Young Producers q&a
Our Young Producers have been working incredibly hard over the last few months learning what it takes to plan and deliver a live poetry event. The Young Producer programme continued following our merger with Poet in the City and has been delivered in conjunction with Dugdale Arts Centre.
As the producers enter their final sessions and with their live event on the horizon we took a few moments to speak to some of the participants to find out why they decided to apply to the course, what they’ve learned during the past months and where the future might take them…
Toyosi Somoye
What do you think is the most important thing you have learned about producing?
The most important thing I’ve learned about producing is the value of adaptability. One key lesson the facilitators emphasized during the programme is that things will inevitably go wrong, whether on the day of the event or during the planning process. Being able to stay calm and adjust as new challenges arise is an essential skill for any producer.
Why do you think developing the next generation of Producers is important for the industry?
Developing the next generation of producers is essential for building a lasting legacy in the industry. It’s the responsibility of those who came before to share their knowledge, helping others avoid similar mistakes and grow stronger. Producers play a critical role in overseeing and managing projects, ensuring they come to life. By cultivating capable, passionate, and eager producers, we can sustain the poetry industry and continue attracting audiences to shows and events.
About Toyosi:
Toyosi is a British-Nigerian project manager, poet, and spoken word artist with a deep passion for storytelling.
As a TEDx speaker, she uses her words to build meaningful worlds, striving to make people feel SEEn (served, educated, and empowered) through her work.
Toyosi joined the Young Producers course to expand her skill set and deepen her understanding of bringing ideas to life, from conception to execution.
Alexandra Betts
Why is becoming a poetry producer important to you?
I enjoy giving people a platform to have a voice and express themselves. In producing poetry events, I enjoy being able to organise an event that brings together an audience and a speaker who shares their work in a personal and intimate space.
What have you enjoyed about the producer’s course?
I have enjoyed the opportunity to learn about a valuable job in the industry which I didn’t know much about before starting this course. I’ve loved knowing this course will give back to my local community by providing them with great entertainment and hopefully a new outlook or feeling to walk away with.
About Alexandra:
Alexandra Betts is a student and amateur theatre performer from a British-Columbian background based in Enfield, North London. She is a theatre lover with a growing interest in poetry and spoken word, who works to give people a voice. She has worked with Chickenshed Theatre Company’s summer programme to provide acting workshops to young children, and worked with the BBC in shadowing a TV drama director and their crew. She hopes to continue to grow into the industry, learning new roles and gaining new experiences across the wide world of creative arts and performance.
Faith Falayi
What have you enjoyed about the producer’s course?
I’ve really enjoyed meeting and working with all the other producers. There’s always a great energy in the room and it’s amazing to be able to bring all our talents and ideas together to create an event we’re proud of.
Why is becoming a poetry producer important to you?
It’s important to me because celebrating poetry and poets is a way to keep so many individual and interlinking communities alive. Giving space to these words, ideas and expressions has a lasting impact that goes far beyond the end of any poetry night.
About Faith:
Faith is a University of Cambridge English graduate, spoken word artist and creative based in Peterborough.
Her work focuses on documenting and archiving the art of everyday life. Currently, Faith works with the Peterborough Cultural Alliance to co-produce and host ‘Culture Talks’, a podcast celebrating and challenging the various aspects of cultural engagement in the city.
Zoe Athanasiou
Tell us about your plans once the sessions have finished?
Once the sessions have ended, I’ll keep working with the music organisations like Odyssey
Festival Orchestra (as the Social Media Manager) that I’m already involved with, putting
everything I’ve learned into practice. I’m also excited to have the confidence to produce
some projects of my own for example a local Enfield clothes swap event and local music and
poetry events using the skills and connections I’ve gained along the way.
Why is becoming a poetry producer important to you?
Becoming a poetry producer matters to me because I’m passionate about creating spaces
where the arts, especially spoken forms like poetry, are accessible to everyone. With my
undergraduate background in English Literature and Music from the University of Leeds, I’ve
always believed in the power of the arts to spark change and start important conversations.
I’d love to be part of amplifying voices through poetry and using it to make a real impact in
society.
Why do you think developing the next generation of Producers is important for the
industry?
Developing the next generation of producers is really important because learning these skills
isn’t always accessible with the cost of living, lack of funding for the arts and high
educational fees. A course like this is great because it lets young people build their skills
while still working full-time jobs, which makes a huge difference
What have you enjoyed about the producer’s course?
I’ve really enjoyed working with the facilitators and getting great advice from them during
the course. Learning the theory behind producing has been super interesting and helpful.
Plus, meeting other young producers and building a network has been such a lovely
experience!
About Zoe:
Zoé is a passionate producer with a BA English Literature and Music degree from the University of Leeds. She is driven by the belief that the arts can create social change and express culture, emotion, and feeling. A lifelong musician with a Diploma level in the Violin and Grade 8 proficiency in both Oboe and Piano, Zoé’s love for live events was sparked by her experience playing in multiple musical ensembles. Zoé is also a violinist and Social Media Manager for the Odyssey Festival Orchestra, contributing to concert production and marketing ideas. Her work is all about creating meaningful and accessible experiences while connecting communities through the arts.
Ebun Lawal
What has surprised you most about learning to become a producer?
I did not expect to have these many spreadsheets and planning involved in events. There are also so many unwritten rules that you should know that you tend to learn from experience. It was great to learn from people that have vast experience organising events.
What has surprised you most about learning to become a producer?
I will organise events in the Houses of Parliaments that will inspire young people to get involved in having their voices heard in politics.
About Ebun
My name is Ebun. I’m the founder of Corporate Jungle, we help connect Tech businesses with great sales people. I have organised events in Parliament, prisons around London and corporate spaces but this programme really forced me to understand the fundamentals!
I hope you guys enjoy our event.
Ozioma Ihesiene
Tell us about your plans once the sessions have finished?
After this programme, I plan to create poetry workshops that help people navigate the feeling of loneliness through creative expression. The Enfield Producers Programme has been invaluable in teaching me how to produce and orchestrate meaningful events in the world of poetry. My goal is to empower individuals to find connection and healing through their words, and I’m excited to bring these workshops to life and build spaces where creativity becomes a bridge to community.
About Ozioma
Ozioma Ihesiene is a dynamic creative force—an actor, writer, and director. She starred in the BAFTA-shortlisted short Festival of Slaps and won POCC’s “Future Perspectives” competition with her poem Prayer, which was showcased on billboards across the U.K. Her directorial debut, Before I Go, premiered at Theatre Peckham and sold out at Camden People’s Theatre and Brixton House, with the play now published text. She is part of the Enfield producers cohort, as she continues crafting spaces and impactful stories.
Now discover what our Young Producers have been creating over the last few months:
Rewind: Take me back
Friday 07 Mar, 7pm-9:30pm
Dugdale Arts Centre
From the poetry performances to live music, expect a blast from the past that will have you unlocking memories you didn’t even know you forgot. This will be an exciting evening to bring your friend, bring a parent, bring your whole family along. This is an opportunity to experience a night of poetry and live music.