Created by co-founders Paule Constable and Sarah Rushton-Read, WiSE aims to increase the visibility of women in the stage entertainment industry, and provides a dynamic forum for members to share information, opportunities and support. This year WiSE is taking on more educational initiatives to inspire young women to enter technical theatre.
The seminar, held at 12:30pm on Friday, is just the start for WiSE. It will feature women currently working in the industry, each with a different path to success including apprenticeships and assessments manager for the National Theatre the National Theatre, Kathryn Geraghty; production and events director, Joanna Hartle; and business development manager at Stage Electrics, Sarah Cox.
Geraghty says events like this have a twofold purpose as she explains: "Not only does it help to destroy the stereotype of Tech as a male world, but it also enables young women, who are still not encouraged to take radios apart, to consider that there are wider possibilities open to them than they might think."
With record unemployment rates, increasing costs of education, and gender stereotypes in technical fields, many young women might not get the encouragement or advice that they need to be successful in technical theatre. Joanna Hartle, a production and events director, has spent many hours teaching and mentoring young professionals at the Backstage Academy. As a part of the Women in Stage Entertainment seminar, she aims to give some perspective of the challenges she encountered in the industry. She says, "Women who are coming into the industry are still facing similar challenges" but suggests: "it's changing."
WiSE believes that by showcasing successful women already working in the industry, they can break down barriers lying in the path of women who are beginning careers in stage entertainment. The seminar this Friday promises to be one of many events throughout the year focusing on young women. By increasing the visibility of positive role models, WiSE hopes to achieve a lasting effect on both women and the industry as a whole.
Sarah Cox, a WiSE member and business development manager at Stage Electrics, comments, "Now more than ever huge technology is required to put on major shows, amazing lighting and video are an expectation and talented people are needed to provide creative content and deliver the product."
It's that drive for talented professionals that WiSE hopes will inspire more individuals and industry organisations to reach out to young women.
The Perform 2012 Conference is being held 9-12 March 2012 at The Grand Hall in Olympia, London. WiSE's seminar entitled Women Making Their Mark in the Theatre Industry will be held 9 March at 12:30pm in the seminar room at Perform 2012.
(Jim Evans)
