A passionate actor based in Sunderland is following his dream as a theatre maker with support from the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC).
Jordan Lee Carling, 23 from Sunderland, launched his career as a professional actor and theatre maker after receiving support from the BIC’s business start-up programme.
Jordan has already made his first appearance as a supporting artist on the BBC’s TV show Inspector George Gently and has penned his own play ‘It’s not the characters problem’ which is based on his own experiences and the stigma around men showing emotion.
Now looking to take his play national, Jordan feels Sunderland is the ideal location for his career with the exciting projects coming up as a result of the Sunderland City of Culture bid. Jordan said:
“It’s an exciting time to be in Sunderland as a theatre maker, whether it’s script writing, acting or theatre production, the City of Culture bid is certainly bringing new opportunities for the creative industries and the culture quarter is coming alive.
“As well as work through the Arts Council, TV work and writing my own play, I have been fortunate to work with schools across the region to encourage creativity within children and to help them learn in a way that they are not use to.
“We get the children to write a script and then I act out their work. It’s really rewarding to see how proud they are of their work coming to life.”
Jordan worked with BIC business adviser Margaret Cook who helped him to develop his business plan and supported him through the New Enterprise Allowance (NEA), a national government initiative. Jordan continues:
“Margaret was very helpful and the free workshops increased my knowledge and confidence to take the business forward.
“I am grateful that I can call upon Margaret as I begin my self-employment journey doing what I love as a freelance theatre maker.”
The BIC’s start-up programme is part funded through the England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Business adviser at the BIC Margaret Cook adds:
“It’s been a pleasure to work with Jordan through his start-up journey. I admire his passion and enthusiasm for theatre making and his work to encourage others to be creative is so inspiring.
“I wish him all the success with his career, I am sure there are big things to come from him in the future.”