Fran Swift, Chair of the Eastgate’s Board of Directors, said:

“We are so pleased to welcome Fraser to lead our staff team, he comes with a wealth of experience, enthusiasm and energy. His vision for the future of the Eastgate impressed us all at his interview and we look forward to working with him to deliver all sorts of creative opportunities in our wonderful theatre and the wider community.”

Fraser said:

“I am thrilled to take on the role of General Manager at the Eastgate Theatre. The opportunity to work with the community to guide the theatre into its third decade, with a fresh, exciting, and positive vision for the future, is incredibly appealing. In the coming months, I look forward to engaging with the local community and partners to shape my plans for the theatre’s growth and development. I am passionate about my responsibility to support and nurture both emerging and experienced professional creative talent in Scotland.

Having previously worked in schools across the Borders with Young Enterprise Scotland, I am eager to build on those relationships and expand our partnerships. My experience at Cumbernauld Theatre has prepared me to raise Eastgate Theatre’s profile within the national infrastructure of Scottish theatres and to further its reputation for delivering high-quality artistic output. Peebles is a special place with a very dedicated local community, and I am excited about the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Fraser has worked in theatre across Scotland in various capacities as a performer, director, writer, and producer.  At Cumbernald Theatre he managed the delivery of in-house productions, supported and developed companies in residence, and led the artistic programming of the venue. He was also the founder and Artistic Director of Cumbernauld Musical Theatre Society.  Fraser also works as a freelance Creative & Musical Director across Scotland, specialising in Musical Theatre and leads Limelight Youth Academy in Fife for aspiring young performers.

Determined to encourage youth engagement in the arts, he has previously held youth advisory positions with the National Theatre of Scotland and Macrobert Arts Centre. He has also served as a director of See Think Make CIC and Chair of Young Enterprise Scotland Forth Valley & Glasgow Regional Boards. In 2016, Fraser was appointed as one of “Scotland’s brightest young theatre-makers” by Youth Theatre Arts Scotland as part of their Young Arts Leaders programme.

A graduate of Edinburgh Napier University in Business & Enterprise, Fraser was appointed as Scotland’s youngest Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce in 2016.