Julie Ellen, Byre Theatre Director

Julie Ellen, director of The Byre Theatre, St Andrews, told us about her vision for the theatre. She saw it as a “diverse and culturally vibrant home for all the people who live, study, work and play in St Andrews and beyond.” Focused on a role as a hub for performing arts and screen culture, the theatre’s five key strategies were community engagement, student experience, development of a professional artistic programme, teaching/research support and continuing to maximise revenue streams. Julie, a former actor at the Byre who started her new management role last year after eight years at the MacRobert Arts Centre, Stirling, said there was a 3-year plan to bring in a more diverse programme which was both informative and entertaining and which local people would value and be able to recommend The Byre as a must place to visit. Julie answered a number of questions from Kilrymont members. She was introduced by president David Gray and Forbes Lockhart proposed thanks for a most informative talk.