Meet Our Amplify Mentors
MARK DAKIN
We caught up with Mark about joining us as an Associate and his role in our AMPLIFY scheme
WHERE DID YOU FIRST ENCOUNTER TANGLE?
At a Stage Sight meeting in 2018. Stage Sight is an organisation working to create an off-stage workforce that is more reflective of our society today. Tangle is a founder member and I have been part of the committee since its inception.
WHY DID YOU BECOME A TANGLE ASSOCIATE?
Because of the AMPLIFY mentoring scheme. Anna Coombs and Associate Artist John Pfumojena invited me to get involved in 2019.
I mentored two alumni, Shivaike and Trevor, in 2020.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO JOIN US AND WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACHIEVE WITH US?
Finding genuine, authentic partnerships with colleagues who have demonstrable experience and a proven track record in supporting the progression of the Global Majority workforce in our sector is challenging. Post 2020 this space has become heavily populated with newcomers. Many are excellent and all are well intended, but in the rush to address the questions of underrepresentation and institutional bias, establishing a sustainable base and reframing the prevailing culture has often been overlooked.
Tangle and the AMPLIFY mentoring scheme, although currently small in scale, has well established deep roots in building a community of ongoing support and I believe has the resilience to grow and thrive in the long term. I hope to be part of nurturing that growth and building a community which will deliver a lasting change for the sector.
WHAT DOES AMPLIFY MEAN TO YOU?
Drawing others up as we rise.
Mark Dakin’s 40 year professional career as a theatre technician and manager has incorporated many roles for opera, theatre, dance and musical theatre companies across the world including the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, National Theatre, Theatre Royal Stratford East, The Young Vic, Bristol Old Vic, Sydney Theatre Company, Cameron Macintosh and The Really Useful Group. Read his full biography here.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN ASSOCIATE AT TANGLE?
To signpost my commitment to AMPLIFY and indicate to the sector that effective partnerships are found in scale of ambition not organisational size. The Royal Opera House and Tangle might seem an unlikely combination but being an Associate at Tangle and the Technical Director of the ROH feels a perfectly natural application of the creativity of thought that will generate the right questions to secure a new future for our sector.
You can find out more about our Amplify scheme, including how to apply, contact us to discuss your needs, or if you would like to become a mentor, here.