So why did Jo join the Board? “I’ve done work with young people before. I think it's important, I mean THEATRE IS…has already developed a really good presence in the Eastern Region, I think it’s very interesting to try and shape the way that presence is felt.”

Jo’s current job includes programming The St Albans Festival, now an annual event. It will run from Saturday 20 June to Sunday 5 July. It’s a mix of mainly free open air events, venue based shows and a community programme– see the St Albans Festival website

Jo has always been in the arts industry, with previous jobs including arts education, managing arts venues and she was even a technician, but now her full time job is St Albans Arts Development Manager. She is excited about what the Festival can bring to the young people of St Albans, “My passion is about taking the arts to the people and not expecting the people to come to the arts, so that everyone that wouldn’t normally go to venues can get a taste of something that they wouldn’t normally do.” According to Jo, the Festival allows both community groups and professionals to take part, allowing the festival goers to be part of the festival, not just watch.

As well as this project, Jo and THEATRE IS…are planning to bring It’s Our Theatre to St Albans in 2010. It's Our Theatre engages young people by using Hip Hop to develop the creative talent of the future.

Jo says she’s excited about the future of THEATRE IS…”There’s a lot of young energy in the Company!” and she’s looking forward to making sure that its presence in the Region and the impact it is already having is clearly felt.  By Kate Murphy