Participant Observer to the board

Hattie Snooks

Profile:
I have had the privilege of serving on the Board of Brighton Fringe as the Participant Observer for the past year. As a participant myself, I brought my debut solo show The Geek Shall Inherit… to Brighton Fringe in 2020, 2021, and 2022 with Sweet Productions, to critical acclaim. I am also a member of Clap Back Club, who have taken part in Brighton Fringe every year since 2018. Clap Back Club were winners of the Brighton Fringe Audience Choice Award in 2018 and 2019, as well as FUSE International’s Best of Brighton Fringe Comedy Award in 2022. As a group, we regularly collaborate with fellow Brighton-based theatre collective Girl Code Theatre and through our community outreach initiative Home Safe Brighton, we have built strong links with Brighton and Hove City Council, as well as several other local services and charities.

Outside of Brighton Fringe, I have worked as a freelance social media and marketing manager in the music and theatre industry for the past eight years and I have over fifteen years experience as an artist, performer, and events promoter in Brighton and Hove. Over this time I have built strong relationships with both fellow performers and venues in different sections of the local arts scene, from music and poetry to cabaret, burlesque, comedy, and, of course, fringe theatre.

Motivation for becoming an observer to the board of Brighton Fringe:
It has been my honour and privilege to work alongside the rest of the Board, the Brighton Fringe team, and the Brighton Fringe community for this past year to originate the role of Participant Observer. I began my term excited at the prospect of participants having a seat at the table and together I believe we’ve made excellent progress with Brighton Fringe’s ongoing mission to improve the transparency of the Fringe and to ensure that participant voices are heard. I’m delighted with what’s been achieved so far and I would love to make further strides on that journey with everybody for another year. Having weathered a great deal of change over the past few years in terms of recovery from the effects of the COVID pandemic, as well as structural changes, Brighton Fringe is on the cusp of something different and exciting. It would mean the world to me to continue with my involvement on the Fringe Board as we welcome in a new era. Change brings both uncertainty and the opportunity for growth. I believe that now, more than ever, as a Board we must amplify the voices of participants, seek to bring our absolute best to the table, and keep striving for transparency, accountability, and, above all, community. I am thrilled at the prospect of what the future holds and I strongly believe that we need to work with passion, openness, and interdependence with everyone who is involved in Brighton Fringe to make it happen.

Sonia Aste

Profile:
Sonia Aste is a Spanish comedian who believes ‘Cultural differences are like Sangria, a mix that sometimes leaves a headache, but we always end up asking for more!’ An engineer, she started her career in the Silicon Valley, she worked in telecommunications and finance before going into comedy. Her show MADE IN SPAIN sold out for 2 years running at Brighton Fringe and 3 years at Edinburgh Fringe.

Motivation for becoming an observer to the board of Brighton Fringe:
I was an engineer for most of my professional life before going into comedy. As such I have a fresh view on what should and should not be happening.

I also have excellent observational and analytical skills, as part of my engineering background. Last but not least I adhere to the engineering and comedy motto: YOU CAN ALWAYS MAKE THINGS BETTER.

Jonathan Brown

Profile:

Jonathan is Brighton-born and bred, and has been performing for 20 years locally, nationally and internationally.

He’s ready to offer his services, should the call come, but in the meantime, throws his support fully behind those who have been in role for the last year, especially as their motivations seem so in lock-step. 

Motivation for becoming an observer to the board of Brighton Fringe:
Keeping an eye out on Brighton Fringe practice on behalf of participants.