Our company management style is collaborative, with strategic development and operational work plans conceived and developed, monitored and reviewed through a structure of teams.
CEO
Appointed May 2018 as Executive Director, promoted to CEO in August 2020
Sarah trained as an Actress specialising in the Classics at Rose Bruford and worked as an actress before undertaking an Arts Management BA (Hons) and embarking on a 20 year career in arts development. She was Arts Development Officer for West Lothian Council specialising in Capital Development, Arts Programming, Community Partnership Projects and Public Art, before moving into CEO position with Edinburgh Printmakers where she provided Artistic and Curatorial leadership focusing on artistic excellence in printmaking, led a £10.5m Capital project, developed all aspects of the organisation including brand awareness, digital innovations, International programming and commercial development.
Her role with Cumbernauld Theatre was initially to develop fundraising and support the organisation’s capital project before taking the broader CEO position with full organisational responsibilities.
“My focus and ambition for Cumbernauld Theatre is definitely inspired by the incredible history of the charity as an organisation truly embedded in the community developing socially engaged performances of the highest professional standards, I value the importance of the Theatre to the health and wellbeing of the people of Cumbernauld and have enormous faith in what we can achieve together creatively, culturally to make our society a better place”.
Operations Director
Appointed March 2020
Following study in Edinburgh, for a BA in Book Publishing /Literature, Amanda worked for the NHS assisting in the delivery of clinical audit, followed by a period with SCRAN (Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network – one of the largest educational online services in the UK) to digitise materials representing material culture and history.
During a 22-year term managing Howden Park Centre, a multi-disciplinary community arts venue in West Lothian, delivering thousands of live performances, music, dance and drama, and assisting in the organisation of outdoor festivals including Party at the Palace in Linlithgow, Amanda also managed Linlithgow Burgh Halls, Bathgate Regal Community Theatre, and Craigsfarm Campus, and was heavily involved with a £9m 3-arts-venue capital program to improve the arts facilities and services in West Lothian.
Hobbies include Chairing Newyearfield Farm Community Centre Management Committee for over 25 years, starting and developing local youth/junior clubs, arranging annual open days. As an active member of Livingston Rotary Club, Amanda served 3 years as District RYLA Officer, a Youth Leadership Award scheme offered to Local children. Amanda is also a First Responder for West Lothian Council.
Creative Producer
Appointed October 2022
Fraser has worked in the theatre from a very young age in various capacities as a performer, director, writer, and producer across Scotland. Having grown up in Cumbernauld himself, Fraser is delighted to be working at the theatre to manage the delivery of in-house productions, supporting and developing companies in residence, and leading the artistic programming of the venue.
As a strong advocate for youth engagement in the arts, Fraser has previously held youth advisory positions with the National Theatre of Scotland and Macrobert Arts Centre. He has also served as a director of See Think Make CIC and Chair of Young Enterprise Scotland Forth Valley & Glasgow Regional Boards. In 2016, Fraser was appointed as one of ‘Scotland’s brightest young theatre-makers’ by Youth Theatre Arts Scotland as part of their Young Arts Leaders programme.
Fraser is a graduate of Edinburgh Napier University in Business & Enterprise and was appointed as Scotland’s youngest Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce in 2016.
Fraser is passionate about his responsibility to support and nurture both emerging and experienced professional creative talent in Scotland and develop the role that Cumbernauld Theatre plays as a leading voice in the national conversation about theatrical innovation and artistic practice. As a former Cumbernauld resident, he is uniquely placed to design and develop an artistic programme that is reflective, responsive, and inspiring to the local community whilst engaging with new and diverse audiences.
Alongside his work at Cumbernauld Theatre, Fraser is the Founder and Artistic Director of Cumbernauld Musical Theatre Society, works as a freelance Creative & Musical Director specialising in Musical Theatre across Scotland, and leads Limelight Youth Academy in Fife for aspiring young performers.
Technical & Production Manager
Matt’s career began 20 years ago in live music. He studied Sound Engineering at North Glasgow College and went on to work in recording studios, radio and audio post-production.
He returned to live sound and theatre in 2013 as Technician at the Regal Community Theatre in Bathgate. In 2017 he joined the team at Platform as Technical Production Lead, before moving to Cumbernauld Theatre in the summer of 2019 as Technical and Production Manager in the final season in the Cottage Theatre. As Technical and Production Manager Matt is responsible for the sound, lighting and audio visuals across the venue.
