Vickie Flemming - the Role model
Vickie Fleming
Pigtown Theatre CIC
In a nutshell:
Bringing people in communities together by offering and creating creative opportunities for individuals to ignite their inner spark.
Sectors:
Creative Services
Region:
Conwy

I’m the Artistic Director of Pigtown Theatre CIC.  I’ve been classically trained as an actor, but as a Theatre Creative I work extensively with Councils, charities and community groups to offer creative opportunities. I work for the Arts Council of Wales and I’m proud to represent it as a ‘Drama Arts Champion’ for North Wales.

 

I get paid to think and deliver projects for people to enjoy.  I love being able to use my skills every day and feel that everything I do can directly impact on the success of the business.

 

I am passionate about the power Arts have to inspire, motivate and touch peoples’ lives.  The most exciting part about my job is creating a spark in someone - encouraging confidence, engaging with the disconnected, bringing people together to create something which can be meaningful, funny, unifying.  During Big Ideas Wales workshops I find myself advising, encouraging and empower others to make choices about their future – a truly rewarding moment.

 

Fast forward past drama school, acting work, setting up a company and pause at today and the work that I do now in schools, theatre’s, community centers (and once, the beach) – all of it promotes a sense of community and enjoyment that I've felt when I grew up, and want to capture for others.  More than anything I want to be able to offer what I know is possible, space.  

 I love being able to use my skills every day and feel that everything I do can directly impact on the success of the business.

Running a business is hard, a small business is really hard.  I do every job from filing, accounts, marketing, project development, delivery and making the tea.  Work is always there and it can be hard to know when to stop, often I do extra work in the evening and many of my hours are unpaid.  I don’t get holiday or sick pay and as work can be unpredictable it is very difficult to plan time away.

 

Being organized, talking to people and remembering to take a break are all really important elements to keeping a work life balance.  

Each new project started is an exciting creative moment and I’m proud to say that all the hard work has paid off, but, the responsibility to deliver can be scary at times but knowing that I’m the one in control makes it all worthwhile.