Mark Ball

Mark Ball was appointed as Associate Artistic Director of Manchester International Festival (MIF) in June 2017, where he is responsible for leading the artistic programme for The Factory, MIF’s new large scale venue for arts and culture scheduled to open in autumn 2020. From April 2009 to June 2017 he was Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT). From January 2008 – April 2009 he was Head of Events and Exhibitions at the Royal Shakespeare Company, leading a new department responsible for developing the profile of the RSC amongst new audiences by producing and delivering a range of high profile artist-led projects and commissions. From 1998 - 2007, he directed Fierce!, an annual international festival of theatre, live art and contemporary dance taking place across the West Midlands.


In November 2005, Mark was named the Institute of Director's (IoD) Young Director of the Year and was made a Clore Fellow in 2006/2007. He also holds posts at a number of arts organisations, including Chair of artsdepot and Trustee of Frantic Assembly and the Live Art Development Agency. Mark has been named by Time Out and The Stage as one of the ten most influential people in British theatre.