Industry News: Susan Whiddington to step down from charity Go Live Theatre Projects, succeeded by Sita McIntosh

Theatre charity Go Live Theatre Projects, formerly The Mousetrap Foundation, has announced that its founding Chief Executive Susan Whiddington is leaving the organisation after 27 years.

Formerly a long-standing exec at the Society of London Theatre, Susan Whiddington CBE was awarded an Industry Recognition Olivier Award this year for her services to theatre and charity.

Taking over at Go Live Theatre Projects will experienced West End theatre exec Sita McIntosh, who starts her new role in autumn 2024.

McIntosh was formerly CEO of WhatsOnStage for 7 years. Previous roles have included at SEE Tickets, Ticketmaster and Stoll Moss Theatres. Sita is also chair of Curve Theatre in Leicester and the Kiln Theatre in North London.

McIntosh has recently been running Inclusive Audiences, an initiative she set up over two years ago working with producers, venues and agencies to increase and improve audience inclusion in theatres.

Go Live Theatre Projects enables 10,000 young people a year to access the theatre.

Sita McIntosh said in a statement: “I’ve been very fortunate to witness first hand and on numerous occasions, the transformative power of shared live theatre, especially on young people who are experiencing it for the first time. The emotional and intellectual benefits are indisputable, particularly on a generation that is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic. And that’s why Go Live Theatre Projects is such an incredible and essential charity. It exists to engage children and young people from low-income and challenging backgrounds with the performing arts, helping them to develop valuable life skills, knowledge and confidence. It’s an immense privilege to be asked to build on the amazing legacy left by Susan and continue the invaluable work of the charity. I look forward to taking the helm and creating the next chapter.”

Susan Whiddington said: “It’s been a long, adventurous and hugely rewarding journey and I’m always humbled when I realise how many young lives we’ve touched – nearly 250,000! I’m delighted to welcome someone of Sita’s experience, and in collaboration with our fantastic staff team, look forward to their strengthening the charity’s inspirational work with young people in schools and community settings, with families, and broadening the charity’s reach. Go Live will always be dear to my heart and I wish it every future success.”

Charles Prideaux, Chair of Go Live Theatre Projects, said: “On behalf of both the Go Live board and all those young people who have benefited from, we are hugely grateful for all that Susan Whiddington has achieved, for which was rightly recognised when she received an Olivier award earlier this year. We remain ever appreciative of all the funding support we receive from both trusts and foundations as well as individuals to continue the charity’s important work. We are now excited to welcome Sita to lead the charity such that its impact and reach can expand ever further.”

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Main photo: Susan Whiddington (Photo Danny Kaan) and Sita McIntosh (Photo Ellie Kurttz)