Home-Grown' Graduate Joins Derby Theatre Team
27 January 2012
Raj Chima, Derby graduate and the Derby Theatre's new Marketing and Sales Manager, will be promoting exciting upcoming productions such as War Horse children's writer Michael Morpurgo's The Butterfly Lion (poster pictured).
We're fortunate to have recruited somebody with Raj's energy and background knowledge of the theatre, and the fact that she is also one of the University's own graduates is very pleasing
”Gary Johnson, Derby Theatre Manager.
One of the University of Derby's own drama graduates has returned to the city to promote the exciting productions lined-up for Derby Theatre.
Raj Chima, a 2005 graduate of the University's BA (Hons) Theatre Arts degree course, has joined Derby Theatre as its new Marketing and Sales Manager.
She will be promoting upcoming productions at the University's theatre - including Equus and War Horse children's writer Michael Morpurgo's The Butterfly Lion - as well as student performances and the building's role as a 'learning theatre'.
Raj's background knowledge of the theatre will prove invaluable in her new position.
As a degree student she acted at the then Derby Playhouse and worked part-time in its box office. After graduating she became the theatre's Deputy Box Office Manager and Marketing Assistant.
This was followed by four-and-a-half years in London theatres.
Raj rose to become Assistant Marketing Manager at the New Wimbledon Theatre (part of the Ambassador Theatre Group); where she worked with big names such as Brian Blessed, Paul O'Grady and David Hasslehoff. She also worked as Marketing Manager at the Rose Theatre in Kingston; which has seen productions featuring Timothy West, Celia Imrie and Dame Judi Dench.
Derby-born Raj, 29, said: "I feel I've been very lucky, both in the degree I chose and the theatres I've worked at."
She added: "It is great to now come back to Derby and see how the theatre is developing under the University. Its dual role as a provider of great productions and as a learning theatre should make for some interesting projects in the future, and I'm looking forward to being a part of those."
Gary Johnson, Derby Theatre Manager, said: "We're fortunate to have recruited somebody with Raj's energy and background knowledge of the theatre, and the fact that she is also one of the University's own graduates is very pleasing."
*To see Derby Theatre's current programme and book tickets go to website www.derbytheatre.co.uk
For further media information please contact Press and PR Officer Sean Kirby on 01332 591891 or 07876 476103, or email s.kirby@derby.ac.uk.
