Belvoir has announced that its Executive Director, Brenna Hobson is to depart, having been appointed Executive Producer of the world-renowned National Theatre of Scotland.
“Brenna’s leadership of Belvoir as Executive Director over the past nine years has undoubtedly secured the company’s position as one of Sydney’s most innovative and exciting arts companies,” said Sam Meers, Chair of Belvoir’s Board. “Brenna’s deep intelligence, tireless energy, and her absolute and authentic commitment to all aspects of the artistic process has made it a pleasure and privilege to work with her.”
“There are so many things we will miss about Brenna – her integrity, her fearlessness, her humour; but above all, her ability to rise calmly above the chaos and adeptly steward everyone in the right direction. The Belvoir Board joins me in wishing Brenna well, and we look forward to watching her achieve greatness on the world stage.”
Hobson has been Executive Director at Belvoir since 2008, but had her first experience of Belvoir as a 15 year-old work experience student. At 17 she had her first job as Assistant Stage Manager and worked her way up to Production Manager over ten years.
In 2005 she left Belvoir and spent a year as Production Manager at Bangarra Dance Theatre, and two years as General Manager of Jigsaw Theatre Company in Canberra. She returned to Belvoir in 2008 as General Manager (now Executive Director) and co-CEO.
During her tenure, Hobson oversaw the successful transition from long-serving Artistic Director Neil Armfield to Ralph Myers, and then to current Artistic Director Eamon Flack. Her time at Belvoir has been characterised by significant expansion in Belvoir’s overseas touring schedule and the company’s increasing commitment to equality and diversity.
Over the past ten years, Belvoir’s international touring has grown from one tour each two-three years to several tours per year, thanks to Hobson’s diligent advocacy for Belvoir’s productions and artists. Highlights include The Wild Duck’s tour to the Ibsen Festival in Oslo, and a highly acclaimed season at the Barbican in London, and the Indian tour of Stories I Want to Tell You in Person by Lally Katz.
Since 2011 Belvoir has achieved gender parity for writers and directors in each season as well in increasing its output of Indigenous-led theatre and creating new pathways into the company for artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Hobson has taken both a formal and informal role in these advancements through hiring and programming decisions and mentoring of many artists and administrators.
“I have adored working for Belvoir, both in its production department early in my career and as General Manager and then Executive Director for the last nine years. It’s been an enormous honour to work for a company that is such a vital part of Australian culture and it will be a wrench to leave,” said Hobson.
“I’m thrilled to be joining a company of the calibre of the National Theatre of Scotland, a company tasked with articulating Scottish identity in all its forms, at such a crucial time in the country’s history.”
Hobson will continue in her role at Belvoir until the end of May, and commence at the National Theatre of Scotland in June. Belvoir’s Board has commenced an extensive recruitment process to appoint a new Executive Director. For more information, visit: www.belvoir.com.au for details.
Image: Brenna Hobson (supplied)