Joanna Read

DIrector and Chief Executive at The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

London, England, United Kingdom

About

Artistic Director and Chief Executive. I combine innovative artistic and cultural leadership with effective business development and organisational change. Bringing strong coherent vision and values to organisations I lead, I have combined my directing career and artistic leadership with a commitment to artistic development, higher education and emerging artists. Previously Principal, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, LAMDA. I am an experienced theatre director, writer and arts consultant. Artistic Director of Salisbury Playhouse from 1999 to 2007. Associate Director Of Bolton Octagon and Education Director for Birmingham Rep. Productions include Sheila's Island by Tim Firth, Ladies of Letters by Jonathan Harvey 2022 The Corstorphine Road Nativity for Edinburgh Festival Theatre. Parade at the Old Vic Tunnels, Threepenny Opera at Wiltons Musical Hall The Daughter In Law for the New Vic, Matilda and Duffy's Big Adventure for The Watermill Newbury. Playing for Time at Salisbury Playhouse. My pantomimes of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Dick Whittington and Jack And the Beanstalk have been produced at Watford Palace Theatre, Salisbury Playhouse and Oxford Playhouse . Board member RTYDS. Frantic Assembly Trustee. Have supported recruitment for various Higher Education, Conservatoire and AD roles. External examiner for The Lire, Dublin. Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy, experience of taking a major institution through Degreed Awarding Powers and have run a leading OFQUAL regulated awarding body. Try and put me in a box. I dare you!

Experience

  • YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE MANAGEMENT LIMITED (London, United Kingdom)
    • Director and Chief Executive
      Jan 2019 - Present · 7 yrs 6 mos

    • Director
      Jan 2019 - Present · 7 yrs 6 mos

  • DIrector and Chief Executive at The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
    Jan 2019 - Present · 7 yrs 6 mos

  • Principal and Chief Executive at LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art)
    Jul 2010 - Jan 2019 · 8 yrs 7 mos

    A world leading conservatoire and awarding body training the next generation of exceptional performing artists. LAMDA has recently successfully completed a £29 million new building, including three theatres, 10 rehearsal studios, screen and audio facilities transforming the school and securing its future.

  • Director at The Mill at Sonning Theatre
    Feb 2010 - Mar 2010 · 2 mos

    Directing We'll Always Have Paris, by Jill Hyem

  • The Corstorphine Road Nativity By Tim Firth at Festival City Theatres Trust - Festival and King's Theatres Edinburgh
    Oct 2009 - Jan 2010 · 4 mos

    Joanna is directing this comedy by Tim Firth in December at Edinburgh Festival Theatre. Cast included Gordon Kennedy and Sarah Crowe