Press Release: 27.10.14
For immediate release
A new Manager for Blue Apple Theatre
Blue Apple Theatre, Winchester’s award winning charity for people with learning disabilities, has
been able to employ its first full-time manager, thanks to a grant from The Big Lottery. Louisa
Milburn arrives from Leicester where she worked alongside the late Lord Attenborough as the
Director of Embrace Arts at the Richard Attenborough Centre.
Louisa brings a wide range of skills and knowledge to her new role. She explained, ‘I’ve worked in
a variety of arts and cultural organisations, from theatre companies to orchestras and venues.’
Louisa even worked for the UK’s only horse-drawn theatre company.
‘Most recently I ran the University of Leicester’s arts centre which focused on inclusion,’ said
Louisa. ‘I had the extraordinary opportunity to work with founding Patron Lord Attenborough.
Richard was passionate about high quality arts for everyone. His vision was for a place where
disabled people were fundamentally included, where disability was not viewed as a negative,
where everyone could thrive.’
Jane Jessop, founder of Blue Apple Theatre, said, ‘We are delighted that someone of Louisa
Milburn's calibre has joined Blue Apple. She brings a breadth of knowledge and experience that will
help Blue Apple to continue to develop, thrive and grow to even greater heights.’
Louisa said, ‘I’m extremely excited about my new job at Blue Apple. It’s a role that combines my
passion for arts and disability with my professional cultural leadership experience.’
Blue Apple Theatre provides a range of drama and dance workshops for people with learning
disabilities, developing their talents and creating accessible and exciting work that has toured the
UK. It recently received five years’ funding support from The Big Lottery specifically to enable it to
make this appointment and expand its activities into new areas.
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact Louisa Milburn manager@blueappletheatre.com or 07510
844480
www.blueappletheatre.com
The Tower at Kings’ School, Romsey Road, Winchester SO22 5PW
About Blue Apple Theatre
Blue Apple Theatre is a highly ambitious theatre company which brings all the benefits of taking
part in theatre to performers who have learning disabilities and enables them to present high
quality productions to the widest possible audience in a variety of large and small scale
productions, touring theatre and film.
Blue Apple Theatre believes that direct involvement in the arts greatly helps in the building of a
more inclusive and equal society. Founded in 2005, it uses the skills and enhanced confidence
gained through performing on stage as an opportunity for raising the ceiling of expectation for
people with learning disabilities. It aims to help its members achieve their social, personal and
theatrical potential through the challenge of appearing on stage in public performance. It is
dependent on the excellent work of our many volunteers to achieve this.