Masterclass: How to be a Producer with Porl Cooper

What is a producer? What do they do and what key skills do you need to start a career as one?

In this 90 minute whistlestop session we’ll go over the wide-ranging basics of what the role often involves, whilst learning how to effectively and realistically budget and fundraise for your show, create production packs that will grab the attention of programmers and learn how to approach venues and sell the work and GET YOUR SHOW ON!

We’ll also make sure to have some time at the end to address individual questions or unpick specific case studies for those with projects ready-to-go.

In varying capacities, Porl has worked for over 30 years in subsidised repertory arts venues, commercial theatre and on large scale events and can currently be found engaged as Associate Producer at Harrogate Theatre programming events and supporting their Associate Artists, Producer & Programmer at The Dukes Lancaster and Programmer for Enable US, at the University of Sheffield.

For 5 years he worked with the team at Slung Low to ensure that their base and venue - the HUB was a creative centre for Yorkshire artistic development and became firmly established on regional, national & international touring routes. He was also previously Producer at Birmingham European (BE) Festival, Artistic Associate at Cast, Doncaster and has worked with the Lawrence Batley Theatre Huddersfield to deliver programme and talent development initiatives.

Porl worked for 8 years in the programming team at The Lowry Salford Quays and established the Studio's successful “Developed with The Lowry” stand and was instrumental in The Lowry Studio being awarded a Peter Brook / Mobius Empty Space Award in 2012. Upon leaving The Lowry in 2013 he was the proud recipient of the Manchester Theatre Awards' Special Award, and more recently in 2023 a recipient of the Writers Guild of Great Britain Olwen Wymark Awards.