Claire 

Theatre Sales & Marketing Manager 

 

Biography

In 2005 I came to Winchester to study Drama. During my course I learnt a lot about the art of theatre and was able to gain a great deal of knowledge about the various different types of performance.

Studying at the University of Winchester also gave me the skills to prioritise and manage my workload which is an essential part to the job I currently do.

One of the best things I ever did at Winchester was run for Vice Chair of Performing Arts Winchester (PAW). I had been treasurer for two years prior and didn’t realise at the time just how valuable the experience would be when it came to working within the Marketing Department of a theatre.

Once I left University I got a job as a holiday rep abroad with First Choice but I realised that I wanted to work in theatre so came home. I got a part time job as a Stage Door Assistant at a local theatre and this led to me being offered some part time work with the same theatre as a Marketing Assistant. I worked in my position as Marketing Assistant for four months before I was offered the role of Press and Marketing Officer. The experience I had through my course at Winchester, work with PAW and my previous roles at the theatre meant that I had a solid understanding of theatre in a commercial environment, not just from a performance perspective.

I spent two years as Press and Marketing Officer before I saw my current role advertised in The Stage newspaper. I applied for the job and had to undergo a telephone interview and then had to attend a formal interview. I was offered the job and I haven’t looked back!

My role as Sales and Marketing Manager means I am key to ensuring the financial success of the theatre by liaising with producers, artist agents and press and marketing agencies to secure press coverage and conduct PR campaigns. I manage the marketing budget and also liaise with suppliers to provide the things that the theatre needs to be successful like printing and distributing, website and social media campaigns alongside radio and TV exposure.

I love the variety of my job. One day I can be creating a marketing campaign and then next I’m dressing up as a children’s character to promote our children’s shows in schools. There is never a day where I wake up and think that I don’t want to go to work.

It can take a while for you to get your foot in the door in certain career fields, but once you’re in then you’ve done the hard work. I worked voluntarily on many occasions and I don’t know anyone who has worked in theatre who hasn’t offered to work for free at some point!

Get involved with as much as you can at University it’s the only time you’ll get studio space, technicians, equipment and managers for free so make the most of them. It will give you invaluable transferable skills which will put you ahead of your competitors when applying for jobs. I always look for extracurricular activities on peoples CVs – it shows that they are dedicated and willing to go the extra mile.