After six years of dedicated service, Rosie Timoney will be stepping down as Chairperson of Bruiser Theatre Company. Rosie joined Bruiser’s board in 2016 through the Young Professionals on Arts Board programme with Arts and Business NI. Since joining the company, Rosie served as Treasurer in 2018 and was elected to Chairperson in 2019.
Rosie has guided the organisation with a very steady hand through many hardships; not least of all the coronavirus pandemic. Following a devastating cut in annual funding in 2018, Bruiser was facing significant challenges. Rosie helped guide the company through the immediate difficulties, and rose to the challenge of helping Bruiser stabilise and grow.
Rosie was influential in delivering the ‘Save Bruiser’ campaign that built both visibility for the organisation and garnered the support of our many beneficiaries. Testimonies gathered through this campaign from young people, teachers and artists we’ve supported over the years, have been fundamental to the remodelling of Bruiser’s approach and mission. In 2021, Rosie's hard work was recognised when she was awarded the Inspirational Trustee Award at the Arts & Business NI Awards.
"Being on the board of Bruiser has been very important to me for many reasons. I will miss it, but will be watching with a keen interest as it goes from strength to strength."
Lisa May, Bruiser’s Artistic Director said, “Rosie’s honest, calm, practical nature has been an absolute godsend to me in recent years. As Chair, Rosie made it her mission to understand the company and the sector, and this meant she understood the pressure and stress. Rosie trusted me and believed in Bruiser, helping us to ride out the storms and push forward. A voice of reason and a thoroughly good egg. We are going to miss Rosie terribly but we wish her the very best in her future endeavours as a Trustee of The Lyric Theatre, and would like to thank her for her hard work and dedication to the company.”
Joe Rea will assume the position of Chairperson on 1st January 2023. Joe was a professional actor for 16 years before turning to producing theatre. Joe worked as Director of Development for GBL Productions in 2010 before becoming its senior producer in 2012. Over the years he has produced many shows including: Dancing Shoes - the George Best Story, 50 Shades of Red White and Blue, and The History of the Peace (accordin’ to my Ma).
"Theatre and the performing arts should be at the heart of any community, inspiring and entertaining us in equal measure. Bruiser Theatre Company has been leading the way for inspirational and entertaining audiences in the North of Ireland for 25 years. I am honoured to take up the Chair of Bruiser Theatre Company and look forward to helping steer the company in the coming years."
We welcome Joe’s appointment and are excited to work with him to continue to create high-quality theatre experiences and arts engagement opportunities for audiences locally, nationally and internationally in the future.
