Donna M. DuCarme
Creative Facilitator/Writer/Farmer
US/NL/UK
Telephone (UK) +44(0)798.566.1682
Skype donna.ducarme
Web (creative work) www.donnaducarme.com / donna@donnaducarme.com
Web (The Hirsel) www.thehirsel.com / info@thehirsel.com
Nationality/Languages American (native) + Dutch (naturalized)
Profile
My love for the creative process is balanced by an ability to prioritize tasks and trouble-shoot problems, while keeping a clear sense of our long term goals, and I can lead or support, depending on the needs of the project. My experience working with and without comfortable budgets, and with people from many backgrounds and disciplines, makes me comfortable working in a wide variety of environments. The common theme in all my work is that I love helping clients and projects reach their maximum potential. My Myers Briggs profile is Counselor INFJ. I’m legal to work in the USA, UK, and EU. Please note, though, that I’m currently only accepting projects that can be managed from my location at the Hirsel, the farm I manage with my husband in the Scottish Highlands, and prefer farm/rural themed assignments.
Project list: Theater/Film credits
Project list: Writer/Translator
Project list: Exhibitions (2005-2011)
Project list: Events (2005-2011, additional on request)
Project list: Courses hosted at ABC Treehouse (2006-2011)
Skills/Experience
Creative
|
Administrative
|
General
- Can work independently or as part of a team;
- Excellent communication skills
- Comfortable working with all ages, disciplines, backgrounds
- Community building and troubleshooting venue/community issues
Experience
2015 – present (full time)
Partner / Farmer
Hirsel Enterprises – The Hirsel
The Hirsel is a 35-acre family farm located in the scenic Highlands of Scotland, which I manage with my husband/partner Donald Gillies. We are rehabilitating this historic hill farm (which previously sat fallow for 30 years), using regenerative, nature friendly techniques. We raise heritage breed sheep (Hebrideans) and pigs (Gloucestershire Old Spot), and are developing a permaculture garden, and a fruit orchard which includes such heritage breeds such as ‘Bloody Ploughman’ and the rare ‘Court Pendu Plat’. Find us on the web at https://www.thehirsel.com, and https://www.facebook.com/TheHirsel/
1980 – 2020 (occasional)
Film writer/translator (since 2002) & Theatre arts generalist (since 1980)
Multiple clients, USA, NL, UK.
Film: writing, translating, coaching, script doctoring. Stage: writing, producing, directing, and performance. See project lists below for specific credits.
2000 –2015 Creative Facilitator, (Self-Employed)
I have offered project support from concept to opening night and beyond, working in the areas of film and theatre, the visual arts, and the community. I’ve participated in the creation or rehabilitation of multiple arts and community centres: as a member of City Lights Theatre Company (San Jose, CA) facilitating our move from a church basement to a re-purposed performance space; as a founding member of Mobius Stageworks (San Jose, CA), a dance/theatre company which participated in turning an abandoned canning factory into a mixed use creative space; as Arnold Engelman’s (owner, Westbeth Entertainment, NYC) Associate Producer, managing and rehabilitating the Westbeth Theatre Center (see below); and as the Manager of the ABC Treehouse in Amsterdam, NL (see below).
2014 – 2015 Founding Director
Inverkeithing Arts Initiative CIC
One of four founding directors of this Ltd Community Interest Company, which facilitates and supports opportunities for community participation in a broad spectrum of educational, cultural and heritage, artistic, and other activities which foster creativity and lifelong learning in Inverkeithing and SW Fife .
2002 –2015 Artistic Director/Producer Theaterworks Amsterdam, NL (occasional)
This company focused on new and classical works of a socially or politically relevant nature, and worked with entertainment and teaching professionals from the Dutch and international community living in the Netherlands.
2006 –2011 Manager and Programmer
ABC Treehouse – Amsterdam, NL
The Treehouse was a cultural venue with 3 meeting/workshop rooms and a gallery program, serving Amsterdam’s Dutch and international business and arts communities. During my tenancy, I worked on professionalizing our services and operational procedures, and broadening the outreach into the community. I was responsible for program development, promotions, event management and hosting, booking and billing, facility management, staff and volunteer supervision. I also directed the art exhibition program – 50 exhibitions during my tenure, 16 of which I curated or co-curated.
1994-1999 Associate Producer and Venue Manager
Westbeth Theatre Center, New York City, NY
An 18,000 sq. ft. performance facility and production company with three stages and two full bar facilities. Programming included “Showcase” and Off Broadway productions, cabarets, concerts and solo shows, as well as hosting Broadway-bound rehearsals and outside events. My responsibilities included: client management, on-site event and production management; scouting and booking projects; troubleshooting capacity, box office, and guest list issues; oversight of all aspects of the day-to-day operations; hiring, training and supervision of staff and volunteers; community outreach and problem solving; facility management. I also curated the New Works program, for which I was responsible for playwright and script development; coordination and direction of readings and workshop productions; search and hire of workshop teachers and directors.
1987-1989 Administrative and teaching assistant
Academy of the Sword, California
This instruction and performance company specialized in stage combat techniques. While there, I served as a general office assistant: coordinating registrations and bookings, reception, travel, etc, as well as the interim office manager while the directors were out of town. I completed the certification process for multiple weapons techniques. In addition, I performed, assisted the instructor during the adult classes, and taught the youth classes.
1985-1987 Assistant to the Executive Producer
San Jose Repertory Company, California
Regional (LORT) Theatre Company. Acting as the E.P.’s first full time assistant, my tasks included scheduling, travel arrangements, correspondence, filing and phones; representing the organization at events and speaking engagements; and organizing and teaching classes for the annual “Arts in Education” project. While in this position I also served as the liaison to the board of directors and volunteer groups, as well as the special assistant on the ‘New Theatre Project”, a $14 million plan to design and build a company theater facility (which facility was successfully built by a subsequent administration). I also served as assistant to the Artistic Director on two mainstage productions.
1983 – 1984 Producer and company member
City Lights Theater Company, San Jose CA
First working as a costume designer for this company’s debut production, I moved quickly into front of house and eventual producing roles. My overall responsibilities included production planning; marketing; fundraising (events and grants); volunteer and staff management; and liaising with other companies, city officials and the community. I participated in efforts to convince Equity that Bay Area theaters should be able to produce under ‘showcase’ rules, and spearheaded the relocation of the company from its initial home to a re-purposed facility in San Jose’s redevelopment zone.
Education and Training
2015 First Aid at Work, Certificate, via St. Andrews First Aid
2014 Proofreading and Copy-Editing, introductory courses, via Society for Editors and Proofreaders
2014 Script Editing & Development Skills, via BECTU (www.bectu.org.uk); Trainer Ludo Smolski
2012 Federal Voting Assistance Program, Certificate of Training, via US Consulate, Amsterdam
2010 & 2011 First Aid for businesses + AED (Certificate); MKB Cursus en Training BV, Amsterdam
2001-2002 Dutch as a 2nd language/Integration Course (Certificate Level 3.4); ROC Amsterdam
1980 – 1999 Workshops in writing, performance, and dance; various instructors, CA & NY
1989 -1990 Wells Fargo Management Training Series, In-company, San Francisco Children’s Council; time and management, employee supervision and review, active listening, problem solving.
1985 City of San Jose Grantees Workshop Series (for companies receiving city grants); Long range planning, fundraising, publicity
1980 – 1982 Course work toward B.A. Degree, San Jose State University, CA, Theater/Dance
1976 – 1980 A.A. degree, San Jose City College, CA, Theater and Dance
Donna DuCarme 