Key people: Erica Whyman OBE

Erica Whyman OBE, Photo by Ellie Kurttz Erica is Deputy Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Director of The Other Place. She works closely with Artistic Director Gregory Doran on all aspects of artistic strategy, taking a particular lead on the development of new work, and on extending access, equality, diversity and inclusion across all RSC activities.

Directing for the RSC includes Revolt, She Said. Revolt Again by Alice Birch ("witty, invigorating and inventive" Guardian), Hecuba by Marina Carr ("beautiful, terrifying...uncannily eloquent" Independent) and The Seven Acts of Mercy by Anders Lustgarten ("fiercely resonant" The Stage), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation ("dusted with magic" Guardian)

Erica was Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Northern Stage (2005-2012), Artistic Director of Southwark Playhouse (1998-2000) and of The Gate Theatre, Notting Hill (2000-2004). She chairs the Board of Theatre503.

She was one of the first fellows on the Clore Leadership Programme. In 2012 she won the TMA Award for Theatre Manager of the Year, and was awarded an OBE for services to UK Theatre. In 2016 she won the Peter Brook Empty Space Special Achievement Award.