Writer and director Cheryl Martin has joined Leeds-based radical theatre company Red Ladder as its new artistic director.
Cheryl takes up the post in January following Rod Dixon’s decision to leave the role after 17 years.
Alongside her work writing and directing, Cheryl has also had a variety of roles, from supporting writers and practitioners at Contact Theatre in Manchester, Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh and Oldham Coliseum. She has also worked with Community Arts Northwest on community plays.
In 2015 she co-founded award-winning LGBTQ+ Global-Majority performance arts company Black Gold Arts, which was part of the Eurovision cultural festival.
In addition to being an Edinburgh Fringe judge, Cheryl was also co-artistic director of Manchester’s grassroots Global-Majority-led publisher and writer development company Commonword and is Co-Director of Manchester Pride’s Candlelight Vigil.
Fiona Gell, co-chair of Red Ladder’s Board of Trustees said: “We could not be more delighted that Cheryl will be joining as our new artistic director. We’re excited to see how the company will evolve under her leadership as she is an extraordinary practitioner with a great deal of experience and a wealth of ideas.
"We would also like to thank Rod Dixon for his amazing 17-year contribution and wish him well in his new venture.”
Cheryl Martin said: “Red Ladder is always shape-shifting, evolving, and changing its approach. I feel incredibly lucky. I get to develop artists, to look for new audiences and the people and shows that will appeal to them, and I get to direct every now and then.
"And I get to work with a team who are passionate about what they believe in and deliver a massive amount of compelling work. It’s a dream job!”
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