There are lots of people backstage at St. George’s Theatre. Here are some of the people who help to keep the spotlight on talent and entertainment in Great Yarmouth.
There are lots of people backstage at St. George’s Theatre. Here are some of the people who help to keep the spotlight on talent and entertainment in Great Yarmouth.
Debbie Thompson
Theatre Director
Originally from Norfolk, Debbie left to study for a BA Honours in Drama at Loughborough University. After graduating, she pursued her love of theatre, and trained at the Drama Studio, London. Debbie worked as a professional actor for 10 years, performing in the West End, on television and in repertory. In 1995 Debbie went to Greenwich University to take a PGCE in Media and Theatre Studies before returning to Norfolk to bring up her family and work as a drama teacher. In 2002 she joined Sheringham Little Theatre as Theatre Director and became Producer for Sheringham’s summer repertory season and its annual professional pantomime. In 2017 Debbie was engaged to write a strategy for St. George’s Theatre to create a true community theatre. Having fond memories of performing at St. George’s when she was younger, Debbie was delighted to be asked to take on the role of Theatre Director of St. George’s too.
Email: debbie@stgeorgestheatre.com
Sophia Harrod
General Manager
Our front of house team is led by General Manager Sophia Harrod, musician and all-round theatre enthusiast, and an absolute dynamo.
Email: admin@stgeorgestheatre.com
Lucas Carr
Technician
Lucas has grown up being involved in live music and has a great passion for theatre. He lives locally and studied at Lowestoft Sixth Form College before going on to further training at Access to Music College. Lucas works with several local venues and organisations including Freshly Greated and its Play Produce Promote programme.
Email: tech@stgeorgestheatre.com
Phyllis Ellett
Domestic Assistant
Mark Williams
Caretaker
Steve Scott
Chairman
Steve is managing director of Great Yarmouth-based TMS Media, a communications company specialising in PR, graphic design, web development, exhibitions and events. The company’s clients range from start-ups to multinationals. Steve is an ardent theatre-goer with a broad taste that takes in everything from opera (nothing too heavy) to stand-up comedy. Chair of the St. George’s Theatre trustees since January 2020, Steve also chairs the trustees of the Centre 81 charity, which operates a skills and activities centre for disabled people in Yarmouth and a fleet of 11 fully accessible minibuses for people who can’t access traditional public transport.
Ryan Pickering
Trustee
Ryan is a lecturer at East Coast College focusing on inclusive education; particularly developing opportunities for learners with barriers to employment. He also teaches on FdA Creative Arts for Health and Wellbeing at the University of Suffolk. Ryan has a keen interest in creative arts and the built environment, completing a BSc Interior Architecture and Property Development. He is passionate about engaging with the local community, providing creative opportunities and helping to shape the futures of young people.
Paul Wylie
Trustee
Paul worked at Aviva in for more than twenty years, following which he delivered major locational projects for banking and government organisations until he retired in 2013. Since the late 1990s, he focused on managing change in property and manpower programmes. He became a volunteer at St. George’s in January 2018 and was appointed a trustee with responsibility for property and facilities projects in August 2019. A former school governor, Paul has also been a voluntary consultant in retail and property strategy to Age UK Norfolk since 2013. He is a Norwich City season ticket holder, enjoys cycling and playing squash, and has five children/stepchildren and four grandchildren to keep him busy. Paul is a life-long music lover and theatregoer, particularly enjoying productions by local theatre groups and smaller shows in the West End.
Lorraine Lavan
Minute Secretary
As well as taking minutes at trustee meetings, Lorraine is an active volunteer at St George’s Theatre and leads theatre’s Community Singers. A retired art teacher, she is passionate about the arts and says that theatre is life-enhancing and is for everyone. Lorraine believes St George’s stunning architecture, friendly staff, volunteers and customers, and programming reflect society as a whole. Two thought-provoking and enjoyable shows that illustrated this were an interactive song and dance show for an audience of local dementia sufferers and a play about living with autism. The future of theatre lies with our young people, and Lorraine feels that St George’s Youth Theatre continues a long-held tradition and never fails to produce amazing shows, often to a full house.
Andrew Hood
Trustee
Andrew is a Chartered Accountant who has worked in a variety of organisations over the past 40 years. These range from large PLCs to small family-owned companies in fields such as construction, food manufacturing and the service sector. He has also had two spells as Finance Director at the Theatre Royal, Norwich. At various times during his career, Andrew’s responsibilities have encompassed HR, health & safety and ISO9001, which means he brings a broad range of experience to St George’s. These wider roles have also allowed him to indulge his passion for working with and developing people at various stages in their careers. In addition to being a keen gardener and dog-walker, the role of Trustee at St George’s enables him to apply his wealth of experience in supporting his love of the Arts.