Profile On: Jacqueline McKay

New Chief Executive of the Byre Theatre, St Andrews

Jacqueline McKay joins The Byre in March taking up the newly created post of Chief Executive. Her main task is to reposition the Byre within the Scottish theatre community and also within the wider Fife area. 'I’m delighted to be joining The Byre at such an exciting time for Scottish Theatre and the arts per se.  The Byre is a wonderful theatre space and arts resource and I’m looking forward to working with the Byre’s experienced staff team and Board to continue and build upon the Byre’s reputation for producing and co-producing new work for the widest range of audiences.'

Jacqueline is excited by the opportunity to develop a series of programming strands and initiatives at the Byre which will widen the range of touring theatre, dance, music and live literature on offer.  She acknowledges that early challenges will include launching a new education portfolio for the Byre that can reach out across Fife, creating more work for children and family audiences and supporting new creative platforms for emerging performing artists and arts educators in residence at the Byre.

Jacqueline joins the Byre from North Edinburgh Arts Centre, where she became the founding Director of the new lottery built arts centre in 2002.  Under her leadership, North Edinburgh Arts Centre has won national awards for its programme, education practice and its commitment to social inclusion. 

Jacqueline is currently producing new theatre for 0-3s at North Edinburgh Arts Centre as part of the Starcatchers programme, a pioneering UK theatre and research project funded by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and The Arts and Scottish Arts Council.

Dr Frank Quinalt, Chairman of The Byre, said: 'I am delighted that Jacqueline will be joining us in the Spring. She comes to the Byre with a dynamic track record in cultural leadership and the ability to programme and  create new work for audiences of all ages. Jacqueline’s appointment will enable The Byre to engage with a wider range of audiences to develop the organisation as a leading creative flagship venue for Scotland, nurturing new work and emerging artists. 2007 promises to be an exciting new chapter for the Byre.'

Jacqueline has worked extensively in the arts and media as a programmer, producer and venue director.  After studying theatre and performing arts at Glasgow University and Post Graduate study at Manchester Theatre School, she joined the BBC as a producer.  She has worked with a wide range of UK based companies including Manchester Royal Exchange, Northern Ballet Theatre, Scottish Ballet before joining North Edinburgh Arts Centre.

For the full programme and more on other upcoming events, please visit the Byre website.