Artistic Producer to step down after 30 years

Dot Wood

M6 Theatre Company’s Artistic Producer, Dot Wood, will be stepping down at the end of July after 30 years with the company.

Ms Wood is said to have made an ‘outstanding contribution to the field of theatre’ for young audiences and leaves M6 an ‘unparalleled artistic legacy.’

During her tenure, Rochdale-based M6 Theatre has received many nominations and awards, both national and international, in recognition of the excellence of their work and the positive contribution made to the lives of young people.

In 2006 Ms Wood was awarded an MBE for ‘Services to Drama in the North West.’

Ms Wood first joined M6 in 1982 as an Education Officer and later was appointed Artistic Producer.

Ms Wood said: “M6 has been a huge part of my life over the past thirty years. It’s been a wonderful journey and I’m extremely proud of what we’ve achieved over those three decades.

“There have been some tough mountains to climb at times but the rewards have been a thousand fold!

“Working with inspirational artists to create theatre which brings wonder, imagination and connections into young people’s lives and being able to witness that impact has always felt like the most amazing job in the world.”

Katharine Rhodes, M6 Theatre’s Chairwoman of Trustees, added: “It is almost impossible to describe Dot Wood’s contribution to M6 Theatre Company in a few words.

“Dot has been at the heart of M6 Theatre over many years - our creative force and guiding light. Her talent, vision and unswerving commitment to theatre for children and young people, is well recognised - not only by those of us who have had the pleasure of working with her, but by the whole community of young people’s theatre.

“We, at M6 are immensely sad at her leaving.

“However, a true testament to Dot’s extraordinary achievements, is that she leaves a great team of people and a strong, resilient, forward- looking theatre company, with quality and integrity at its very roots.

“We know that M6 Theatre will continue to grow and thrive and we embrace the future wholeheartedly. This is surely the best tribute we can pay to Dot and her inspiring work.”

M6 Theatre Company is acknowledged as one of Britain’s leading theatre companies specialising in creating and delivering dynamic, high quality productions with and for young audiences.

The company’s highly acclaimed professional productions tour nationally and internationally to theatre venues and festivals, and locally to schools and community settings. M6’s local participatory programme nurtures young people to create their own theatre and develop key life skills.

M6 Theatre has been awarded Arts Council England National Portfolio status.