Meet our new executive director: Blayne George

Last April, a new executive director took the lead of MGCfutures: meet Blayne George.

What is your role at MGCfutures? What do you do?

I am MGCfutures new Executive Director, having taken over from Andrew Broadley in April. I am still getting settled but loving it! As ED I am responsible for the running of the charity and lead on fundraising, governance, the bursary scheme and day to day management. I also guide the team. A lot of my work is about people and communication! 

How do you work with the rest of the team? 

We are a part time team and, as mentioned above, communication is very important. I am naturally very collaborative in my working style, but I also like to ensure everyone is able to have freedom and independence so they can have ownership over the work they do. I think it is important to listen, and I know if I don’t have the answers to something the team will, and if not, we will find them together. 

What do you most enjoy about your work?

I think it is about supporting others and watching them grow. I have had the privilege of working with so many amazing and talented people in the industry, who have often just been starting out in their careers, and it has been a pleasure to watch them grow into their careers. I also like that the role of our industry is to tell stories that inspire, entertain, bring communities together and make us think about and look at the world we live in, in different ways. 

What did you do before working at MGCfutures? 

I have done a lot over the past 25 years. I started out as an actor and then naturally found my way into other areas of the industry. Most recently I was the Creative Executive Director for The Mono Box and before that Programme Director for Masterclass at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.  

What was the last show you saw? 

A Moon for the Misbegotten by Eugene O’Neill at the Almeida Theatre which was directed by former MGCfutures bursary recipient Rebecca Frecknall!!

Favourite show?

This is a hard one as I have seen so many great shows. Here are my top 6 because I couldn’t choose just five! 

Far Away by Caryl Churchill (Albrey Theatre, West End) 

Ubu Roi by Alfred Jarry (Curtain Razors, Regina)

Josephine & I by Cush Jumbo (Bush Theatre, London) 

Cassanova by Told by an Idiot (Lyric Hammersmith, London)

Phaedra’s Love by Sarah Kane (The Shed, Narodni-Divadlo, Prague)

Everyday by Michael West & Company (Corn Exchange, Dublin) 

What are you reading? 

I never seem to sit still long enough to read. For work I’m reading The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst; we are doing our next MGCfutures fundraising event with the stage adaptation by Jack Holden, directed by our founder Michael Grandage, later this year! And a stage adaptation of Black Narcissus by MGCfutures recipient Ruth D’Silva. For pleasure – Black Leopard Red Wolf by Marlon James, hands down one of the most intense books I have ever read. It is exquisitely written. 

Favourite podcast? 

I grew up on a farm in Canada and recently became interested in a farming podcast – Rock & Roll Farming. It is all about getting to know about the people who produce the food we eat and has as a lot of great discussion about sustainable farming. I’m also really enjoying the Boys! Boys! Boys! Podcasts. They are inspiring discussions with leading queer creatives. As I often can’t get to the talks in person the podcasts are the next best thing! 

Any hobbies? 

I am a ceramicist in my spare time. It is something I started in 2021 and I quickly became hooked. It now takes up ALL my weekends! I also love cycling, but not sure that is a hobby. 

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry.

Take risks. Always ask – you might just get the answer you want. Never be too scared or shy to say hello to someone – you never know what door it might open. Think but don’t think too long – it is all about doing. Focus on solutions not problems. If you believe in the work you create so will others. No one starts out brilliant, just keep doing it over and over and over – you will naturally get better.