A new Chief Executive has joined York Theatre Royal this week.

Paul Crewes has a wealth of experience in the world of theatre and the Arts, as Chief Executive, Producer and Artistic Advisor, working with a range of theatre and Arts organisations throughout the UK and in the United States – including his recent role as Artistic Director of The Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts in Los Angeles.

Paul, who lives in Malton, said: “I am thrilled to have now joined the great team at York Theatre Royal. Over the next few weeks and months I’m looking forward to meeting our audiences, participants, creatives, Members, donors and partners and hearing from them what makes this fantastic theatre so important in the life of our wider community. I will continue to build on all that work - supporting great artists and practitioners as well as attracting and growing new audiences. This is an exciting time at York Theatre Royal and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Paul previously spent the first 15 years of his career working in producing Theatres including Bristol Old Vic, culminating as a Production Manager with companies as varied as Paines Plough, London Contemporary Dance Theatre, and from 1995-2001, Plymouth Theatre Royal. During this time, he also worked for 3 years as Director of Technical Training at RADA. In 2001-2004 Paul joined West Yorkshire Playhouse (now Leeds Playhouse) as Producer.

Other work includes producing the UK tour of Doorman for his own company in 2005, Associate Producer for the Lowry (including producing King Cotton), Producer for Phoenix Dance Theatre Company, and working for Metal with Jude Kelly.

In 2005 Paul joined Kneehigh. As Executive Producer and CEO.

From 2015 to 2021, Paul was Artistic Director of The Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts in Los Angeles. The Wallis produces and presents local, national and international work across theatre, dance, music and film.

Paul was a Trustee of Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse from 2008-2015, and was a member of the steering committee for the Stirling prize winning Everyman Theatre.