PAL Team
Susan Benn 
Founding Artistic Director
I grew up on a small lake in Michigan where I learned to catch fish and shoot game, and spent a lot of time reading and drawing. After studies at Cranbrook in the States and the Royal College of Art and the Courtauld Institute in London, I worked as a textile designer in Scotland and Paris in the 1960s; as a publisher of children’s and illustrated books in London and New York in the ’70s and early ‘80s; and as a reportage photographer in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
In the late ‘80s, I developed a passion to bring together small, diverse groups of exceptionally talented professional artists to make new work in theatre, film and opera. Nicky Singer, then an aspiring novelist, and I created Performing Arts Labs to do this. We found generous Lab Directors from around the world who were able to attract exceptionally talented people to make experimental work together.
In 2000, in recognition of PAL’s achievements, I received a four-year education award of £1m from the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts. This enabled PAL to create new forms of Lab programmes with artists, scientists, educators, researchers and policymakers.
I am a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce.
Peter Combes
Administrative Assistant
I was born and grew up in Mortlake, South West London. Since a young age, my passion has been for the arts and poetry. I trained in Art History and Print at Chelsea School of Art. More recently I completed an MSc. in Museum Studies with the University of Leicester which has given me a unique insight into learning and interpretation.
I have ten years of administrative experience working mainly in the cultural sector for museums and libraries. I’m very experienced in delivering innovative changes to systems or processes to improve efficiency and usability. I have played a supportive role in improving communication within organisations and strengthening interpersonal relationships and productivity. As an ideas person, I enjoy seeing people realise and develop their ideas. I also have an interest for how live art can be shared more broadly.
Jenny Wang
Resources Manager
I have a passion for numbers, I’m a qualified accountant and studied for an MBA at Jilin University in China. I have worked to manage finances for both public and private sector clients for over 15 years. I am highly self motivated and adaptable with up to date accounting and auditing knowledge. I am committed to partnership working, social enterprise and making finance an enjoyable experience. At PAL I manage the finances and work with the team to develop new business ideas and prepare budgets for PAL programmes and projects . I live in east London and when I’m not polishing my calculator I like to spend my spare time keeping fit and going to the cinema.
