Porl Cooper

In varying capacities, I've worked for over 30 years in subsidised repertory arts venues, commercial theatre and on large scale events and now works freelance across several organisations. I'm currently engaged as Interim Senior Producer and Programmer with Your Trust in Rochdale (Touchstones, Heywood Cvic, Middleton Arena), Associate Producer at Harrogate Theatre and Producer & Programmer at EnableUS at the University of Sheffield's Performance Venues, with Programming and Talent Development responsibilities at all three venues. I recently spent 2 years as Producer at The Dukes Lancaster, heading up the programme and talent development initiatives, Producer with Birmingham European (BE) Festival in Birmingham, Artistic Associate at CAST Doncaster and Freelance Producer with Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield. For 5 years I worked with the team at Slung Low in Leeds to ensure that their base and venue – the HUB – became firmly established on regional, national & international touring routes. Before all that, I spent 10 years working in the technical & programming teams at The Lowry Salford Quays and established the Studio’s successful “Developed with The Lowry” strand and was instrumental in The Lowry Studio being awarded a Peter Brook / Mobius Empty Space Award in 2012 and in 2013 I was the proud recipient of the Manchester Theatre Awards’ Special Award. Massively passionate about making theatre and live events accessible to all.