About Us

The Empty Space was established in January 2007 by Natalie Querol and Caroline Routh, who share a passion for new and innovative work and for the north east of England.  Research had shown that the lack of support in the north east for this area of work had led to many promising artists and small theatre companies folding or leaving the region so The Empty Space was set up to create the conditions that would allow new work to flourish.

The Empty Space has three Directors:

Natalie Querol – is a producer specialising in artist development and company start up. Over the last eight years she has facilitated the development of numerous theatre companies in the north east and throughout the UK, including the Puppet Centre Trust, which she recently left to concentrate on her projects in the north east.

Caroline Routh – is a producer and arts management consultant. She ran Battersea Arts Centre for three years, working alongside the Artistic Director to establish a development ladder for artists, producers and staff, then moved to the north east to become Executive Director of Northern Stage. Having successfully led the £9.5M refurbishment of Newcastle Playhouse she is now freelancing in the region.

Jill Cole - is a freelance arts manager, arts fundraiser and youth theatre director. Recent projects include three small-scale professional operas for InterOpera – a three year youth arts project in the District of Easington – and a youth music funded singing project, which has developed to form part of the National Singing Programme. She is currently part-time Arts Office for Teesdale District Council.

The board is supported by an advisory panel whose membership includes Tim Bailey (architect), Richard Bliss (marketing consultant) and Gillian Firth (fundraiser)