Anthony is currently Director of Colchester Arts Centre. The venue promotes an eclectic mix of performance arts with a bias towards new work, innovation, experimentation. Under his leadership the Arts Centre presents a multitude of genres including theatre, jazz, folk, comedy, children’s shows, world music, rock and pop, film and live art amongst other art forms. The venue also acts as the UK producer for Reverend Billy and The Church of Stop Shopping, the New York based activist and performance collective.
There is a particular emphasis on diversity and inclusion throughout the organisation. The venue has hosted Frozen Light performances and provided rehearsal space over recent years.
He acted as the interim managing director at Firstsite Gallery for contemporary visual arts in 2015. During this time visitor figures mushroomed and community engagement was placed at centre stage in the operation. He led the talent development project Escalator East To Edinburgh between 2000 – 2014. The scheme was in the forefront of advocating and agitating for better facilities for deaf disabled artists and audiences throughout the Fringe.
He was chair of Essex Dance for 10 years, he also sits on the board of performance artist Bobby Baker. Previously he worked at Salisbury Arts Centre as marketing manager and Old Bull Arts Centre (now Arts Depot) as a trainee in the press office. He graduated form Bristol University in 1982 with a joint hons degree in English and Drama.
Since she was a child, Sarah always dreamed of being an actress. Treading the boards with the likes of Juliet Stevenson, Judi Dench and Jude Law in fact, anyone whose forename began with a ‘J’. It seemed like her dreams were coming true when she was asked to form an important partnership in the creation of ‘Illusional Dimension’ with Jonathan Gower. Here, she was offered her first starring role as Magicians Assistant, with the bribe of getting her full equity card. After years of hard work playing to packed out theatres, holiday parks, pantos and cruise ships and a short stint as a children’s entertainer ‘Grumpy the Clown’ (no acting required) the dream came to an end. Sarah packed up her suitcase, put her travelling bag away and decided to undertake a law degree – you can see the connection – whilst also volunteering for Citizens Advice. During a period of 20 years Sarah climbed the greasy pole to senior operational and strategic management roles, only to slide back down again when she worked for CITB. After a longer than envisaged ‘career break’ acting as a trustee for Home-Start, she happened upon the excellent, dynamic and innovative Frozen Light.
Sarah is now training as an Adult Clinical Psychologist (which may come in handy) and as the Frozen Light Company Secretary, is looking forward to dealing with the organisations compliance, policy and procedural adherence as well as getting her personality back.
Nic is a qualified accountant having trained with a Big 4 practice. With four and a half years’ experience in audit Nic then followed his passion and transitioned into the International Development sector, currently working as the International Financial Accountant for Crown Agents. Nic works to ensure best financial practice and compliance across the broad spectrum of countries that Crown Agents operate in around the globe to help Crown Agents achieve its goal of accelerating self-sufficiency and prosperity.
Having met Amber and Lucy at a trustee event Nic was taken aback by the unique and incredible work that Frozen Light delivers. He joins the Board with great excitement to help Frozen Light create special experiences for its audiences and realise its growing ambitions for the future.
Nic’s aim is to make the world a better place one spreadsheet at a time. When he gets away from Excel he is a keen swimmer, likes to run and read about the past.
Sharon is passionate about access to multi-sensory theatre, her teenage daughter Lauren has PMLD and both Lauren and Sharon enjoy being part of the Frozen Light audience as much as possible. Sharon works for a global events company which, along with Lauren’s younger brother Joseph, keeps her very busy. She is a keen fundraiser and does this by running marathons, the London Marathon is her favourite!