Jamie Chapman Dixon appointed as Oxford Playhouse Interim CEO

News Story

Oxford Playhouse has appointed Jamie Chapman Dixon as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the organisation. Jamie joins Oxford Playhouse with a wealth of experience in the theatre and cultural sector and took up his appointment in November 2022.

Lucy Marcus, Chair of Oxford Playhouse Board of Trustees, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Jamie as the Interim CEO of Oxford Playhouse. He comes with a passion, commitment, and proven track record and will play a key role in bringing our aspirations for Oxford Playhouse to fruition in the coming months. Jamie’s approach is aligned with the ethos of Oxford Playhouse: bringing the best the theatre sector has to offer to both Oxford Playhouse mainstage and the Burton Taylor Studio; embracing new and innovative ideas as a cultural hub to continue to deepen and strengthen our work with the Oxford community and beyond; a commitment to fostering and nurturing talent across all areas of the theatre sector, from playwriting to producing and everything in between; and advocating bold new approaches to address the changing nature of the sector and ensuring the next generation is well equipped.”

Jamie Chapman Dixon said of his appointment: “Oxford Playhouse is an extraordinary institution with a storied history and an even brighter future. It is a pleasure to be joining Oxford Playhouse at such a critical point in its journey, and I am honoured to help lead Oxford Playhouse as it makes its way to even greater heights. Our aim is to continue developing a creative hub for local, national, and international talent whilst collaborating with established and upcoming production companies and organisations across the arts.”

Jamie Chapman Dixon was the originating Executive Producer and General Manager for the Barn Theatre, Cirencester and co-led the organisation to the 2019 Stage Fringe Theatre of the Year Award. With experience in the commercial and subsidised sectors, his portfolio of work is an eclectic mix of both commercially minded productions and venue operations. His commercial work has led him to produce the recent West End productions of Treason, Chess, Kinky Boots and Wonderville, whilst general managing the immersive productions of Peaky Blinders: The Rise and Doctor Who: Time Fracture.

Jamie is co-founder of Carter Dixon McGill Ltd, which works as a commercial producer within the live entertainment industry. Jamie’s work during the Covid pandemic saw him recognised as one of twenty West End producers named as the Rising Stars of the Future Nimax Theatres. His most recent work has seen him produce the West End hit, Blippi the Musical whilst being a General Manager for SMART Entertainment.

Jamie is founder of the Theatre Producer Portal, focusing on the financial connection between the commercial and subsidised sectors of theatre and film. He has been a guest lecturer for several organisations including Mountview Academy of Performing Arts, Central School of Speech and Drama and Italia Conti. He was the in-house producer for Fulham’s London Theatre Workshop and part of the producing team for the regional productions of An Improbable Musical, Madagascar, Spamalot, Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, Hair and The 39 Steps.

Oxford Playhouse is one of the country’s leading regional theatres. The only not-for-profit mid-scale venue in Oxfordshire, the Playhouse showcases international, national, regional, amateur and student companies, with 850+ events per year on its main stage, studio theatre, offsite and online. It also produces small and mid-scale productions, created from its mission to bring inspirational performance to Oxfordshire and beyond. Just as vital as the work on stage, is its exciting and diverse programme of creative learning for all and community work for all ages and abilities. Designed to inspire, connect, and support, Oxford Playhouse places particular focus on children and young people, developing artists and those adversely affected by social inequality in the city and region.

Recent co-productions and regional tours include The Remains of the Day, Richard III,Blue/Orange, Persuasion,The Dance of Death and Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), which transferred to West End and won 2022 Olivier Award for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play.

Oxford Playhouse is currently presenting its glittering pantomime, Cinderella, on the main stage, as well as a charming Christmas show for younger audiences in its Burton Taylor Studio, Crumple’s Christmas Adventure. Highlights of its Spring 2023 season include Bill Kenwright’s The Shawshank Redemption, starring Joe Absolom and Ben Onwukwe; Drive Your Plow Over TheBones Of The Dead, from Complicité, based on the work by the Nobel prize-winning author Olga Tokarczuk; and the Pilot Theatre production of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts & Crosses.