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
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 – Depute CEO
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.
During Amanda’s tenure, she has spearheaded the establishment of the operational infrastructure, from setting up the office and implementing robust IT systems to orchestrating recruitment drives, procuring essential operational assets and establishing a licensed bar and kiosk. Such endeavours have culminated in the elevation of her role to include the position of Depute CEO.
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.
Technical & Production Manager
Matt’s career began 25 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. Matt had the task of overseeing the loose technical fit out at Lanternhouse across all 4 spaces, he picked thousands of pieces of equipment and claims to know exactly where they all are.
“Every day is just the right amount of different to keep me excited. It’s great to see familiar faces come back through our doors, be it technicians, designers, or cast. When you boil it down my role is about helping people, giving them the things they need to perform or participate, the result is usually something special, it’s nice to help make those things happen.”
Community Engagement Manager
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.
Marketing & Communications Manager
Rachel leads on brand and audience development while overseeing marketing and digital campaign planning. She previously worked for NYCOS, Scotland’s youth singing organisation, where she led marketing campaigns for choir recruitment, concerts and education conferences, and played a key role in delivering digital projects throughout the pandemic. Her earlier roles include positions with Out of the Darkness Theatre Company, Aberdeen Box Office (His Majesty’s Theatre, Music Hall, and the Lemon Tree), Northern Ireland Opera, and the Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast. She holds an MA in Arts Management from Queen’s University Belfast.
Rachel is also a pianist and Music graduate from the University of Aberdeen. She plays clarinet and saxophone in Glasgow-based bands including Glasgow Community Concert Band and the boisterous SambaYaBamba.
Front of House Manager
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.”
Customer Service & Cinema Manager
Lindsay studied for an NC in Technical Theatre at Telford College followed by a BA in Drama and Theatre Arts at Queen Margaret University, where she specialised in Playwriting. She worked at Cumbernauld Theatre’s previous home at the Cottage where she worked across Front of House, Box Office and the Café-bar.
Upon moving to Lanternhouse, Lindsay has been responsible for establishing and managing the box office department. More recently, she has taken on the role of Cinema Manager, curating and organising the cinema programme. Lindsay is enthusiastic about enhancing the cinema experience and is continuing this work incorporating a wider array of films and fostering greater community engagement opportunities. She previously worked at the Festival and Kings Theatres in Edinburgh for seven years, and held various posts including café and bar staff, box office and eventually Group Sales Supervisor.
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. She is still a keen writer and has worked with a number of companies to produce and develop her work.
Senior Finance Officer
Joanna brings a wide range of experience in finance to her role as Senior Finance Officer, where she meticulously oversees financial operations with an organised and methodical approach. A qualified Bookkeeper, Joanna’s background in finance spans the visual arts, social enterprises and charities. She has a passion for the arts, holding a BA Honours degree in Fine Art: Painting and Printmaking from The Glasgow School of Art. She cultivated a love for moving image and performance during an exchange at the Alberta College of Art and Design, Canada.
Joanna has also worked extensively in the rape crisis network in central Scotland, delivering crisis and ongoing support, and organising community events. She specialised in supporting survivors navigating the criminal justice system, and the asylum system, and she remains dedicated to anti-discrimination and mental health awareness. As the manager of our finance team, she is committed to socially engaged practice, and using her experience to support organisations to thrive.
Senior Theatre Technician: Lindsay McConnell
Theatre Technician: Gil Thomson
Assistant Front of House Manager: Rebecca McIntyre
Finance Officer: Karen Hart
Finance Assistant: Jeanette McBride
Management Assistant: Isabelle Corsie
Digital Marketing & Communications Assistant: Margot Law-McKay
Customer Service & Cinema Assistant: Lynn Hutcheson
Customer Service & Cinema Assistant: John Weatherston