Jumped Up Theatre’s Kate Hall steps down, and the search for a new leadership team begins. 

Jumped Up Theatre have announced that company founder Kate Hall is to step down later this year and that they are now recruiting for a new leadership team. 

“Jumped Up is in great shape, with a clear vision of working with children, families and young people in Peterborough, supporting theatre and dance in the city, and a strategic leadership role for the city.  Kate will be greatly missed but she has created, alongside her team, a fantastic resource for the city, and a great opportunity for some new creative leadership,” explains Mark Smedley, Chair of Trustees of Jumped Up Theatre.  

Kate adds “I am looking forward to supporting a new leadership team to get to know the city, its communities, local creatives and the brilliant Jumped Up team – all of whom I will miss very much.   I am planning on taking a break from work for a couple of months and supporting my family.  I am sure I will be back to see some of the fantastic productions and projects which are planned, not least an award-winning, family-friendly, beat box version of Pied Piper of Hamlyn next March.”

Having worked in Peterborough since 2006 Kate has led Jumped Up Theatre to become well-known as a friendly and inclusive arts organisation which programmes fun and exciting creative experiences for people across the city. Previously Kate has worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company, English Touring Theatre, Manchester Royal Exchange and Vivacity, as well as directing all of Jumped Up’s productions on tour and in London since 1993. 

The company’s success has been recognised by local and national bodies as programming inspiring productions, unique participation projects and creative campaigns about Peterborough and led by young people. This success has led Jumped Up Theatre to become a National Portfolio Organisation in 2023, funded by Arts Council England, and a substantial three-year grant from Esmee Fairburn Foundation.  

The company is now recruiting for an Artistic Director and General Manager as a new leadership team to co-lead the charity, and to deliver its vision of telling new stories about, with and for Peterborough. Kate Hall will step down in the Autumn when she and her family relocate.