New owners for AussieTheatre.com confirmed

In a few weeks, current AussieTheatre.com owners Erin James and Matt Edwards will step aside after almost 9 years at the helm when a new management team takes over the respected industry website. Outgoing Digital Director Matt Edwards shares his thoughts.

A couple of months ago, Erin and I let the world know that our time at AussieTheatre was coming to an end. Work, family and other life commitments were not allowing us enough time to support the site in the way it really needed. We hoped to find the next generation of owners to take over from us, as we had taken over from the site’s founder – Troy Dodds – nearly 9 years ago.

We had an influx of lovely messages and interested parties contact us and we are incredibly excited to announce today that we have secured new ownership for the site and have begun the new team’s transition in. (You may already have seen a new name on some recent articles popping up around the place.)

The new team will consist of Peter J Snee, filling Erin’s position as Editor in Chief, and taking over my role as Digital Director will be Sean McLoughlin.

Peter is a British born creative and holds an honours degree in Performing Arts. He has 12 years experience in producing, presenting and managing artistic programs and events.

Peter has the passion and connections to bring the world’s greatest entertainment stories to AussieTheatre.com readers.

“I am inspired by great stories and passionately driven by pursuing opportunities to tell them. I am a firm believer in the power that theatre has to unite, inspire and challenge”, Peter said about taking on his new role. “As a platform for the people of Australia, by the people of Australia, I want to hear from anybody that is interested in getting involved.”

Sean is a passionate arts philanthropist and has been responsible for a number of recent new productions in Australia. He has a strong management background and his sights firmly fixed on the business side of show business.

On his new role Sean has said, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to support the creative arts industry via this platform which he hopes will drive engagement with, and strengthen the Australian theatre community.”

Erin has been writing for AussieTheatre.com since 2007 and says her departure from the brand is bittersweet.

“Matt and I have put out hearts and souls into the development and growth of AussieTheatre.com for the better part of a decade, chalking up almost 9 years as owners of the site. Working on this project has shaped us and taught us both skills which were invaluable in countless aspects of the arts industry. It’s a big step for me to say goodbye to this epic endeavour, which has most certainly become part of the fabric of my life, but I am confident that Peter J Snee and Sean McLoughlin will take AussieTheatre.com to new heights, bringing fresh ideas and a different perspective to the readership as they embark on their own AussieTheatre journey.”

Erin and I will be working as part of the AussieTheatre.com team for the next couple of weeks in our current positions and will continue to support Peter and Sean in their new roles. We aren’t disappearing completely as we have some exiting projects in the pipeline (which I’m sure you will read about on this site), and we look forward to seeing you in a foyer sometime soon!

Please join us in welcoming Peter J Snee and Sean McLoughlin to the AussieTheatre.com family.