I want to die in the auditorium
Performers often talk about dying on stage if a show goes badly – but what about those who love the theatre so much they would actually like to die there. Cultural, societal and religious traditions inform how we dispose of our assets when we die. From the time of Pliny the Elder the arts and culture has formed a part of those legacy gifts. Why? Who gives money to the arts and culture when they die and why? How and why is it changing? Using twenty oral history interviews from legacy pledgers who have left gifts in their wills to support the Royal Opera House, Marina Jones will explore these questions, historic legacy gifts and the changing demographics of legacy gifts and norms.
Marina Jones is Deputy Development Director at the English National Opera and has over 20 years’ experience in fundraising. Marina spent 13 years at the Royal Opera House working on campaigns, supporter engagement, legacies and trusts and foundations. She also worked at Polka Theatre, the Lyric Hammersmith and the Orange Tree Theatre. Marina leads Rogare’s History of Fundraising project and is also Trustee of Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival and Pusey House. She completed an MA with Distinction in Philanthropic Studies with a dissertation on legacy giving. Marina is a keen behavioural scientist experimenting and writing on how to use decision science in fundraising. For articles about fundraising, history and decision science read more at marinajones.uk
- this session is free to attend, but booking in advance is required.
This page was last updated on 14 March 2025
