| Penny Watts appointed as General Manager of Monkey Baa Theatre Company |
| Friday, 24 August 2012 15:03 |
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Monkey Baa Theatre Company has announced the appointment of Penny Watts in the newly created position of General Manager. Having taken up residence in the brand new Lend Lease Darling Quarter Theatre, Monkey Baa felt the time was right to appoint a full time General Manager. Penny Watts comes to the role with a most impressive resume having worked from 2007 to 2011 for Really Useful Company as 'Cats' General Manager and from April 2011 to present time as Executive Producer of Really Useful Company. Prior to that Penny was General Manager for two years for Perth Theatre Company; General Manager at Riverina Theatre Company; Tour Coordinator at Arts on Tour for four years; Production Manager for Railway Street Theatre Company and several stage management roles. On accepting the position Penny said, "I am thrilled to be joining Monkey Baa as their first General Manager. Having watched them evolve into one of the country's leading young people's touring companies, I'm delighted to be part of the team at this exciting stage in Monkey Baa's journey". In 2011 in a major milestone, Monkey Baa was selected to be resident company in Australia's first purpose-built theatre dedicated solely to work for young people, the Lend Lease Darling Quarter Theatre (LLDQT), a 236-seat venue in central Sydney. Monkey Baa will be responsible for programming and marketing its own work (in 2012 the Darling Quarter program includes two new productions and two remounts – Bugalugs Bum Thief, Hitler's Daughter, Emily Eyefinger and Goodbye Jamie Boyd) and for marketing the venue for other cultural hirers' productions and corporate hire. Founded in 1997 by Tim McGarry, Sandra Eldridge and Eva Di Cesare, Monkey Baa has become one of Australia's flagship theatre companies for young people. Since then, the company has developed a reputation for producing exceptional work for young people and attracting several industry awards including two Helpmann Awards for 'Best Children's Presentation'. The company adapts Australian children's literature for the stage, working with the authors and a diverse group of creative artists. Since its inception Monkey Baa has been committed to regional and rural touring of the company's productions and to an extensive program of workshops and outreach programs across Australia. In 2012 the company will complete a six-month national tour of Tim Winton's Bugalugs Bum Thief aimed at 4-10 year olds. It is anticipated that 80,000 young people across Australia will view a Monkey Baa show or participate in a workshop this year. In 2013 the company embarks on its international touring program, with its first tour (of Hitler's Daughter) to take place in North America over ten weeks. |
