Alex Smith has been General Manager at innovative Leeds-based theatre company Unlimited Theatre since June 2006. After working as a stage-manager for many years, Alex swapped  a life backstage for the more family-friendly office hours of a General Manager, putting her organisational skills to the test, and finding a moment to chat to The Hype about life in the theatre industry…..

 Unlimited Theatre is in its tenth year now, tell us a bit about the company.

It was set up by four Leeds University students in 1997, who wanted to create theatre that explored new areas. All our shows come from within the company, and are usually about whatever topic comes to the minds of the writers, our last show was about quantum physics!

 You also run an ‘outreach programme’, working with schools. Do you think the theatre has an important role in education?

It’s sort of fundamental really, we want to enable students to gain skills in self-expression, and to learn to deal with their emotions in a different way. The development of the students we work with is amazing. In the modern world kids watch so much TV, they don’t get the chance to interact with actual artists.

 How did you get into the theatre industry?

Well I wanted to be an actor, but ended up going into stage management, touring with shows etc. My experience has all been behind the scenes, I realised early on that acting wasn’t really my thing.

 Do you ever feel a yearning to be on the stage, rather than behind it?

No, not anymore. I’ve got a tremendous admiration for people who do, it’s very brave. I love being part of it, but I certainly wouldn’t want to be up there.

 How would you describe your role at Unlimited Theatre?

I’m kind of like a project manager. I do the finances and the logistics of the tours, things like schedules and bookings, the nuts and bolts. It’s not very glamorous but it’s very varied, every day’s different.

 Working in the theatre industry often involves unusual hours; how do you cope?

It’s fine now as my job is an office job and I don’t usually attend rehearsals. Occasionally I’ll have to do a weekend or an evening but you work around it. When I was a stage manager I was working 60 hour weeks – it’s impossible to have a stable relationship, or children. It’s a very demanding job.

 What makes Unlimited Theatre different from other theatre companies in Leeds?

I think our product is unique. We deal with quite different topics that you don’t usually see in the theatre. The ethos of the company is to enjoy the work, and to try to give people a voice on a topic which often isn’t talked about, such as bereavement – we try to bring things out into the open.

 What’s been you favourite Unlimited Theatre show?

I’ve only been here eighteen months, but I really loved ‘Tangle’, I’m so pleased they’re touring it again.

 What would be your advice to people looking to get into the theatre business?

It depends on what you want to do. Get as much experience as you can and get to know as many people as possible, get on forums and mailing lists, and be prepared to work for free! Unlimited Theatre is actually running a course called ‘Starting Out’, for anyone looking to start up a production company.

Website: www.unlimited.org.uk

Upcoming show: ‘The Ethics of Progress’, 6/11/07, tickets available at Theatre in the Mill, Bradford