Producing
Jax has varied experience in producing shows and events.
In 2001, Jax worked with her GCSE Drama group to produce a performance for a County Drugs Awareness Competition. Together they devised, designed and wrote a piece which simply and powerfully told their story. Not only did they win the competition and prestige for the school, they also gained a greater understanding of themselves and the valuable experience of the drama process culminating in live performance, as well as the joy of their voices being heard. They also used the experience to inform their exam work and achieved higher than expected results.
In 2007 and 2008, Jax was part of the production team of ‘Carnival Messiah’ at Harewood House and the Royal Albert Hall. The Harewood House production involved managing a cast of 200 professionals and community performers over a three month long production schedule. From facilitating and organising cultural awareness workshops to feeding cast and crew, this project was magnificent in both scale and outcomes. At the Royal Albert Hall, we had just 24 hours to rehearse and deliver excerpts from the show to an audience of dignitaries, with behind the scenes management of cast and crew, including troubleshooting overnight accommodation.
Since Autumn 2016 Jax has been working on a voluntary basis with The Friends of Dewsbury Park Mansion as Co-Chairperson, once the group became incorporated in 2017 she became Chair Person of Dewsbury Park Mansion Community Hub. As part of efforts to engage local people in the Community Asset Transfer process, Jax produced a Christmas event in three weeks. Working with local organisations, coordinating volunteer efforts and organising the event required precision planning which resulted in over 300 people enjoying the day and sharing their ideas for the community hub that we hope to create. Jax will lead on the production of the Curiosity Festival to be held in Crow Nest Park Dewsbury in Spring 2019, as a celebration of the opening of the park for people of all backgrounds. It is intended that this will be the inaugural festival and will grow in years to come as a celebration of our town and all of it’s people.
In November 2017 local Councillors invited Jax to Produce the Dewsbury Christmas Lights Switch On event on a budget of less than £3000, and in just 2 weeks. Responsibilities included Event Management, securing a Health and Safety Officer, sourcing appropriate insurance, collating Risk Assessments, liaising with local businesses and organisation, booking security and publicity via social media and press releases. Jax also created a cohesive artistic vision for the event that incorporated local musicians and artists, and collaborated with Creative Scene on Artist Development and creative input. This event ensured that local people could come together and celebrate Christmas, as well as encouraging footfall for local business. Jax has been working with Creative Scene on the 2018 event to build on the success of last year.