Stagetext makes new board appointments

SOPHIE EDE, MARIE-CLARE FENECH and KASIA SENYSZYN have been appointed to the board at deaf-led arts accessibility charity Stagetext.

Since 2017, Ede has been CEO of Hearing Help Essex and is a Fellow at Wells Cathedral Education Foundation. She was previously the Schools Music Lead Officer for Essex County Council and the Director of Music Preparatory School New Hall School. 

Fenech is Head of Talent and ED&I Advocate at Oliver Blue Associates and serves on the committee of Tech for Disability, an initiative championing accessible technology for disabled individuals. She has 20 years' experience in technology recruitment and executive search and founded the Corporate Social Responsibility programmes Unicornz and Next Tech Girl.

Accessible Information Manager at the University of Kent, Senyszyn was previously the Co-Director at Parrot Theatre and Deputy Front of House Manager at Gulbenkian Theatre.

"I’m delighted to welcome three incredibly talented new trustees, two of whom are deaf," said CEO of Stagetext MELANIE SHARPE. "Stagetext is undertaking a new phase of being based in the South East after leaving London as part of the Arts Council England transfer programme, and the new trustees will ensure we have the skills necessary to thrive in our new home.”

Fenech said: "Theatre has the power to transport us to different worlds and perspectives. By joining this board, I hope to help bring down the barriers that too often deprive the deaf community of that experience.”

Commenting on her appointment, Ede said she was “excited" adding: "I shall be proud to play a small part in the advancement of its mission to further improve access to the arts for those who are deaf and hard of hearing.”

And Senyszyn added: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining Stagetext's Board of Trustees. I and am looking forward to being part of the wonderful work Stagetext does to support deaf audiences.”