TGt Meets...Catherine Goss, Marketing Manager at the Wyvern Theatre

Meet our latest TGt meets...Catherine Goss, the marketing manager at the Wyvern Theatre. She told us all about what it's like working behind the scenes of showbiz!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself…

My introduction to the performing arts began at the tender age of five when I played the starring role of Mother Duck in my infant school assembly. Finding the whole experience “slightly traumatic” I decided early on that a life on the stage was really not for me and successfully avoided anything theatrical for 10 years until I was persuaded (aka bullied) to take on the role of a munchkin in my youth club’s production of The Wizard of Oz (not ideal for a tall girl!)

Aged 21 I left the sunny shores of Torquay and moved to the bright lights of Oxford where I started working at the Apollo Theatre (now the New Theatre). Realising that a life behind the scenes was good fun I moved into marketing and relished the challenges of promoting shows. In 2002 I became Marketing Manager of Glyndebourne Opera in East Sussex and then in 2007 I joined the Beck Theatre, Hayes (sister venue of Wyvern).

2. What was your previous job before working at the Wyvern Theatre?

I just had a six months sabbatical having worked at another HQ Theatre for 12 years as Marketing Manager and the Summer Youth Project Coordinator.

3. What lead you to pursue a career in marketing?

I fell into it really. I started as a casual Box Office assistant and then when a permanent Marketing assistant role became available I applied. I didn’t know a great deal about marketing; I just loved working in theatre and managed to convince the manager that I was enthusiastic and would work hard. I’m pretty organised, creative and positive so it just seemed to be a role that suited. I enjoy getting stuck into a project and seeing the final results.

4. Why did you apply to work at the Wyvern Theatre?

I knew Laura James (the Theatre Director) and several of the Wyvern team from my time with HQ Theatres. Laura was aware I was looking to return to work at the end of the summer and it just happened to coincide with the Marketing Manager’s maternity leave. So it was good timing really. The theatre programme is similar to my previous venue; I already know a lot of the show promoters, have worked with the pantomime producer for several years and understand the company’s ethos and expectations.

5. What are some of the roles you carry out in your day to day job?

At the moment it feels like I’m mainly dealing with invoices and budget tracking! In reality, every day is slightly different; I could be talking with promoters about selling their shows, tracking sales, analysing results and adjusting campaigns, dealing with local press enquiries and setting up interviews, briefing designers and proofing collateral, meetings with local businesses to discuss partnership opportunities and managing the marketing team on their day to day activities. As well as working on longer term strategies and planning projects with the other senior managers. There is always a lot going on which is great as I’m pretty rubbish at only doing one thing at a time – variety is good.

6. If you had to pick 5 people to go to dinner with, who would you pick?

(Dead or alive) my best friend (who sadly passed away earlier this year), Dolly Parton, Al Pacino, Michelle Obama and Pink.

7. What’s your favourite theatre performance you’ve watched?

I’ve seen A LOT of theatre over the years so I’m not sure I have just one actual favourite. I prefer musicals over drama and some of the most recent I’ve seen that I thought were brilliant include Come From Away (twice!) SIX and Hamilton.

8. When you aren’t busy at work what do you enjoy doing?

Given the chance I’ll be off exploring somewhere new, I’m a big fan of a city break – there’s a lot of interesting and beautiful places to visit without having to go too far. In the summer I travelled through the Alps and all the way down through Italy to Sicily on the train and had a brilliant time – so much to see and so much good food! I also love a binge-watch – count me in for a weekend of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal or Glee and a good old disaster movie….the cheesier the better!

Click HERE to find out more about the Wyvern Theatre and to see their upcoming shows!