Vicky Blackburn
Artistic Director Gibber Australia at Gibber- Claim this Profile
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French Elementary proficiency
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Bio
Natalie Persoglio
We (United Utilities) can clearly see the impact of Gibber's workshops on the vlog entries that we received. The theme of ‘think before you flush’ has been cleverly instilled into entertaining and fun workshops. Your support before during and after the project has been wonderful, we’ve really appreciated the sense that we’re working as a team towards the same goals. Gibber has gone above and beyond, and we are very much looking forward to working with you in the future.
Dr Jane Cavanagh
As Director of Widening Participation at the University of Western Sydney and Deputy Chair of the Bridges Consortium I commissioned Gibber Australia to undertake a series of performances designed to highlight the possibilities and benefits of Higher Education for Year 7 audiences from LSES groups in Greater Western Sydney and in rural New South Wales. I have known Tim Watt and Vicky Blackburn for over 10 years and worked with them previous in my role at the University of Plymouth, England. Tim and Vicky, and the wider Gibber team, have provided a service that far surpassed all expectations, exceeded all participation targets and effectively delivered the foundational messages about Higher Education that are central to Widening Participation. Throughout my 17 year experience in Widening Participation I have not come across such an effective medium as educational theatre performance for conveying fundamental messages about Higher Education and their company are remarkable in this field. There are any number of myths, misperceptions and constant media attention about the cost of Higher Education that translate into an automatic ruling out of the possibility for many young people and adults. The performances introduce the idea to many, and get some students to re-examine the possibility of attending higher education by participating in an exciting, age-suited performance that particularly highlights the multiple pathways. I have seen a number of educational theatre performances and nothing compares to Gibber. Immediate electronic key pad feedback provides evidence that message penetration and retention is exceptional, audience excitement is elevated, and teacher approval high. Of the 500 plays that I expected to take place at schools not one single performance has been missed by the company and they have all been delivered to an exceptionally high standard whatever the practicalities of the situation. The scripts constantly message the important elements we have highlighted, the dialogue is full of humour, cultural and zeitgeist references, is very fast, with well-choreographed dance routines and songs of the moment that manage to captivate even the most hardened teenager. Gibber deliver a whole package incomparable to their competitors, they are an absolute pleasure to work with and I thoroughly recommend them without any hesitation. I am looking forward to working with them again at some point in the future. Dr Jane Cavanagh Formerly Director of Widening Participation, University of Western Sydney, 2012-2015.
Natalie Persoglio
We (United Utilities) can clearly see the impact of Gibber's workshops on the vlog entries that we received. The theme of ‘think before you flush’ has been cleverly instilled into entertaining and fun workshops. Your support before during and after the project has been wonderful, we’ve really appreciated the sense that we’re working as a team towards the same goals. Gibber has gone above and beyond, and we are very much looking forward to working with you in the future.
Dr Jane Cavanagh
As Director of Widening Participation at the University of Western Sydney and Deputy Chair of the Bridges Consortium I commissioned Gibber Australia to undertake a series of performances designed to highlight the possibilities and benefits of Higher Education for Year 7 audiences from LSES groups in Greater Western Sydney and in rural New South Wales. I have known Tim Watt and Vicky Blackburn for over 10 years and worked with them previous in my role at the University of Plymouth, England. Tim and Vicky, and the wider Gibber team, have provided a service that far surpassed all expectations, exceeded all participation targets and effectively delivered the foundational messages about Higher Education that are central to Widening Participation. Throughout my 17 year experience in Widening Participation I have not come across such an effective medium as educational theatre performance for conveying fundamental messages about Higher Education and their company are remarkable in this field. There are any number of myths, misperceptions and constant media attention about the cost of Higher Education that translate into an automatic ruling out of the possibility for many young people and adults. The performances introduce the idea to many, and get some students to re-examine the possibility of attending higher education by participating in an exciting, age-suited performance that particularly highlights the multiple pathways. I have seen a number of educational theatre performances and nothing compares to Gibber. Immediate electronic key pad feedback provides evidence that message penetration and retention is exceptional, audience excitement is elevated, and teacher approval high. Of the 500 plays that I expected to take place at schools not one single performance has been missed by the company and they have all been delivered to an exceptionally high standard whatever the practicalities of the situation. The scripts constantly message the important elements we have highlighted, the dialogue is full of humour, cultural and zeitgeist references, is very fast, with well-choreographed dance routines and songs of the moment that manage to captivate even the most hardened teenager. Gibber deliver a whole package incomparable to their competitors, they are an absolute pleasure to work with and I thoroughly recommend them without any hesitation. I am looking forward to working with them again at some point in the future. Dr Jane Cavanagh Formerly Director of Widening Participation, University of Western Sydney, 2012-2015.
