Justine Themen, the Belgrade Theatre’s deputy artistic director who has been working on the Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 programme, will leave the theatre in May 2022 when the culture year draws to a close.
She has worked as a senior manager at the Belgrade for 18 years and will depart shortly after artistic director Hamish Glen and executive director Joanna Reid step down as the theatre reduces its leadership team.
Themen represented Coventry in its bid to become UK City of Culture, going on to direct its opening event, Coventry Moves, in May 2021.
She said, “I’ve enjoyed my long association with the Belgrade, in particular with the communities and artists that it serves. I’m pleased that the pioneering work we’ve been doing on diversity, participation, talent development and new work is to be embedded in the new integrated post of creative director and hope that this work will go from strength to strength.
“I’m excited to explore new opportunities for promoting diversity and artistic excellence in the cultural sector at a time when this is urgently needed.”
David Hanson, chairman of the board of trustees of the Belgrade, commented, “we thank Justine for the contribution she’s made to the Belgrade over many years and we wish her well for the future.”