Reopening with Ventnor Exchange
Posted by:
Inspired by the culture and people of the island, Ventnor Exchange combines theatre with a record shop and a craft beer bar, and uses its profits to fund projects that develop the cultural offer of the area and opportunities for young people - from street art commissions to producing the annual Ventnor Fringe, the island’s largest arts festival!
Mhairi Macaulay
“Hi, I’m Mhairi. I work at Ventnor Exchange as Co-Director. We’ve recently been planning our annual festival Ventnor Fringe with hopes to make a comeback this summer. It’s mostly been checking in with all the artists who are so keen to get back out and perform after this difficult period, so I’m just keeping everything crossed that events can safely go ahead.
“I’ve got lots of plates to spin in the organisation - from creating theatre shows from scratch, right through to working in the bar some evenings and catching up with everyone in our community - and I love that about my job. I can’t wait to open the doors again because it’s the people that make this place. Ventnor Exchange isn’t fully alive until people get involved, that’s when the magic happens.”
Marty Stevens
“Hey, I’m Marty, and I work at Ventnor Exchange in the bar and record store. Over the last few months I’ve been mostly working from home, ordering stock for and maintaining our online record store, and brushing up on my knowledge of new music.
“Whilst I have missed working behind the bar and meeting all the people, and beers, that come in, what I’ve missed most is events at the Exchange and elsewhere. Being able to go and listen to a band, watch stand-up or see a theatre show feels like such a privilege (and festivals are like a distant dream) that I feel I’m going to appreciate the experience all the more once I can.”
Megan Stisted
“Hi, I’m Megan and I work at Ventnor Exchange as an Assistant Producer. To prepare for reopening I have been organising some in-person activities for our youth programme, Brave Island. Because of the lockdowns, the majority of the opportunities we have provided as part of this have had to be virtual, so I’m really looking forward to some real life ones taking place!
“I’ve also been programming the Free Fringe for the Ventnor Fringe, so I’m probably most looking forward to that happening in the summer. It’s going to be really exciting to be a part of it all!”
Jack Whitewood
“Hello, I’m Jack, Co-Director of Ventnor Exchange. It’s all systems go at the moment as we prepare to reopen to the public and re-start our live programme. Over the past few months we’ve been busy improving the space, keeping our youth programmes running and planning for the return of Ventnor Fringe.
“It’s been a very stressful year and I won’t miss all of the constant uncertainty, but I’m looking forward to being able to welcome people back, putting into practice all the ideas we’ve been working on over the past year, and finally experiencing live events again. I’m very proud of the team as well for keeping everything going in such uncertain terms.”
Moses Gale
“Hi, I’m Moses and I’m working with Ventnor Exchange as an Assistant Director.
“We’re creating a brand new puppet show for adults which will debut at Ventnor Fringe this summer. My job is to support the rest of the creative team with devising the content of the show, then putting it together ready to present to audiences. Mostly, this involves providing observations and questions to the Director and Actors to help them create an entertaining — but relatable — performance. I also make extensive notes and recordings of the rehearsal process.
“As a freelancer, I don’t have a consistent workplace or set of co-workers which I’ve been able to rely on over the past year. That’s why I’m thrilled to be back in the rehearsal room, collaborating with talented artists on work we hope will welcome and delight the public very, very soon!”
