Walk the Plank

Liz Pugh Producer

Before waving goodbye to dry land to set up the UK’s only touring theatre ship, Liz worked for various touring companies, local authorities & venues – including the Royal Exchange Theatre, Welfare State International, and the Pleasance at the Edinburgh Festival. Liz is Producer for Walk the Plank, directs some of the company’s large scale outdoor performances, and has acted as consultant, mentor and trainer for artists and organisations. She currently sits on the boards of Artgene: Cumbria’s contemporary visual arts research facility; and Xtrax, which creates showcase opportunities for UK street artists.

Liz is a ticketed deckhand (EDH), and has never yet been seasick. She lives aboard a Dutch barge, and sails a Drascombe Lugger and a laser in her spare time.

• liz@walktheplank.co.uk

John Wassell Producer

John has been creating outdoor site-specific shows for 20 years, working as a maker, artist, production manager, pyrotechnician, director and producer.

John started his career as a boat builder, before working for Welfare State International, Emergency Exit Arts and Theatre of Fire. In 1991 John Wassell and Liz Pugh set up Walk the Plank. John is responsible for many of the company’s shows in unusual locations – such as on the Tyne Bridge, the Manchester Ship Canal, and the river Thames and he often co-ordinates large teams working with large objects.

• john@walktheplank.co.uk

Billie Klinger Producer / Project Director

Billie is a hugley experienced and knowledgeable arts professional who has worked in the industry for almost 30 years. She has been a key part of Walk the Plank’s Production Team since 2002.

Billie’s varied career began in Fringe Theatre, working as Stage Manager, Designer and Lighting Designer. Since then, she has worked in repertory theatre in the North West as a Stage and Company Manager, a Production Manager on Manchester’s Cultural Festivals, and Production Manager for the year of City of Drama ’94. Billie shared her skills in the mid 90s when she ran the BA Hons Degree course in Technical Theatre at Arden School of Theatre.

Following this, Billie enjoyed some time working as Event / Project Manager for Manchester City Council, specialising in outdoor site specific events and working on events such as the Millennium celebrations, Commonwealth Games 2002, Christmas Light Switch On’s and BBC Proms in the Park. Before joining us at Walk the Plank, Billie worked on Manchester International Festival (2007 and 2009) as Production Coordinator and Producer.

• billie.klinger@walktheplank.co.uk

Ellen Turner Project Director / Production Manager

• ellie@walktheplank.co.uk

Andrew Stratford Business Manager

• andy.stratford@walktheplank.co.uk

Tor Emms Marketing and Communications Manager

Tor coordinates Walk the Plank’s Marketing effort, working with creative collaborators, clients and the internal team to ensure Walk the Plank’s unique brand of innovation and creativity generates both the audiences & PR it deserves.

An advocate for the arts in every form, Tor followed her Drama and Media degree by gaining experience in journalism, a theatre Press Office and IT PR, before giving in to her passion for art, theatre and performance and joining Walk the Plank. Her previous experience includes a Marketing role at Imperial War Museum North and PR for media specialist MediaVest.

• marketing@walktheplank.co.uk

Hugh McGinn Finance Manager

• finance@walktheplank.co.uk

Lela Keighley Production Assistant

• lela@walktheplank.co.uk

Christine Nip Production Assistant

Days after graduating from her Physics degree, Christine joined Walk the Plank as a Trainee Production and Marketing Assistant before becoming a fully-fledged Production Assistant.

Along with Lela, Christine supports the Production Team in making sure the many elements of our shows get to the show site, whether that’s equipment, vehicles or perhaps most importantly, the crew. Her often quiet background assistance ensures the smooth running of an often very complex production.

When not working on pre-show production, she has been known to dabble in Marketing and help out with the organisational side of the office.

• production@walktheplank.co.uk