TGt Meets…Laura, New Associate Director at Prime Theatre

In this interview we meet Laura Jasper, the new Associate Director at Prime Theatre, to talk about all things performing arts and her new role...

Tell us a little bit about yourself...

I am originally from Salisbury so am glad to be returning to the (Wiltshire) region. From a young age I wanted to be a dancer. I would create routines in my room and make sure anyone who passed sat down to see them.

I initially trained as an actor at Bath Spa University and then went on to work within the South. I love actors and the acting process, but when I was 25 I hit a bit of a mile-stone and realised that I enjoy helping actors, rather than being one.

I started my own theatre company in Salisbury, and produced and directed two shows which were part of the Bristol Shakespeare Festival and on the Dell stage at the RSC and although I enjoyed learning through doing, I realised I wanted to continue to do it properly.

So, I went to Bristol Old Vic Theatre school and since graduating in 2015 have been working in Nottingham as a freelancer.

What was your role before being Prime Theatres new associate director?

I have been working in Nottingham for the past three years as a Young Company Director and Outreach Practitioner for Nonsuch (theatre company). My role meant that I worked with lot of community groups, from vulnerable adults, to refugees, to young people to use theatre as a way of building confidence and wellbeing, as well as developing acting skills. 

What is your background in the theatre industry?

It is varied. From directing Shakespeare on the Globe Stage for the Sam Wanamaker Festival, to clowning shows in old mining towns in the Midlands, to developing new writing with emerging artists.

I have been fortunate to assist on some incredible professional productions, from Salisbury playhouse panto, to Les Enfants Terribles UK outdoor summer tour, to Red Ladder’s site-specific play set in a warehouse in Leeds.

I love classic plays like Shakespeare, and finding ways to make them visual, relevant and accessible for everyone.

What aspects of the job are you most looking forward too?

Developing young artists in the region and finding ways to provide opportunities so that we can retain talent.

What are your top 3 theatre performance you have seen/want to see?

• ‘Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow’ – MCC Theater New York. An adaptation of Chekhov’s Three Sister’s. It was wacky, with modern language, and really funny. Just like Chekhov is meant to be.
• ‘Plastic’ by Marius Von Mayenberg at The Ustinov Bath. A satire about the hypocrisy of the class system.
• ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at The Bridge Theatre London. 3 hours of pure joy (and glitter).

Why did you the role at Prime Theatre appeal to you?

Since living in Nottingham, I have found myself becoming more socially engaged and seen the power that arts and culture can have on a community. I am really excited to be part of a company that is so socially engaged and look forward to helping it grow.

Where did your passion for the dramatic arts stem from?

Not sure. Possibly my grannies. One is Welsh and loves singing; the other was a scouse and was in a girl group called the Merry-Mums, who toured the care home circuit of Liverpool in the 60s making people smile.