Heather Allan - Development Co-ordinator

Can you explain your job title and what you do on a day-to-day basis?
Development Co-Ordinator - basically looking after all the membership schemes of the theatre - both individual and corporate.  This involves booking tickets, and arranging any hospitality that our sponsors may require.  As you can imagine, this is a particularly busy time with priority booking about to open!

What do you enjoy most about your job?
When everyone arrives for a First Night and the buzz that it creates and that everyone has a wonderful evening

Have you met some interesting characters through work?
Yes - too many to mention!

Your favourite corporate event at CFT?
It wasn't a corporate event - but the First  Night of Nicholas Nickleby last summer was one that I don't think I will ever forget!  It was a beautiful summer day - with a lot of people picnicing in the park - a true sense of festival - and everyone had such a wonderful time - culminating in the spectacle that was Nickleby.

What are you working on at the moment?
Trying to be ready for the start of the season!

How did you begin your career in the arts?
Totally by accident! A friend of my worked here and said that there was a part-time job as Friends Assistant and would I be interested.  Hating my job in accountancy, jumped at the chance - and 5 years on, am still here!

Your favourite show at CFT?
Just So has to be my ultimate favourite - saw it 5 times and cried 5 times - much to the disgust of my youngest son!!  Have also enjoyed all the Youth Theatre productions - to see so much young talent is always amazing.  I thought Nickleby last year was enthralling and King Lear in the Minerva was unbelievable.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I watch my sons play football - oh the glamour of Sunday mornings!  I also go to the gym three mornings a week.  Spend a lot of time socialising with friends over the weekend - I enjoy the cinema and eating out.

And now a quick fire round of questions to delve a little deeper!

It's not fashionable but I like...
Everything about the 80s - think am stuck in a time warp!

My biggest regret...
None - life is far too short! What doesn't kill you - you learn from.

The shop I can't walk past...
Monsoon

My favourite work of art...
A hand-print my eldest son did at playgroup at the age of 3

The soundtrack to my life...
I Am What I Am

The best invention ever...
Chocolate!