Marketing & Communications Manager
Appointed May 2022
Rachel joined Cumbernauld Theatre from NYCOS, Scotland’s youth singing organisation, where she worked for five years leading on marketing campaigns and playing a central role in the organisation’s digital projects throughout the pandemic. She previously worked for Out of the Darkness Theatre Company and the Box Office for Aberdeen’s His Majesty’s Theatre, Music Hall and the Lemon Tree. She developed her earlier experience in with Northern Ireland Opera and the Queen’s Film Theatre whilst studying for an MA in Arts Management at Queen’s University Belfast.
Rachel is also a pianist and Music graduate from the University of Aberdeen and plays clarinet and saxophone in Glasgow-based bands including the boisterous SambaYaBamba. The troupe is part of a wider charitable organisation of which she sits on the Board of Trustees.
Community Engagement Manager
Appointed September 2021
Mark joined Cumbernauld Theatre Trust with over 22 years of diverse community engagement experience in the arts and cultural sector. Mark has worked as freelance Community Artist, Youth Participation Worker, Drama Artist, Out of Schools Arts Coordinator, Arts Development Officer, Performing Arts Development Officer, Family Support Worker, Senior Arts Officer and Development Manager. He has developed his community engagement practise working with organisations including Glasgow City Council, Citizens Theatre, East Ayrshire Youth Theatre, East Renfrewshire Council, Gorbals Youth and Community Theatre, Renfrewshire Arts, South Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture and West Lothian Council. Mark has BA Hons Degree in Community Arts from University of Strathclyde and undertook an MA in Arts, Festivals and Cultural Management at Queen Margaret University.
Mark aspires to embed the communities of Cumbernauld into the heart of the new Cumbernauld Theatre and Cumbernauld Theatre into the heart of the communities of Cumbernauld, contributing to the process to develop Cumbernauld Theatre as an exciting and relevant arts and cultural hub for Cumbernauld and North Lanarkshire.
Customer Service & Cinema Manager
Appointed June 2021
Lindsay completed an NC in Technical Theatre at Telford College before studying Drama and Theatre Arts at Queen Margaret University, where she specialised in Playwriting. She is still a keen writer and has worked with a number of companies to produce and develop her work.
Lindsay previously worked in many different departments at the Festival and Kings Theatres in Edinburgh, including café and bar staff, box office and eventually Group Sales Supervisor where she managed, organised and developed the team selling tickets to all groups. She then moved to Cumbernauld Theatre’s previous home at the Cottage where she worked across Front of House, Box Office and the Café-bar.
Lindsay has worked for over 13 years with an Edinburgh based Youth Theatre to deliver weekly workshops and a Summer Drama project for young people. During Lockdown 2020 she became involved with a local charity, Diamonds in the Community, who reached out to those who were vulnerable, isolating or shielding to help with their needs. Lindsay continues to volunteer with them as they set-up an Airdrie based Baby Bank.
Front of House Manager
Appointed May 2023
Laura has a BA Honours Degree in Festival, Events and Hospitality management and brings a wealth of first-class customer service experience gained from twelve years’ experience working at The Gleneagles Hotel and Hilton Hotels in Front of House and Guest Experience Management roles.
Laura is also an Associate member with the Scottish Dance Teachers Alliance. Dancing has always been a passion of hers from the age of three years old. Laura trained in Highland, Tap, Ballet and Jazz. She has had many amazing opportunities through dancing. She was a performer in the opening ceremony of the Glasgow Commonwealth games in 2014 and has travelled all over including the St Gallen Tattoo in Switzerland.
Being from Cumbernauld Laura is looking forward to her role in leading the Front of House Team here at Lanternhouse.
“I believe I share the same vision, mission and values of the Cumbernauld Theatre Trust and I know the skills and experiences I’ve gained through work, life and hobbies can help make Lanternhouse the outstanding place for theatre, cinema, music, comedy and dance in our local community. I would very much like to create a team that thrives in their surroundings whilst making an impact on the community surpassing customer expectations.”
Senior Finance Officer
Appointed November 2022
Finance Assistant
Appointed May 1997
Jeanette started in the Cumbernauld Theatre 23 years ago, initially working in the box office where she enjoyed the fast pace of the busy show schedule and getting to know customers. Thereafter, Jeanette moved into finance and administration and has enjoyed learning some new skills. Over the years Jeanette has made a lot of happy memories and good friends working at Cumbernauld Theatre.
Management Assistant