The Elgiva has announced it has appointed a new Community Engagement Officer.
Becky Harrison joins the theatre in a new post, and will be responsible for the development of a programme of activities and events with the aim of raising awareness and participation in the creative arts and fostering partnerships with local community, schools and organisations. The Elgiva is committed to its ethos of Elgiva for Everyone and sees community as a cornerstone on which to build progress in developing this ethos.
Becky has loved the performing arts industry for as long as she can remember. Having been singing, dancing and performing from a young age, Becky trained at the Royal Academy of Music graduating with a Distinction in MA musical theatre. Since graduating Becky has worked as a director, choreographer, session/demo recording singer, performing arts teacher and performer.
Before studying musical theatre, Becky studied at UCL and has a BSc (Hons) in Astrophysics, which led her to a job in finance as a senior marketing data analyst. Becky has a real passion for teaching and leading workshops. She has taught widely across all three disciplines: singing, dance and drama, to all ages and abilities for over ten years now. She has also produced and directed many youth and community theatre projects.
Becky Harrison said: “I am super-excited to be part of the team at The Elgiva and can’t wait to share with all the new youth and community projects that will be launched soon!”
Theatre Manager, David Cooper said: “Community is the beating heart of the The Elgiva; we are delighted to welcome Becky on board, and very much looking forward to the journey she is planning for our theatre. The recent pandemic has shown just how much people have missed having creativity and the performing arts in their lives, as well as how essential links with the community are. Becky’s degree in Astrophysics means she will be as happy fostering links with the stars of our stage as she will be with the audience and our community!”
Becky Harrison – selected biography
As a performer, Becky has worked in theatre, screen and voice over from a young age. She now sings regularly for new musical demos. Becky has also sung lead vocals for several jazz, pop and soul function bands including award winning Down for the Count, Roxie’s Retro Jukebox, Minnie and the Moochers and The Neotones. She has often found herself cast in new musical workshops and performances including a 2020 lockdown project playing the role of Shell in new musical Dream Home (musical demo recording).
During lockdown Becky worked regularly as a session singer and regular rehearsed reading artist for a new Broadway musical. Prior to lockdown, Becky’s new musical performance work includes Jess in Queueue (Theatre Deli, by Leo & Hyde); Sally in Scandinavian Heart (Iris Theatre); Miss Lacey in Potty the Plant (Short Film). As regular session vocalist, Becky was also involved in the creation of new musical Sandition, contributing to the composition of music working alongside composer and studio engineer David Booth.
Becky has dipped her toes into the commercials world and was featured as a lead singer for a Cadbury’s Online campaign in 2017 and was the featured artist for the Memberoo App online commercial.
Over the past couple of years Becky has worked as a theatre creative as well as performer. Creative directing and choreography credits include:
- GUY, a new musical
- R&D workshop (Dukes Theatre, by Leo & Hyde)
- Cinderella Pantomime (The Cresset Theatre)
- NewsRevue (Canal Cafe Theatre)
- Jerusalem (The Watermill Theatre)
- The Soprano Behind the Screen (UK tour, Scenaria Ltd)
- Body Count – assistant director, (SOHO Theatre)
- Issac Saddlesore and the Curse of Nebet (Micawber Theatre – Online)
- Galileo New Musical Workshop (Winchester University)
- Galileo New Musical Workshop (Leeds College of Music)
- Scrooge and Company (Canal Cafe Theatre)
- The Quilt project (by Mary Steward-David and Denis King)
- Legally Blonde (The Elgiva)
- Little By Little (Etcetera Theatre)
- Sleeping Beauty (Harrow Arts Centre)
- REPLAY (Lion and Unicorn Theatre)
- Women’s Writes (Arcola Theatre)
