Sarah Rushton-Read, co-founder of WiSE (Women in Stage Entertainment) says: "This was our first WiSE Monthly. WiSE members are hugely grateful for the support we received from technical manager for the Southbank Complex, Roger Hennigan, GrandMA's Philip Norfolk and Chris West and Martin Professional's Matthew Pittman, who provided a number of fixtures, a load of Pret Sandwiches and some delicious Pizza. We would also like to thank Coral Cooper for furnishing us with a flask of gin and a huge box of chocolates.
"We have wanted to get a regular networking and education group for WiSE members going for some time. The event is open to any member of WiSE (we now have over 350) interested in meeting other members, learning something new and sharing news and views. In addition our WiSE members are able to invite male colleagues along to selected events. This month's event will be at the Theatres Trust on 23 March.
"We are also inviting WiSE members, who are not based in London, to plan their own regional meetings. They can publicise it on the WiSE website and directly invite other local members. The hope is the industry will directly sponsor these events by providing venues, equipment, training and time."
Caz Williamson, in charge of corporate sponsorship for WiSE says, "We aim to run the event every second Monday - or thereabouts - of each month for the South East. Our first meeting just happened to fall on Monday 14February - Valentine's Day - so we weren't too sure how many members would turn up. In the end it was a brilliant turn out and we had some fantastic feedback from the evening."
Rushton-Read concludes, "WiSE is very grateful to all our sponsors. We always keen to hear from individuals and organizations who would like to join us in ensuring that women have access to equal opportunities, in all sectors of the entertainment industry, at all stages of their lives and careers."
(Jim Evans)
