Paula Van Hagen

An established theatre producer and executive consultant, Paula has 25+ years of experience in UK and international theatre presentation. She launched her career with Classics on A Shoestring, a theatre company she co-founded in 1990s alongside director Katie Mitchell. Her portfolio now includes work at the Royal Court Theatre, Royal Opera House Covent Garden (notably James McMillan’s chamber opera Parthenogenesis ), and BFI London, where she led a £2.2 million BFI London 2012 Festival project restoring Alfred Hitchcock’s nine silent films and presenting them with newly commissioned scores.

Between 2004 and 2007, Paula played a key role with Komedia/Aurora Nova, initially managing Edinburgh Fringe venues Southside and Roman Eagle Lodge, and later establishing and overseeing Aurora Nova’s promoters’ liaison department. Most recently, Paula has curated programming at two London venues, championing cross-artform performances by influential emerging talent from across the UK and internationally. An expert in change management and business planning, Paula currently serves as a non-executive director at Magnetic North (since 2019).