State Theatre Company South Australia has announced Jodi Glass as the incoming Executive Director/ Producer, who will take over the role from Rob Brookman AM who has held the position since 2012.
A highly respected South Australian arts leader, Jodi Glass is Executive Producer of Adelaide’s Slingsby Theatre and former CEO of the Adelaide Fringe which, under her leadership, went through a period of significant organisational transformation to become the second largest open access festival in the world.
State Theatre Company Artistic Director Geordie Brookman, said the appointment comes at a time of great success for the Company, and marks a new era in its long and proud history. “I’m absolutely thrilled with Jodi’s appointment. She will bring passion, drive and incredible strategic thinking to the role. Her work with both Slingsby and the Adelaide Fringe has been exemplary,” said Brookman.
“Her ability to combine inspirational leadership and generous collaboration has marked her out as one of Australia’s brightest young arts managers. I’m excited to forge a dynamic partnership with her to take State Theatre Company into the next phase of its exciting evolution.”
Incoming Executive Director/Producer Jodi Glass is excited about the opportunity that lies ahead. “I’m so excited to be joining State Theatre Company. I have the greatest respect and admiration for Rob, so it’s with enormous pride that I take over from him. I’ll strive to lead the company with the same professionalism, commitment and passion as Rob, as well as bring my own experience, energy and style to the role. I can’t wait to work with Geordie, the staff, the artists and the Board of State Theatre Company.”
“I have absolutely loved my 9 years at Slingsby working with Artistic Director Andy Packer, the Board and the artists. I had planned for it to be much longer but State Theatre was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I am very sad to be leaving Slingsby, and a chunk of my heart will forever tour with the Slingsby shows I’ve had the privilege to produce. My passion is being part of a company that makes theatre and leading State Theatre offers new opportunities to connect with new audiences and artists, which I will relish.”
After a 42 year career in the Arts in Australia including five years as Executive Director/Producer of State Theatre Company, Rob Brookman has made a lasting impression on the national arts scene and will continue to work in the arts in a consultative capacity and as a board member of a number of arts organisations.
The period of his partnership with Geordie Brookman at the head of State Theatre Company has seen huge growth in audiences, the development of a significant national presence through touring, two international tours and excellent financial results that have seen the Company’s reserves more than double.
“I have had the good fortune to know Jodi for over twenty years,” said Brookman. “She came to join the Adelaide Festival Centre as Programming Fellow almost 20 years ago when I was Artistic Director and immediately showed the qualities of someone who would become a significant arts leader.”
“She has richly fulfilled that destiny with significant roles that have seen her initiate and manage major national and international tours, produce outstanding theatrical works and guide a large and complex event like the Adelaide Fringe into the 21st Century. I could not be happier to be handing the reins at State Theatre Company to Jodi at this time and am confident that she will maintain and develop the momentum that we have built over the last five years.”
State Theatre Company Chair John Irving, who hands over the role of Chair to Justin Jamieson in December, said that the recruitment process had been extensive and the selection process thorough. “I am absolutely delighted to be leaving the Company in the hands of a great team,” said Irving.
“The passion, experience and skills of Jodi, Geordie and Justin are second to none and they, together with the great team at State, are well placed to lead the the Company and take it to the next level. It has been a pleasure working with Rob and his team. The standing of the Company today in the eyes of its audience, its supporters and its contemporaries is as high as it has ever been and a large part of the credit for that goes to Rob and his leadership.”
Jodi Glass will start working with Geordie Brookman on the Company’s 2018 programming from mid February 2017 and complete the full hand-over with Rob Brookman by the end of March.
For more information, visit: www.statetheatrecompany.com.au for details.
Image: State Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Geordie Brookman and incoming Executive Director Jodi Glass (supplied)