Natalie Persoglio
We (United Utilities) can clearly see the impact of Gibber's workshops on the vlog entries that we received. The theme of ‘think before you flush’ has been cleverly instilled into entertaining and fun workshops. Your support before during and after the project has been wonderful, we’ve really appreciated the sense that we’re working as a team towards the same goals. Gibber has gone above and beyond, and we are very much looking forward to working with you in the future.
Dr Jane Cavanagh
As Director of Widening Participation at the University of Western Sydney and Deputy Chair of the Bridges Consortium I commissioned Gibber Australia to undertake a series of performances designed to highlight the possibilities and benefits of Higher Education for Year 7 audiences from LSES groups in Greater Western Sydney and in rural New South Wales. I have known Tim Watt and Vicky Blackburn for over 10 years and worked with them previous in my role at the University of Plymouth, England. Tim and Vicky, and the wider Gibber team, have provided a service that far surpassed all expectations, exceeded all participation targets and effectively delivered the foundational messages about Higher Education that are central to Widening Participation. Throughout my 17 year experience in Widening Participation I have not come across such an effective medium as educational theatre performance for conveying fundamental messages about Higher Education and their company are remarkable in this field. There are any number of myths, misperceptions and constant media attention about the cost of Higher Education that translate into an automatic ruling out of the possibility for many young people and adults. The performances introduce the idea to many, and get some students to re-examine the possibility of attending higher education by participating in an exciting, age-suited performance that particularly highlights the multiple pathways. I have seen a number of educational theatre performances and nothing compares to Gibber. Immediate electronic key pad feedback provides evidence that message penetration and retention is exceptional, audience excitement is elevated, and teacher approval high. Of the 500 plays that I expected to take place at schools not one single performance has been missed by the company and they have all been delivered to an exceptionally high standard whatever the practicalities of the situation. The scripts constantly message the important elements we have highlighted, the dialogue is full of humour, cultural and zeitgeist references, is very fast, with well-choreographed dance routines and songs of the moment that manage to captivate even the most hardened teenager. Gibber deliver a whole package incomparable to their competitors, they are an absolute pleasure to work with and I thoroughly recommend them without any hesitation. I am looking forward to working with them again at some point in the future. Dr Jane Cavanagh Formerly Director of Widening Participation, University of Western Sydney, 2012-2015.
Natalie Persoglio
We (United Utilities) can clearly see the impact of Gibber's workshops on the vlog entries that we received. The theme of ‘think before you flush’ has been cleverly instilled into entertaining and fun workshops. Your support before during and after the project has been wonderful, we’ve really appreciated the sense that we’re working as a team towards the same goals. Gibber has gone above and beyond, and we are very much looking forward to working with you in the future.
Dr Jane Cavanagh
As Director of Widening Participation at the University of Western Sydney and Deputy Chair of the Bridges Consortium I commissioned Gibber Australia to undertake a series of performances designed to highlight the possibilities and benefits of Higher Education for Year 7 audiences from LSES groups in Greater Western Sydney and in rural New South Wales. I have known Tim Watt and Vicky Blackburn for over 10 years and worked with them previous in my role at the University of Plymouth, England. Tim and Vicky, and the wider Gibber team, have provided a service that far surpassed all expectations, exceeded all participation targets and effectively delivered the foundational messages about Higher Education that are central to Widening Participation. Throughout my 17 year experience in Widening Participation I have not come across such an effective medium as educational theatre performance for conveying fundamental messages about Higher Education and their company are remarkable in this field. There are any number of myths, misperceptions and constant media attention about the cost of Higher Education that translate into an automatic ruling out of the possibility for many young people and adults. The performances introduce the idea to many, and get some students to re-examine the possibility of attending higher education by participating in an exciting, age-suited performance that particularly highlights the multiple pathways. I have seen a number of educational theatre performances and nothing compares to Gibber. Immediate electronic key pad feedback provides evidence that message penetration and retention is exceptional, audience excitement is elevated, and teacher approval high. Of the 500 plays that I expected to take place at schools not one single performance has been missed by the company and they have all been delivered to an exceptionally high standard whatever the practicalities of the situation. The scripts constantly message the important elements we have highlighted, the dialogue is full of humour, cultural and zeitgeist references, is very fast, with well-choreographed dance routines and songs of the moment that manage to captivate even the most hardened teenager. Gibber deliver a whole package incomparable to their competitors, they are an absolute pleasure to work with and I thoroughly recommend them without any hesitation. I am looking forward to working with them again at some point in the future. Dr Jane Cavanagh Formerly Director of Widening Participation, University of Western Sydney, 2012-2015.
