Leadership Update and Next Steps

It’s been an enormous privilege to lead Cumbernauld Theatre through one of the most transformative chapters in its history. Embarking on a mission to leave behind the Cottage Theatre and launch Lanternhouse from raising funds for capital fit-out to designing the systems and processes that underpin our daily operations, this journey has always been about building something bold, inclusive, and community-driven. 

Together, we have launched an original cinema programme, expanded our community engagement and live performance programme, and developed an innovative collaborative theatre producing model that places artists, staff, and local voices at the heart of professional performance development. 

While recent months have been challenging, recognising the need for change and welcoming in the new Interim CEO Patricia Stead and a task force led by Jim Hollington marks an important and positive next step. I feel confident that I am leaving the organisation with the capacity to work successfully with key stakeholders Creative Scotland and North Lanarkshire Council and secure the long-term future of the Theatre. 

I leave with enormous pride in what we’ve built – a creative, open-hearted organisation committed to empowering people through the arts. I know the team will continue to take that work forward with integrity and imagination, and I will always be cheering Cumbernauld Theatre on.

Sarah Price, CEO

Cumbernauld Theatre Trust is an indisputably vital resource for its communities and an important contributor to the broader theatre ecology in Scotland. The respect and affection for its work has been strongly demonstrated in the outpouring of support from audiences, the arts sector, across the political spectrum and from its local community. This Theatre means so much to so many and its future currently hangs in the balance. I look forward to joining the excellent and very experienced team and working with them to harness its award-winning reputation, its passionate support and its vision for its future in order for us all to enjoy its success for many years to come.

Patricia Stead

We are delighted that someone of the calibre and with the enormous experience that Patricia has is able to join and lead the organisation through this period. We have accepted that our application for multi-year funding was not successful, and we understand the reasons why and that this decision will not be changed. However, we still believe, and we know that our communities rely on the belief, that there could be a brilliant future for this organisation. One in which it continues the vital and longstanding work it has been delivering with and for its important communities. We are working with a team of external experts led by Jim Hollington to support us in exploring the possible models and ways forward to secure a successful and vibrant future for this organisation.

Alan Caldwell, Chair