Patch Theatre’s national search for a new Artistic Director

Patch Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Dave Brown has announced he will leave the top post in 2015.

With a typically innovative approach, the outgoing Artistic Director of Adelaide’s well loved children’s theatre company also revealed a new initiative at Patch; the Artistic Director Residency Programme.

The programme not only aims to secure a replacement for Brown as Artistic Director, but also offer development opportunities for other potential artistic leaders in children’s theatre.

“Patch is committed to supporting the on-going vibrancy of the performing arts for children in Australia by contributing to the development of the next generation of artistic leaders”, Brown said.

[pull_left]What we do is a niche market and during my younger years I would have loved for there to be a program like the one we are implementing, so I encourage emerging Artistic Directors from around the country to apply[/pull_left]

“What we do is a niche market and during my younger years I would have loved for there to be a program like the one we are implementing, so I encourage emerging Artistic Directors from around the country to apply.”

“We have some outstanding talent in Australia and I look forward to playing my part in supporting the future generation of artistic directors and, ultimately, unearthing a possible new artistic leader for Patch Theatre.”

Applications for the Residency Programme are now open. The company is encouraging applications from working professionals who have current theatre making and directing experience, a genuine interest and passion in producing creative theatre for young people and a curiosity for different genres and multi-arts disciplines. Applicants are required to be multi-skilled, with excellent communication skills, a capacity for visionary leadership and a genuine interest in becoming Artistic Director of a children’s theatre company.

Three residencies will be made available this year and next for a period of up to seven weeks each.

It’s no surprise that Brown will be leaving a big hole to fill. He has been involved with Patch for over half of its 40 year history, and under his leadership the company has won high acclaim including two Helpmann Awards for Best Presentation for Children, the Victor Award for Best Showcase Production (US), a Ruby Award for Sustained Contribution to the Arts, an Adelaide Critics Circle Award and four Drovers Awards for National Touring Excellence.

We seek to provoke, tickle, prod and beguile children with performances that celebrate the experience of childhood, the joys of play, the whims of the imagination, the struggle to make meaning and the challenge of growing and developing through the most complex and telling phase of their lives.

– Patch Theatre Copmany

For more Information about the Residency Programme go to PatchTheatre.org.au

Applications close on Friday 17 May.