Georgia Dingle
When did I graduate from the University of Chichester? 2016
What course did I do? Performing Arts (Theatre Performance)
What am I doing now? I now work as an Account Executive at Bannister Blake, a PR and Communications company with particular focus on luxury travel, lifestyle and the arts. In my interview I explained my original travel plans and I am fortunate enough to have been given four months off in July to travel South America and return to my job. Since November I have been living in London and working, not something I had ever imagined myself achieving this time last year!
What do I love about my job/artistic practice/lifestyle? Fortunately this job incorporates creativity, my people skills and I am still constantly learning. With my passions being the arts and travel I am fortunate enough that I am able to travel lots with work and be surrounded by art constantly with one of our clients being Royal Academy of the Arts and living in London has given me the opportunity to see so much Theatre and I am learning to love it again after a much needed break!
How did doing Performing Arts/Theatre at Chichester help me to do what I do now? Creativity is necessary within my job! Much like making art, it is essential to have current interests and awareness of the world when working with the media and throughout the course I learnt how to think (ridiculous as that sounds!) and seek opportunities for creativity. I have also transferred performative skills to my job; the ability to improvise and speak coherently to clients and and journalists when pitching stories and ideas.
Having been part of the Chichester community and constantly working in different groups and dynamics I understand this importance of relationships and community and how they form which is essential with PR.
As much as I loved performing I equally enjoyed the written part of the degree. I actually really enjoyed writing my dissertation! Over the three years my writing skills were constantly improving and adapting to different styles, these skills are put in to practice within my job now as I write a lot of press releases and reviews.
What was my favourite moment/class/project when at Chi? I was particularity proud of Production 1 with Louie Jenkins in second year, Interbellum. I enjoyed every aspect of this project and it was at this point that I felt fully part of the Chi community. I also loved every second of the my intern at Forest Fringe in the summer of second year which was kindly supported by the Uni and Brian Lobel.
I loved Clowning which is where I really found my confidence within my year dynamic and with decision making performatively. I also loved cycle weeks, even more so in third year as our year was so supportive and proud of everyone's work.
I could not have not been more proud performing our final production with 4 of my extremely talented peers. All five of us had totally different strengths and personalities but that made us constantly challenge each other.
What do I most miss about Chi?
The people and the constant creativity. Ian Hornsby lectures!
My advice for anyone starting in the Theatre Department this coming year....
- Be brave, be yourself, do not overthink but constantly think....
- Read, watch and do!
- (and don't leave everything til last minute)
