It’s hard to separate the community of Waterford and the Old Town Hall.
Rooted deep into the history of the community – Artistic Producer Claire Senko helms the cultural landmark making it her own and spreading the artistic nature across Norfolk.
From live shows on the front lawn to working with businesses like the Whistling Gardens, Senko tries to make the Hall more than just a building but an important part of the town.
Senko was working at an arts centre in a city while living in Norfolk around 15- years-ago.
As circumstances would have it – she ended up being invited into a large study looking at the impact of arts and culture on youth over a long period of time which was a passion for her.
At this time, Senko was not only an artist but a mother of a young child.
Around this time the Old Town Hall was having a form of “revival” as Senko put it and with that, an opportunity arose for a children’s theatre company.
Senko jumped at the opportunity.
This led to her becoming more rooted in the theatre and the community which led to the position of Program Director and then Artistic Producer – a series of decisions that Senko said she has never looked back on.
For young artists – Senko says not to follow to pressures of the world but to be your authentic self.
She said this mindset helped her go relieve that pressures to go with the mainstream and instead pushed her to do things she felt were right for her.
This led to the decision to bring amazingly unique shows to the Waterford stage.
Her interview can be found below.