SOUTHEND IS BRIMMING FULL OF CREATIVITY
We set up SHOW UP! SOUTHEND to showcase our flourishing arts and live entertainment scene, through an easy to use listing site.
We have a focus on home grown projects but we want to highlight all the work created right here in Southend. So if you’re looking to discover hidden gems you’re in the right place!
WHO ARE WE?
RACHEL DINGLE
Founder
Rachel founded Show Up! Southend during the first lockdown. She works in theatre as a costume and wardrobe supervisor and occasional designer.
She is also focusing on writing and producing theatre and live events.
AVRIL HOCKETT
Avril set up Seaside Circus, and Seaside Treasures.
She teaches circus skills and makes jewellery from sea glass found on local beaches.
She’s also a dancer.
AMY FORD
Market Stall Assistant
Amy runs Pickle and Squish! She’s a local artist focusing on her love for nature through her illustrations, wildflower jewellery and original homeware.
She also teaches at USP College, and runs workshops at Create98.
KATE BARHAM
Creative Spotlight Coordinator
KAREN MITCHELL
Market Database Coordinator
Karen own Arty Crafts Essex, a studio where she runs a variety of creative workshops in the heart of Southchurch. You will also find a curated selection of handmade products from local artisans available to purchase.
She loves many forms of Art and her focus is mixed media, and she is an advocate for using art to improve mental health.
RUBY CHITTENDON
Writer
Ruby has a journalism degree and spends her days working in marketing and communications. When she’s not busy looking after her lovely 3 year old daughter, she spends her time going to live music gigs and listening to true crime podcasts.
ALLIE WATSON
Writer
Allie creates art under the name Torn Paper Pieces.
She uses creativity as a way to deal with her Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) and physical disabilities.
She volunteers with Open Arts, a community arts and health programme which helps manage and maintain mental health and wellbeing through creativity.
Her textiles work in particular focuses on what it feels like to have a hidden illness. It is a platform to say and show things that are often very difficult to convey.
COULD THIS BE YOU!?
Want to get involved?! Email us on events@showupsouthend.com!
We’d love to hear from you
WHY DID WE START THIS?!
SHOW UP! SOUTHEND was set up during the lockdown in 2020, by Rachel – a theatre maker and her software developer best mate; Tash. Rachel had the majority of her work cancelled and was fed up by the constant bad news surrounding the live entertainment industry. So to do something positive she started promoting events and creatives in Southend and discovered there was an unbelievable amount of untapped talent.
As well as marketing events, this platform is here to support creatives in anyway we can. We have already had several conversations with different people about how we can help; including networking events, pop up shops, script reading nights etc. All of which are in the pipeline…..
If there’s anything you need just let us know and we’ll do our best to help!
WHY DO WE PROMOTE LOCAL?!
- Your support truly makes the industry more accessible to more people; allowing new talent to be seen and nurtured.
- Save some time and cash! Factor in the time it takes to get to London say, and the price of the train, and the expense of a trip to the theatre or a museum is very costly. Great theatre and great art is created literally on your doorstep, and for a much smaller price.
- High quality! Work created in Southend regularly gets picked up and taken on beyond the county. See it here first!
- Intimate gigs are usually more memorable. If you share the experience of a live performance with less than 50 people, the feeling will definitely stick with you. You’ll feel more involved and invested.
- Community cash! Locally owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, therefore more money is kept in the local community. Also if you have planned to see a show or go to a gig then the chances are you will want to get some food before or go for a drink afterwards – and that puts money into other locally run businesses! It’s well known that for every £1 spent at the theatre a further £3 is spent in local area.
- Community spirit! Businesses are a big factor in defining the character of the community. The more arts, live entertainment and cultural events there are increases satisfaction with the local area, and in turn, happiness! Also local business owners live in the community and so are less likely to leave and, are more likely to invest in the community’s welfare and future.
- Small local business are the largest employers nationally! So more jobs! And the more local jobs means less people commute which leads to less pollution. It’s a completely win win situation!
BECOMING A FEATURED EVENT
SHOW! UP SOUTHEND Website and Newsletter is brought to you by Show Up Productions. A Theatre Company based in Southend. Click here to visit their website