Christine Chibnall – Director of Planning

Taken to galleries, theatres and the opera by her parents, Christine Chibnall’s love for music was also nurtured at South Hampstead High School for girls, before she moved to Brighton and found herself planning the cultural schedule of her friends.  After studying English at University, she realised she could combine her career with her passion by finding a job in the performing arts. After sending countless letters, Christine found herself interviewing for a PA role at Welsh National Opera despite having no typing skills. She ended up not only as a PA but doing almost everything else, from payroll, to chaperoning children, to starting the Education department, to development and fundraising and organizing small-scale tours. Having worked from the ground up, Christine was well-placed to move into her role as Director of Planning for Opera North, where she founded the department from scratch, bringing schedules and structure to the work around her. Christine chats with Nina about negotiating her way through the industry, her in-depth experience of the British operatic scene and shares her tips for what not to do in her auditions.