Vicki Amedume, artistic director of contemporary circus company Upswing, has been appointed associate director of Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre.
She will explore artistic opportunities, working alongside New Vic artistic director Theresa Heskins, and will look after the theatre's artist development programme.
Amedume has worked on New Vic productions including Bryony Lavery’s adaptation of Magdalen King-Hall’s novel The Wicked Lady in 2009, Heskins’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 2015 and Astley's Astounding Adventures by Frazer Flintham in 2018—a production to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the creation of modern circus.
Amedume, who will continue her role at Upswing, said, "each collaboration has explored new ground in the crossover of circus and theatre. I hope this appointment will support the ambition to keep the circus spirit growing and enriching the brilliant work produced both inside and outside the New Vic."
Heskins, added, "Vicki has very much felt like one of the New Vic team for some time now, having worked with us many times over the past decade to make some extraordinary pieces of work. To me personally she’s been an inspirational and generous collaborator.
“Her expertise in circus and outdoor arts reflects key preoccupations across our artistic programmes; her commitment to artist development will help us nurture programmes to support both emerging and established artists; and her leadership skills will make a huge difference not only to our organisation but also across our sector. The New Vic is entering an exciting new phase."