A fund in memory of a much-loved and highly-rated NE director will help would-be actors going to drama school.
Jackie Fielding died from a brain aneurysm in May 2015 while directing The Man and the Donkey for the Customs House in South Shields. Although she was born in Barrow-in-Furness, she had made her home in South Tyneside and worked regularly as a director (and occasionally as an actor) in North East theatres, including Live Theatre and Durham’s Gala, but especially the Customs House.
She studied drama at Manchester University before attending Webber Douglas in London. She always had an interest in developing young people’s talents, running a South Shields youth theatre, Bold As Brass, for many years. Now more than £4,000, which was collected at her funeral and at a memorial event held at the Customs House in September, will be devoted to helping others achieve their ambitions.
“In life, often the saddest events can lead to a positive outcome,” said Customs House executive director Ray Spencer. “Jackie would be delighted to know that her friends and colleagues have raised this amount of money to help young people make their first steps towards achieving their dreams.”
Young people who wish to apply to the fund should forward a CV of their experience and a supporting statement as to why they should receive funding to [email protected] with “The Jackie Fielding Fund” in the subject line by Sunday 5 June.
The shortlisted young people will be asked to audition before a panel of her former colleagues on Monday 13 June.