Experience
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Gibber Educational
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United Kingdom
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Professional Training and Coaching
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1 - 100 Employee
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Artistic Director Gibber Australia
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Apr 2013 - Present
My primary role with Gibber Australia Pty Ltd is to take responsibility for leading, managing, developing and directing Gibber’s artistic programs. I contribute to the strategic development of the company and am responsible for the recruitment, retention and training of all delivery staff. I work in partnership with delivery staff and partner organisations to maintain standards of excellence and promote an understanding of Gibber’s ethos and artistic vision. I work closely with the client to ensure learning objectives are identified and incorporated into sessions creating a bespoke delivery model that is well researched, results driven and provides excellent value for money. Since September 2017 we have been working with Diageo Australia to adapt their UK underage drinking program; the ‘Smashed Project’ for an Australian audience. Underpinned with links to the Australian curriculum and underage drinking laws across each state the program launched in Canberra on 7th May 2018 – and will reach over 200 schools across New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Queensland. email: vicky@wearegibber.comtwitter: @wearegibber
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Owner/ Creative Director
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Apr 1999 - Present
Since becoming a company director and 50% share holder of the company in 2004 I have been responsible for the strategic development and organisational management of the company in partnership with the technical director. My creative ability is evidenced in 16 years experience of successfully producing innovative drama based learning programs, (devising, scheduling, touring and evaluating) whilst cost effectively managing multiple delivery teams simultaneously across the UK and Australia.I have produced a number of broadcast quality films, which are shown as part of the live performance. Our original dramatic films have been recognised by the Royal Television Society and short-listed for the award of best production for a target audience.email: vicky@wearegibber.comtwitter: @wearegibber
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Artistic Director
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Apr 2013 - Present
In April 2013 Gibber Australia Pty Ltd was born, having worked successfully in the UK since 1999 we tendered for an opportunity in Australia in 2013 and won the contract!We began working alongside 5 of the biggest Universities in Sydney to design and deliver a schools based widening participation project to schools across the Sydney Basin. The first project was a massive success with the contract being extended and Gibber are now delivering ongoing programs throughout NSW, ACT, Victoria and Queensland.email: vicky@wearegibber.comtwitter: @wearegibber
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BBC
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United Kingdom
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Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
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700 & Above Employee
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Professional Actor
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Jun 1989 - Oct 1997
Television BBC award-winning children’s drama ‘Byker Grove’. Main character actor ‘Alison’ in the BBC award-winning children’s drama ‘Byker Grove’. This program dealt with issues affecting relationships and lives of young people set in a Youth Club – the stories were fictitious but dealt with real issues. I worked alongside script writers & helped devise realistic storylines. I gained 3 months directorial experience and shadowed the director from story concept, through to final edit. Television BBC award-winning children’s drama ‘Byker Grove’. Main character actor ‘Alison’ in the BBC award-winning children’s drama ‘Byker Grove’. This program dealt with issues affecting relationships and lives of young people set in a Youth Club – the stories were fictitious but dealt with real issues. I worked alongside script writers & helped devise realistic storylines. I gained 3 months directorial experience and shadowed the director from story concept, through to final edit.
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CragRats
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Business Skills Training
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1 - 100 Employee
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Training Facilitator
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Apr 1997 - Sep 1997
Educational Theatre - issue based performance and workshops. Duties included • Developing credible characters that would appeal to young people. • Acting for children and young people in schools and small/middle scale theatre venues • Developing scripts • Stage management including sound and lighting. • Tour planning and logistics Educational Theatre - issue based performance and workshops. Duties included • Developing credible characters that would appeal to young people. • Acting for children and young people in schools and small/middle scale theatre venues • Developing scripts • Stage management including sound and lighting. • Tour planning and logistics
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Living Memory Theatre Co.
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Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Professional Actor
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Sep 1996 - Jan 1997
Workshop Facilitator - Drama workshops catering for senior citizens Workshop Facilitator - Drama workshops catering for senior citizens
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Northumberland Theatre Company
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Northumberland
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Professional Actor
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Jan 1987 - Dec 1996
Northumberland Theatre company afforded me my first professional acting job straight out of college to deliver ‘Happy Hours’ I continued my working relationship with NTC around my television commitments delivering Christmas shows for 3 years before progressing into mainstream theatres to act in Traditional Pantomimes: Jack and The Beanstalk, Treasure Island, Sleeping Beauty, The Snow Queen, Puss in Boots, Dick Whittington and Cinderella. Northumberland Theatre company afforded me my first professional acting job straight out of college to deliver ‘Happy Hours’ I continued my working relationship with NTC around my television commitments delivering Christmas shows for 3 years before progressing into mainstream theatres to act in Traditional Pantomimes: Jack and The Beanstalk, Treasure Island, Sleeping Beauty, The Snow Queen, Puss in Boots, Dick Whittington and Cinderella.
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Education
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2001 - 2003
The Open University
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1986 - 1988
Tyne Metropolitan College
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1981 - 1986
Longbenton Community College
Community
