CJ Allen
Wellington, Telford,Shropshire
Summary
I am an Arts and Events professional with over 10 years experience in live events, theatre production, music and community creative delivery, with the last 6 years in secondary Music & Arts education and other youth work in the Arts.
With an FdA in Live Event Production, I hold skills in project coordination, event planning, stakeholder engagement and delivery of accessible cultural events in partnership with venues, artists and community organisations.
My background includes large-scale logistics and production management with the NEC Group, grassroots and alternative arts programming in Wakefield and Leeds, and ongoing voluntary leadership within a local theatre. I am organised, highly creative and community focused, with a strong commitment to inclusive cultural development and expanding access to the arts within the Borough.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Teacher of Music
Charlton School (Learning Community Trust)
Telford, Telford and Wrekin
2025.04 - Current
- Planned and delivered music and performing arts provision across KS3-KS4, including extra-curricular and enrichment activities.
- Organised and led performances, concerts, productions and school arts events involving students, staff, families and external audiences.
- Worked collaboratively with colleagues, leadership teams, visiting practitioners and external partners to support creative opportunities for young people.
- Supported inclusive participation in arts activity, encouraging engagement from students with a wide range of interests, needs and abilities.
- Managed competing priorities, deadlines and event preparation alongside day-to-day teaching and administrative responsibilities.
Volunteer Musical Director & Technical Manager
The Little Theatre Donnington
Telford
2015.01 - Current
- Support the planning and delivery of productions, rehearsals and live performance activity.
- Coordinate technical, musical and operational elements of theatre productions.
- Work collaboratively with volunteers, performers, creatives and local partners to support performance activity.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of local theatre programming and community arts participation.
- Currently working with Telford Theatre on behalf of The Little Theatre to help bring additional performances to the venue.
Freelance Arts, Music & Creative Events Work
Freelance
Wakefield
2014.09 - Current
- Organised and delivered arts and music events.
- Helped develop creative activity within alternative and community-based spaces including unused shopfronts, churches and non-traditional venues.
- Supported accessible public engagement in the arts through creative programming and collaborative event delivery.
- Worked with partners and sponsorship opportunities to help bring cultural activity into local communities.
Performing Arts Technician & Teacher of Music
New Road Academy (Learning Community Trust)
Telford
2020.02 - 2025.04
- Planned and delivered Music and Performing Arts provision across curriculum and enrichment settings.
- Managed technical and production elements for performances, including sound, staging, equipment setup and event preparation.
- Coordinated performance schedules, rehearsal logistics, resources and staffing to ensure events were delivered effectively and safely.
- Encouraged participation in music and performing arts, helping create inclusive opportunities for students with a range of interests and abilities.
Assistant Production Manager
NEC Group
Birmingham
2017.04 - 2018.02
- Supported the technical production and logistical delivery of conferences, live events and large-scale venue-based activity across the ICC and VOX.
- Coordinated event requirements from planning through to live delivery, ensuring technical, operational and venue needs were met effectively.
- Liaised directly with clients to understand event briefs, support planning discussions and help deliver events to a high professional standard.
- Worked closely with internal departments, suppliers, venue teams and external stakeholders to coordinate all aspects of event preparation and delivery.
- Assisted with scheduling, production planning, operational logistics and event documentation across multiple projects and venue spaces.
Education
Foundation Degree in Arts - Live Event Production
Backstage Academy
Wakefield 2014.09 - 2015.08
Sub. Diploma - Production Arts Technology, Music Technology, Music Events Support, Music Performance
New College Telford
Telford 2012.09 - 2014.08
GCSEs - Maths Engineering,ICT,Applied Science,Creative Media,Performing Arts, Sport, English
Sutherland Business & Enterprise College
Telford 2007.09 - 2012.08
Skills
- Event Coordination
- Community Engagement
- Arts and Music Experience
- Venue Operations
- Solo and team project work
Certification
N/A Event Safety Passport 2014 Pass
N/A Introduction to Suspension & Rigging 2014 Pass
Level 2 Manual Handling 2014 Pass
N/A First Aid at Work 2014 Pass
N/A Introduction to Working with Electricity 2014 Pass
Grade 3 Individual Acting Skills Trinity Guildhall 2007 Merit
Timeline
Teacher of Music
Charlton School (Learning Community Trust)
2025.04 - Current
Performing Arts Technician & Teacher of Music
New Road Academy (Learning Community Trust)
2020.02 - 2025.04
Assistant Production Manager
NEC Group
2017.04 - 2018.02
Volunteer Musical Director & Technical Manager
The Little Theatre Donnington
2015.01 - Current
Freelance Arts, Music & Creative Events Work
Freelance
2014.09 - Current
Foundation Degree in Arts - Live Event Production
Backstage Academy
2014.09 - 2015.08
Sub. Diploma - Production Arts Technology, Music Technology, Music Events Support, Music Performance
New College Telford
2012.09 - 2014.08
GCSEs - Maths Engineering,ICT,Applied Science,Creative Media,Performing Arts, Sport, English
Sutherland Business & Enterprise College
2007.09 - 2012.08