Staff Spotlight: Jess Spath

Meet our new Education and Community Practitioner in our latest Staff Spotlight.

Your role at the Corn Exchange?

Education and Community Practitioner. I’ll be focusing on the drama and singing side and cant wait to get stuck into sharing my love of theatre, music and stories with children, whatever their age.

What is your work background and where did you work before Corn Exchange?

My background is in nursing although I’ve been acting since I could walk. Until recently I was a ward sister at West Berks Hospital and in my spare time worked as a freelancer for both the Watermill Theatre in their outreach team, assisting on classes with a variety of groups, from adults with learning disabilities, to teenagers with autism and teenagers experiencing difficult lives. I’ve also been freelancing for the Corn Exchange, running workshops such as Messy Stories and panto workshops.

What does a typical day at work look like?

It’s still a really new and different experience for me but I’m enjoying the variety, from planning my classes, trying out my storytelling and songs on my young children, chatting to the L&P team about how to make sessions even more inclusive, working together to deliver a great program and the best part of course is delivering sessions to young people and their parents, giving them the opportunity to spend time together as a family and enjoy arts and theatre.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Delivering sessions, and bringing a positive perspective with me for drama and music

What inspires you to do your job?

People inspire me! And the happiness I feel when I’m acting or singing. There’s a quote I really like from Ralph Waldo Emerson: Be silly. Be honest. Be kind.

What advice would you give someone who wants to work in theatre/the arts?

We’re all meant to dream. So dream big. Work hard. Be kind.