(even if you're just starting out in your career) by Zeynep Gunaydin

I’m Zeynep, and I am a Trustee for Get into Theatre. However, first and foremost, I’m a lover of all things theatre. As an audience member and as a Producer working across theatre, dance and community projects. I’m five and a half years post-graduation and still very much in the early stages of my career, figuring out my path and goals, which in the theatre industry isn’t always easy.

What is a trustee, and why did I become one?
Trustees manage and protect a charity. They’re legally responsible for its overall management, direction, and financial oversight. That might sound daunting (and yes, I did sign a contract to confirm that responsibility). It’s also an incredible opportunity for me to give back to the industry, share my voice, and make a positive impact. It’s a role that continues to teach me and allows me to experience different aspects of how a charity operates.

Being a trustee is really about teamwork. It’s a group of people who each bring their own expertise and perspectives to support an organisation’s mission, and along the way, learn from and support each other. My first experience of a board of trustees was sitting on a youth board for a theatre charity. We met monthly, offered suggestions, and supported and led some of the organisation’s events as the youth voice. Through this I had the opportunity to be one of the first young people to host a panel for Theatrecraft. 

A Bride's Wove Plea, photo by Marc Gascoigne

I then became the board of trustees’ youth representative and experienced first-hand how a board operates, what they discuss and how they make decisions. It was the first time I was in a room of people who had jobs that I could only dream of having. They actually wanted to hear my opinion and ask about my own experiences. Having younger trustees on boards, particularly in the theatre sector, is vital. We bring fresh perspectives on what it’s like to enter the industry today. Creating space for younger voices isn’t just about representation; it’s about building a more inclusive, sustainable future for the industry.

Doorstep Duets - New Adventures, photo by Stephen Daly

For me, five years on, becoming a trustee was rooted in a desire to give back and speak up. When I was starting out, I found it difficult to navigate the industry and access the right opportunities. Get Into Theatre was one of the few platforms that made a genuine difference. It helped me learn about the sector and find my first job in theatre (through using their online tools and opportunities pages.) Their advice was realistic because, believe it or not, the industry isn’t just who you know. It is also about working hard and believing in what you are capable of. While only 3% of Charity Trustees are under 30 (Young Trustees Movement), we represent the emerging workforce of freelancers, creatives, and new audiences shaping the future of theatre - so our voices should be part of those conversations. 

Joining this board has given me a greater understanding of how theatres and arts charities operate behind the scenes; the strategy, governance, and decisions that help keep them relevant and sustainable. Beyond this knowledge and insight I’ve gained, it’s been empowering to know that my perspective as someone early in my career has real value at that table. Shout out to my fellow Get into Theatre trustee members celebrating National Trustees Week! I’m so grateful to be part of a Board that truly values younger voices and welcomes new Ideas. 

māyā V&A Performance Festival, photo by Indy Sagoo

Here are five reasons you should join a Board of Trustees: 

1. You can use your voice to shape the future of the industry; be part of the change. 
   - Use your lived experience to help shape the direction of the industry.
   - Your perspective on what its like to enter and work in the industry helps ensure decisions stay relevant and inclusive.
   
   
2. Professional development: build confidence and connections with fellow industry changemakers
   - This may seem scary but never be afraid to ask questions.
   - Each trustee has their own expertise and strengths, and you all equally contribute to the charity. - - This also allows you to discover and develop understanding in other areas like Governance, Finance, fundraising and HR.
   
   
3. Give back to the community that has supported you
   - If, like me, you have benefited and grown from organisations that open doors for growth and learning, or that you just feel a passion or love for the arts, becoming a trustee is a meaningful way to give back. 
   - You can hold them accountable to continue to create more opportunities and open doors.
   
   
4. Expand your network in meaningful ways
   - You’ll connect with professionals who have years of experience across multiple industries.
   - People you can learn from, collaborate with and ask questions to. 
   - These connections are genuine relationships built around shared purpose.
   
   
5. Prove that young voices belong at the table
   - Boards need fresh perspectives, not perfection. By bringing your curiosity, you’re already adding something essential. 
   - By showing up you help redefine what leadership looks like and remind others that we should be a part of the decision-making.