Cast appoints James Blakey as new Director, signalling bold next chapter for Doncaster’s theatre

Doncaster’s premier arts venue, Cast, has today announced the appointment of James Blakey as its new Director, marking a significant moment in the organisation’s future and reaffirming its commitment to ambitious theatre rooted in community, collaboration and social impact. James takes up the role following the departure of Deborah Rees, who stepped down in December 2025.

A nationally recognised theatre director and engagement specialist, James is not a stranger to Cast or to Doncaster. He previously directed The Doncastrian Chalk Circle at Cast in 2022 as part of the National Theatre’s Public Acts programme, a landmark community production featuring more than 100 local performers; and created The Lockdown Affinity Group, working closely with communities across Doncaster during the pandemic.

Andrew Burdon, the Chair of the Board at Cast said:
“James is an exceptional leader whose work is driven by a deep belief in the power of theatre to bring people together and to create meaningful change. His national experience, combined with his genuine understanding of Doncaster and its communities, makes him the right person to lead Cast into its next chapter. We are incredibly excited about what lies ahead under his direction.”

James Blakey said:
Cast is a theatre that matters enormously to artists, communities and audiences in Doncaster and beyond. I’ve seen firsthand the creativity, pride, care and ambition that exists within the building and across the city. It’s a huge honour to be invited to join this fantastic team and to lead an organisation that I care deeply about. I can’t wait to get started.

James brings extensive experience from across the UK’s cultural sector. He is currently Head of Engagement at Factory International, where he has overseen pioneering forms of community engagement, ambitious participatory productions and programmes of public curation that empower residents to shape programming, governance and access at scale. He has also held senior roles with the National Theatre as Senior Associate Director of Public Acts, a nationwide programme dedicated to creating extraordinary acts of theatre and community through deep partnership working between theatres and third-sector organisations. James also served as Associate Artistic Director of Slung Low and was a founding director of interactive performance company, Oscar Mike.

Alongside his leadership roles, James is a highly respected director and theatre-maker, specialising in participatory practice and shared authorship. His productions bring together professional artists and first-time performers of all ages and backgrounds, creating large-scale, ambitious work that reflects the communities it is made with. His appointment signals Cast’s continued ambition to be a theatre of national significance with Doncaster at its heart.

James succeeds Deborah Rees, whose nine-year tenure saw Cast establish itself as one of the North’s leading producing and presenting theatres, with a strong reputation for community engagement and high-quality programming.