Eastern Angles welcomes Artistic Director and CEO

Regional touring theatre company Eastern Angles has named JAKE SMITH Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Smith joins the Ipswich-based company from The Customs House, where has worked as Drama Director, developing a drama programme with Compact for Race Equality in South Tyneside. He is also member of the Board of Trustees at The Customs House and has been a visiting lecturer at The Northern School of Art and Sunderland University. 

He replaces outgoing Artistic Director IVAN CUTTING, who said Smith’s “skill and enthusiasm for creating work with a sense of place augurs well for the company’s future as Eastern Angles continues to tour to all corners of this unique and special region”.

“In Jake, we have found someone to take the company forward on its continuing journey giving a voice to the people of East Anglia who have a story to tell, as yet untold,” Chair ALISON STEWART added.

Smith said: “On a personal note, East Anglia holds a very special place in my heart. It shares similarities with my native place of birth in the North East, a landscape of historic sites, a vast maritime history and a thriving cultural landscape. 

“I cannot wait to get to know the audiences, creatives and communities of East Anglia better as we create the next chapter in Eastern Angles future and continue to be a pioneering company with a strong advocacy for the communities we work with.”