Our mission and what we do
Sherman Cymru aims to make and present great theatre that is ambitious, inventive and memorable for
its audiences, and to create strong, responsive and enriching relationships with its communities.
The company strives to create the best theatre it can; to achieve a distinct and diverse programme for
audiences; to engage its communities in the creative process of theatre making; and to make a lasting
contribution to the national and international development of theatre in Wales. Central to the work we
do are commitments to develop and champion the work of Welsh and Wales-based writers, to foster
the involvement of young people in the experience of theatre and to actively encourage the
development of emerging artists of the next generation.
We produce work in both English and Welsh, and tour widely within Wales and the UK.
Company background and achievements
Sherman Cymru was formed in 2007 through the merger of the Sherman Theatre Company and Sgript
Cymru, the new writing development company that was based at Chapter. Sherman Cymru is a
registered charity with limited liability status and receives revenue funding from the Arts Council of
Wales and Cardiff Council.
Since Sherman Cymru’s formation, the company has made a significant mark on the development of
theatre in Wales. With highlights including was the company’s production of Deep Cut by Phillip
Ralph, which garnered multiple awards including the Amnesty International Freedom of Expression
Award 2008, a Fringe First Award 2008 and the Herald Angel Award 2008; and Llwyth by Dafydd
James which toured Wales, the UK and visited the Taipei Arts Festival, Taiwan in 2012.
“Startling depth … a powerful, gratifyingly enigmatic play” The Guardian ****
The Guardian on Llwyth by Dafydd James
In February 2012 the Sherman Theatre building re-opened following a two-year, £6.5 million
redevelopment. Public and backstage facilities have been transformed to provide audiences and
participants with a building that reflects the spirit and energy of Sherman Cymru. The redeveloped
building has:
-
Refurbished auditoria (a 460 seat main house and a 120 seat studio space)
Vastly improved public facilities
Enhanced rehearsal and production facilities, with a new double-height rehearsal room
Excellent access through the vast majority of the building
“A thoroughly enjoyable re-making of an old Christmas favourite that really does justice to the
superbly refurbished Sherman, and re-establishes a much-loved Sherman tradition for staging
enjoyable Christmas shows.”
Wales Online on Rob Evans’ Peter Pan, 2012 – Sherman Cymru’s first Christmas Show in the
redeveloped building.
Our aspirations are to achieve:
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Ticket sales of 50,000 at Sherman Cymru each year
Participatory attendances of 13,000 each year
A comprehensive touring programme that continues to see our work regularly performed at other
venues around Wales and the UK.
And, to secure and consolidate:
-
A healthy in-house production programme
A visiting company programme that features exemplary small and middle scale work created in
Wales and the UK, and leading international work
A thriving Creative Learning programme, with Sherman Cymru Youth Theatre and production
related outreach at its core, and a range of partnership activity happening within the city
A leading position for the company within the theatre sector in Wales, with a strong endorsement
of the company’s work in developing and producing new work by Welsh and Wales based writers
Meaningful and long term relationships with education and community based organisations whose
work we would like to promote within our programme
An enhanced international position with regular collaborations taking place and an active
involvement in appropriate international networks.
“My first memory and experience of going to the theatre was at the Sherman Theatre, so the place
means a lot to me... I hope the theatre will excite, educate and inspire many more generations in
years to come as it did me all those years ago.”
Matthew Rhys, Actor
JOB TITLE:
Creative Learning Assistant (BIG Lottery)
RESPONSIBLE TO:
Head of Creative Learning & Creative Learning Associate
KEY WORKING
RELATIONSHIPS:
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Staff within the Creative Learning team
Freelance and short contract personnel working on Creative Learning
(BIG Lottery) projects
There are currently no support staff allocated to this post
To support the administration and co-ordination of Sherman Cymru‘s Creative Learning BIG Lottery
activity, working closely with colleagues in the Creative Learning team to ensure the delivery of a
wide ranging programme of participatory outreach and community projects funded by the BIG
Lottery.
The BIG Lottery Fund has awarded Sherman Cymru a grant of £211,395 towards developing their
Creative Learning programme and engagement with young people and communities in disadvantaged
areas across Cardiff and South Wales over the next 3 years. The BIG Lottery Fund grant will be used
towards key projects, such as a new Creative Writing in Schools programme, a new inclusive youth
theatre for young people with and without disabilities, bespoke school projects to develop an
involvement in the arts, a peer facilitation programme, and intergenerational work bringing young and
older people together.
JOB PURPOSE:
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
1.
Administrative support for all BIG Lottery Funded projects to both the Head of Creative
Learning & the Creative Learning Associate
2.
Answering telephone and e-mail enquires, giving advice and information to the public
and partners about the BIG Lottery projects
3.
Administrative co-ordination of Creative Learning BIG Lottery activity
4.
Financial management of designated Creative Learning BIG Lottery projects
5.
Co-ordinating and compiling evaluation and monitoring material for Creative Learning
BIG Lottery projects
6.
Database management for Creative Learning BIG Lottery activity
7.
Overseeing and Implementation of Good Practise relating to Licensing, Safeguarding
and care in this aspect where it relates to children and young people, vulnerable adults,
tutors or workshop leaders and ensure implementation of the Sherman Cymru Child
Protection Policy.
8.
Supporting the CL team involved with the BIG Lottery project, AND ensuring that
process is in place to inform and engage the understanding of Sherman staff in the
activities of the project
9.
To work with the Administrator in the coordination and issue of relevant contracts of
employment for the various short contract and freelance personnel engaged during the
project.
10.
