We warmly welcome two new Associate Directors – Sud Basu and Vicki Amedume, who will help us shape the programme for Borough of Culture 2022 in partnership with Lewisham Council. Sud is an Independent Creative Director and Consultant with wide-ranging experience in cross-artform projects at both a local and national level. Vicki is an artist working across Circus, Theatre and Outdoor Arts and is Artistic Director of Upswing, a leading contemporary circus company.

These also follow two other new appointments including Senior Producer, Matthew Cook who will help grow our community-led live programme and music. We also welcome new Meet Me Producer Sophie Merriman, who will be running our award-winning Meet Me programme in partnership with Entelechy Arts.

We’re also pleased to share that Kirsty Collander-Brown, formerly Head of Youth Programmes has assumed a new role as Head of Engagement, Amy Van-Zyl from our Box Office team has stepped into the role of Youth Programme Coordinator while Stacey O’Shea will provide programme support as Creative Programme Coordinator after previously being part of our technical team while Remy Moynes is on parental leave.

These appointments follow fond farewells to former team members Sarah Phillips, Lucy Warren, Linda Bloomfield and Sam Morgan Grahame, who have left us for pastures new. We’re grateful for all their amazing hard work and wish them all the best!

 

Want to know a bit more about our newest staff members? Read on…

Sud Basu

Sud is an Independent Creative Director and Consultant. His career has spanned local Government, funding bodies, commercial agencies, presenting theatres as well as artist led companies – these include Greater London Authority, Arts Council England, London Legacy Development Corporation, LIFT and The Place. Sud was also Commissioning Producer for 14-18 NOW – where he developed an award winning 5-year arts programme marking the centenary of the First World War.

Alongside his Albany role, Sud is currently working with NHS England and the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust on curating national cross artform cultural programmes, developing new projects with composer Matthew Herbert, creating support structures for emerging Producers with One Degree East, alongside artistic and organisational development for a range of organisations including Rich Mix, UK Centre for Carnival Arts and Eclipse Theatre. Sud is a trustee for London Sinfonietta and Wildworks. He is also an Artistic Advisor for Jerwood Arts.

 

Vicki Amedume

Vicki Amedume is an artist working across Circus, Theatre and Outdoor Arts.  She is Artistic Director and CEO of Upswing, a leading contemporary circus company, whose productions and creative engagement programs use circus to unite people from different backgrounds, uncover the extraordinary potential in humans and explore the ideas and stories that can connect us as communities.  Outside of her work at Upswing, Vicki has been an Associate Director of Greenwich and Docklands International Festival (2004-2006) and is currently Associate Director at The New Vic a 600 seat, theatre-in-the-round in Staffordshire.

 

Matthew Cook

Matthew Cook is a Creative Producer with extensive experience delivering performing arts and cultural events in arts organisations, venues and festivals. He has produced theatre, spoken word, literature and learning programmes at ICA, Whitechapel Gallery, Hackney Empire, Brighton Dome and Festival, Barbican Centre, The Roundhouse, The School of Life and EartH and Village Underground, worked as a booker for national promoters Soundcrash Music and DHP Family as well as a music consultant for Vans International.

 

Sophie Merriman

Having previously worked at Arts Council England and in gallery and festival settings, Sophie joins the Albany from Creative Barking and Dagenham where she was Creative Producer. Sophie worked closely with local residents to create outdoor arts events, festivals and participatory activities for local audiences. Most recently she has delivered Glow Festival 2021, bringing a lights festival to people’s doorsteps in the borough.

Sophie is excited to join the Meet Me programme to explore what’s next with members and welcoming everyone safely back to face to face activities.

 

Amy Van Zyl said: I’ve just started as the new Youth Programme Coordinator but have been at the Albany for almost two years as a Box Office Assistant. I feel incredibly lucky stepping off the DLR at Deptford Bridge every morning; it is such a privilege to have a part in showcasing the amazing work produced by talented & creative young people living here, in Lewisham.

 

Stacey O’Shea said: Although I am new to this role I have been a part of the Albany since 2019 as a member of the Technical Department. I feel so lucky to be working for an organisation which supports the community and champions diversity. I am very excited for the future of the venue and the inspiring projects on the horizon.

From left to right (top): Amy Van Zyl, Vicki Amedume and Sud Basu

From left to right (bottom): Mattew Cook, Stacey O’Shea and Sophie Merriman

From left to right: Amy Van Zyl, Vickie Amedume, Sud Basu, Mattew Cook, Stcey O'Shea and Sophie Merriman