Meet Isabelle: Our Marketing Manager at Gate Theatre

Isabelle Culkin is our new Marketing Manager.

Before starting at the Gate Theatre, Isabelle was Marketing Manager at Arcola Theatre. Alongside her current role, she also volunteers for Young People in the Arts (YPIA). She also enjoys producing and literary work, previously assistant producing on shows at Park Theatre, Cadogan Hall and Edinburgh Festival Fringe; scouting and reporting on shows for Theatre503; as well as experience in theatre-in-education.

What brought you to work in marketing?

Good marketing is all about people and their stories (much like theatre!) I’m a visual and creative people person, so marketing is the perfect melting pot for my interests.

What made you want to work for the Gate?

It was actually the process for applying for the job itself. The Gate is home to boundary-pushing international work, but I was so inspired by the frank, open and generous conversations I had with the team in my interviews, which emphasised the Gate’s evolving approach to creating and sustaining a positive workplace culture. Stages all across the country are full of stories of care, empathy and understanding. It’s essential that the way we treat our teams, artists and audiences are testament to these values.

What are your top three values?

Balance. Curiosity. Trust.

What do you hope to achieve in your new role?

There are some exciting conversations happening at the Gate right now. I look forward telling our audiences about these in due course, as well creating and sustaining relationships with new communities, inviting them into our digital and physical spaces.

What’s a show you’ll never forget?

The Fall, written by students at the University of Cape Town @ Assembly Hall (Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2017). Based on the 2015 Rhodes Must Fall protest movement at their university, this show was captivating from start to finish. It was amazing to be able to watch it again during its 2020 online release, and I would watch it in a heartbeat again.

(For a glimpse of the show, have a look at the trailer. There was also a post-show talk held during the its transfer to the Royal Court which is available online.)