We acknowledge Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.
Commentary by Frank McKone
For anyone working in theatre of all kinds, from small-scale, independent or major companies, Theatre Australia Network provides resources, information and professional development assistance across Australia, linking private businesses with government Arts activities and funding.
I attended this afternoon’s Canberra Industry Gathering conducted by TNA’s Co-CEO Josh Lowe, presented by Canberra Theatre Centre in its Courtyard Studio. Representatives from Canberra’s indie companies, the ACT Arts Department and Creative Australia spoke about local theatre issues following Lowe’s rundown of TNA activities.
Cross-group small group discussions came essentially to consensus that the fragmentation of theatre activities across the city is a problem which should be resolved by three suggestions:
Each company provide free tickets to other companies’ practitioners;
Companies should share resources, not only technical equipment and expertise but, for example, marketing management;
Members of different companies should on a reasonably frequent, but informal, basis meet for open conversation about their artistic work and management issues – such as employment and payment concerns.
Concern centred on the need for the theatre industry in Canberra to work together to raise the profile nationally of the range and quality of work presented here.
Go to www.tna.org.au to follow the story further, whether you are a theatre practitioner and/or a theatre-goer.
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07 December 2023
The Board of Theatre Network Australia is delighted to announce its new Executive Leadership team, Co-CEOs Erica McCalman and Joshua Lowe.
Interim Chair Sue Giles AM said, “Erica is a highly regarded producer and arts sector leader who has worked across the country with major festivals, local government and many small to medium performing arts organisations. Most recently she was Producer (Special Projects) at Melbourne Fringe. Josh is TNA’s current General Manager and has been leading much of TNA’s advocacy work, particularly for the performance with/for/by young people sector. He was previously CEO/Artistic Director of DRILL in Tasmania.
“Both Erica and Josh are already deeply respected by independent artists and the small to medium sector, and very well qualified to lead TNA at this time. This partnership takes TNA into the next years of our strategy with knowledge, care and connection and we are excited to work with their shared vision and perspective. No better partnership could drive the delivery of TNA’s key objectives of justice and equity.”
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| TNA Co-CEO Erica McCalman |
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| TNA Co-CEO Joshua Lowe |
