Hello From Your New Leith Theatre Storyteller
If we haven’t been introduced yet, either in person or through our social media platforms, my name is Aisha, and I am Leith Theatre’s Marketing & Digital Coordinator. It’s been nearly three months since I started my role at an organisation I’ve followed and admired for many years, being Leith born and bred, and I thought now would be a good time to say hello and share my experiences since I began my own Leith Theatre journey.
Firstly, a little about me. Having grown up in Leith, I share the attachment and understanding of the area's history and community spirit. After spending years working as a team member in theatres, music venues and cinemas, I graduated with a BA Hons in Journalism from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen and was immediately drawn back to my roots and original stomping ground. I’ve worked as a freelance music journalist, writing for publications in Scotland and London, while working full-time in a range of marketing & communications roles over the last few years. With a passion for music and an investment and interest in the Scottish Music Industry, I am thrilled to be part of the long journey towards Leith Theatre being gig and performance/celebration space ready.
Lynn, Anna & Aisha enjoying an ice cream before The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde premiere.
My first day at Leith Theatre felt like a real treat. I spent the day finding my bearings in the magnificence of the building. There were major building works going on in the Main Auditorium, but I still remember being struck by the energy and presence of possibility. I’d visited Leith Theatre for different gigs and events throughout the years, from EIF performances to Irvine Welsh recitals, and being back in the building as a member of the team feels like a privilege and an honour. The day really flew by, and before you knew it, it was 5pm and our Persevere taxi had arrived to take us up to the Everyman Cinema for the premiere of The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, a film and theatre hybrid that had been filmed at Leith Theatre at the beginning of last year. Not often you get to attend a film premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on the first day of the job, is it?
My role as Marketing & Digital Coordinator is to tell Leith Theatre’s story throughout the next stage of development. Since I started, I’ve watched the Main Auditorium transform from construction site to being event ready as we hosted the BBC New Comedy Awards, Scottish Chamber Orchestra to film their new digital series and a local filmmaker for an inspiring two-week film shoot. Our Doors Open Day in September gave me my first opportunity to speak to those of you who were visiting for the first time and those who had fond memories of times spent in the theatre, whether that was at a gig, a wedding or, as someone recalled, a circus! This week I also got the opportunity to lead my first heritage tour presentation alongside Anna.
Leith Theatre, and everyone who has walked through its doors, has a story to tell and I look forward to being able to help to share more and more of those stories and to tell the organisations own journey tales in the months to come.
If you have any thoughts or stories to share, please don’t hesitate to get in touch marketing@leiththeatre.co.uk