Laura Butcher

• Writing opinion pieces, policy analysis and producing podcasts with other fellows.
• Hosting speaker events on campus. Speakers so far have included: Haviv Rettig Gur, Yair Golan, Natasha Hausdorff, MK Sharren Haskel, British Army Brigadier (Retd) Ian R. Liles OBE, Mariam Wahba (FDI).
• Policy trip to Washingon D.C. (23 - 27 May, 2025), including meetings with current and former senior administration officials (Sen. Tom Cotton, Ambassador John Bolton, Aryeh Lightstone), members of congress (Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz) senior advisors (to Rep. Brad Schneider and Senator Joni Ernst), think tank experts (Behnam Ben Taleblu at FDI, Rebeccah Heinrichs and Elliott Abrams at Council on Foreign Relations, Ken Weinstein, Mike Watson and Michael Scott Sobolik at Hudson Institute), lobbyists (AIPAC), journalists (Jewish Insider editor-in-chief, Josh Kraushaar and tour of CNN offices).

• Co-authoring of OIS statements (quoted at length in The Times and The Telegraph, credited by The Telegraph for prompting Oxford University condemnation of “Hamas' appalling attack”) and open letters (in co-operation with the Pinsker Centre, gathering 350+ academic, alumni and student signatures against Oxford Union Israel debate)
• Organising speaker events. Speakers so far have included: Nadav Eyal, Yossi Klein Halevi, Ambassador Daniel Taub, Eylon Levi, Jonathan Conricus, Andrew Fox, Fania Oz-Salzberger, Jonathan Sacerdoti.
• Creation and administration of social media accounts and content (WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) advertising events and providing educational / informative sources for members and wider Oxford community.
• Enhancement and administration of membership (signing up over 350 members since October, 2023).
• Recruitment of skilled society reps and sub-reps: e.g. Treasurer; Education Rep for running of Zionism Reading Group; Undergraduate / Social Rep for running of cultural events.
• Organising joint events with other campus societies (Port and Policy with Oxford University Conservative Association, in solidarity with Jewish and Israeli students).
• Liaising with all relevant groups and communities in Oxford (Oxford Jewish Society, Oxford Jewish Congregation, Oxford Chabad Society, Oxford Israeli community, Oxford Centre for Hebrew & Jewish Studies) for enhancement of membership, participation and support of events.
• Organising other events such as the two first joint Yom Ha Zikaron commemorations and Hom Ha'Atzma'ut celebrations in Oxford (uniquely uniting members and representatives of all Oxford Jewish and Israeli communities and all relevant student societies), Shloshim vigil, Freshers' Fair, Film nights, group outings to Anti-antisemitism rallies in London and more.

• Administration of applications (on average 200 applications per year).
• Organisation of auditions (on average 45 candidates - live in New York/ London/ Bavaria, and on Zoom).
• Organisation and management of all aspects of summer course: individual catering, accommodation, transportation, social events.
• Daily schedules for lessons, masterclasses, rehearsals and on-site auditions for all participants, staff, guest professors and guest panellists.
• Organisation of auditions with international guest panellists (opera directors, casting directors, artist managers).
• Drafting and management of contracts for all members of staff, guest professors and guest panellists.
• Special COVID management: development of hygiene protocol, management of special travel arrangements and special health arrangements for participants and members of staff.
• Organisation and management of LIVE streaming of performances
• Handling of entire individualised correspondence with applicants, staff, guest professors, panellists, partners and donors.
• Editorial and running of social media marketing for IMA: regular posts on further careers of alumni and advertisements for course.
• Creation and editorial of new IMA website (2020).

Trilogia Mozart - Da Ponte: Le nozze di Figaro / Così fan tutte / Don Giovanni - directed by Jean-Philippe Clarac, Olivier Deloeuil / Antonello Manacorda, Ben Glassberg.

• Conceptual planning of rehearsals and filming.
• Leading stage direction of rehearsals with full cast, extras and choir.
• Full written documentation, including accurate timelines of scenic blocking, costumes, props, furniture set design, lighting, weapons, special effects.
• Coordination with music department on schedules, rehearsals and répétiteur-duties.
• Artistic support to director.
• Responsibility for the implementation of revivals: rehearsal schedules, coaching of new cast, coordination with music department, changes and arrangements from original production.
• Artistic supervision of 4 weeks of filming in various locations around Brussels.
• Liaising with departments for all production needs for filming: costumes, props, furniture, set design, lighting, weapons, special effects.

- Salome, directed by Jean-Philippe Clarac, Olivier Deloeuil / Patrick Lange.

- Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, directed by Bernd Mottl / Patrick Lange.

- Don Giovanni, directed by Nicolas Brieger / Konrad Junghänel.

- Un Ballo in Maschera, directed by Beka Savić / Patrick Lange.

• Scheduling and organisation of all rehearsals, fittings, filming, walk-throughs and meetings.
• Leading rehearsals with full cast, extras, choir, musical staff and technicians (up to 200 people).
• Full written documentation, including accurate timelines of scenic blocking, costumes, props, furniture set design, lighting, weapons, special effects.
• Coordination with music department on schedules, rehearsals and repetiteur-duties.
• Liaising with departments for all production needs: costumes, props, furniture, set design, lighting, weapons, special effects.
• Correspondence with entire staff on short-term changes.
• Artistic support to director.
• Responsibility for smooth running of all aspects of the performances.
• Full responsibility for the implementation of revivals: rehearsal schedules, coaching of new cast, new fittings, coordination with music department, changes and arrangements from original production.
• Editing of translated surtitles.

Laura Tamara Butcher

1 April 2023, Oxford