to producing. I learnt a great deal about UK and international touring, as well producing in the West End. At first it was mostly guesswork and knowing the right people to ask, and it wasn’t until I had toured to every continent that I realised I had been there for ten years and it was about time I did something else!

Administrative Director, Albany Empire

I was only at the Albany for just over a year. I was asked to help draw up a rescue package as the company was in financial difficulty.

Finance Manager, Half Moon Theatre, London

When I was a student my ambition was to run the Half Moon Theatre. So when they advertised for a Finance Manager I applied, despite having no financial qualifications other than a maths ‘O level’. It soon became obvious that the finances of the theatre simply didn’t add up and we put the company into liquidation. I had the bizarre task of making myself (and my future husband) redundant, and we blew the lot on a holiday to Africa.

Administrator, Canal Café Theatre

In a small theatre above a pub in Little Venice, London, with the help of one other person and earning £15 per week, I did everything (programming, administration, front of house, box office, finance, lighting, sound…). It was a glorious time and a wonderful introduction to theatre. Highly recommended.