To liaise with the various external partners, schools, and individuals, coordinate
meetings, visits and ensure the smooth running of related workshops and activities.
11.
Occasional creative support may be required for workshops and projects
It is a duty to abide by the current Equal Opportunities Statement and other Policy statements as detailed in
the Staff Handbook.
Note: You are employed as Creative Learning Assistant (BIG Lottery). However you may be asked to
perform other duties at the same grade and remuneration package and to the same total hours of
work. You will be given four weeks notice of any proposed changes in duties.
Creative Learning Assistant (BIG Lottery)
Person specification
Essential Criteria
-
Excellent administrative skills and attention to detail
-
A strong commitment to the work of the Creative Learning Team
-
A passion for theatre
-
A solid set of IT skills
-
A commitment to equal opportunities and cultural diversity
-
Ability to plan, manage time, prioritise and work on own initiative
-
Strong interpersonal skills, combined with enthusiasm and energy
-
A positive attitude to change and new ideas
-
A positive attitude and commitment to working within a team
-
A commitment to customer care
-
A commitment to engaging the public in arts based activities
DESIRABLE:
-
Knowledge of the Welsh language/or the ability to work through the medium of Welsh and
English
-
Experience of working within a community development or educational context
-
Experience of co-ordinating projects as well as ongoing activity
-
Financial management experience, or experience running project budgets
-
Experience with databases
-
Knowledge of current theatre practice in Wales
-
Knowledge of current National Curriculum in Wales
-
Experience within a producing theatre
-
Good experience of safeguarding, licensing and other issues relating to this area of good practise
Creative Learning Assistant (BIG Lottery)
Outline terms and conditions
Salary
£16,995 per annum (pro rata), fixed term to May 2016, paid monthly
Main place of work
Sherman Cymru, Cardiff
Hours per week
19.5 hours per week
Annual leave
28 days per annum (pro rata), including public holidays
Probationary period
Appointment will be subject to satisfactory completion of a six month
probationary period
Notice
One week during the probationary period, one month thereafter
Pension
The Company operates a Stakeholder Pension scheme with Legal &
General that all staff employed for three months or more are eligible
to join
Benefits
Childcare vouchers, complimentary tickets, discount in Sherman Café,
flexible working hours.
Guidance Notes for Applicants
The closing date for applications is Thursday 9 January 2014 at midday and interviews are scheduled to
take place on 16 or 17 January. Please note that we are only able to notify candidates who are
shortlisted for interview. We are hoping for the start date to be as close to 10 February as possible.
Please note that all applications must be submitted on a Sherman Cymru application form.
The application form is your opportunity to provide all the information that we need to help us
understand how you meet the requirements of the job. The form plays an important part in the
selection process, both as a tool for helping us to shortlist candidates for interview, and as a basis for
the interview itself. To ensure fairness to all applicants, any decision to shortlist you for interview will
be based solely upon the information you supply on your application form. Even if you are already
known to Sherman Cymru as a previous or current employee, it is important that you complete the
form in full and that you complete the Further Information section taking the Person Specification as a
guide to your responses.
Please remember that those involved in the selection process cannot guess or make assumptions about
you. Make sure you tell us everything relevant to your application and that you complete all the
sections on the form.
Don’t forget to proof-read your form and check for any errors before returning it to us. If you are
sending it by post, please remember to sign the form.
Data Protection
Information provided by you as part of your application will be used in the recruitment process. Any
data about you will be held securely with access restricted to those involved in dealing with your
application and in the recruitment process. Once this process is completed the data relating to
unsuccessful applicants will be stored for a maximum of 6 months and then destroyed. If you are the
successful candidate, your application form will be retained and form the basis of your personnel
record. By signing and submitting your completed application form you are giving your consent to
your data being stored and processed for the purposes of the recruitment process, equal opportunities
monitoring and your personnel record if you are the successful candidate.
We hope you find these notes helpful and good luck with your application.
Current staff list
Artistic Director: Rachel O’Riordan (in post from February 2014)
Executive Director: Margaret Jones
Associate Director: Róisín McBrinn
Associate Director (p/t): Mared Swain
Artistic Coordinator: Kate Perridge
Literary Manager: Appointment to be made
Literary Assistant (p/t): Appointment to be made
Administrator: Elin Partridge
Theatre Manager: Marina Newth
House Manager: Heather Jones
Head of Development: Emma Goad (Maternity Leave)
Head of Finance: Sally Shepherd
Finance Assistant: Marion Price
Head of Creative Learning: Phil Mackenzie
Creative Learning Associate: Angharad Lee
Creative Learning Assistant (p/t): David Lydiard
Creative Learning Assistant (BIG Lottery) (p/t): Appointment to be made
Head of Marketing & Customer Relations: Julia Barry
PR & Campaigns Manager: Suzanne Carter
Marketing Officer: Adam Jones
Digital Marketing Officer (p/t): Rhian Lewis
Ticketing and Reception Manager: Ceri-ann Williams
Ticketing and Reception Assistants: Tahnee Craven; Trystan Davies; Elan Evans; Osian Ifans; Elgan
Jones; Mari Jones; Rhian Lewis; David Lydiard; Giorgia
Marchetta; Geraint Williams
Paul Hamlyn Club Coordinator: Guy O’Donnell
Head of Production & Operations: Nick Allsop
Chief Electrician: Rachel Mortimer
Deputy Chief Electrician: Thomas Feierabend
Lighting and Sound Technician: Sam Jones
Technical Stage Manager: Stephen Blendell
Deputy Technical Stage Manager: Louise Wyllie
Wardrobe Manager: Deryn Tudor
Posts highlighted in bold are members of the company’s Management Group