Theatre Network NSW (TNN) has announced the appointment of Jane Kreis as the inaugural Director of TNN – the recently established support, networking and advocacy organisation dedicated to the NSW theatre sector.
Jane has an extensive history in theatre and executive management and has been a long-term advocate for a NSW theatre network. She comes to the Network fresh from 5 years as Executive Officer and Regional Arts Development Officer of Arts North West (the Regional Arts Board for the New England area in North Western NSW).
Jane holds a PhD in sustainable Australian Independent Theatre practices from the University of Wollongong and a Masters in Principles of Performance Presence from Queensland University of Technology and her experience as a theatre practitioner underpins much of her research and the regional theatre development and funding she implemented as a Regional Arts Development Officer.
“We are delighted to have appointed Jane as our inaugural Director,” says TNN Chair Julieanne Campbell. “She has a range of experiences in all the right areas such as management, strategy, lobbying and communications, as well as an extensive background as a practitioner. As such she exemplifies the diversity and flexibility of those who work in the theatre sector.”
“The opportunity to work with the high-calibre Theatre Network NSW committee and the network’s members to advocate and strengthen such a creatively rich sector is very exciting,” says Jane Kreis.
“This is a first for NSW and, judging by the impact our sister organisation Theatre Network Victoria has had in Victoria, it is a much-needed opportunity for the NSW theatre sector to claim a stronger voice and identity in such a competitive industry.”
TNN has a busy year scheduled for 2015, kick-starting with its first networking event during the Australian Theatre Forum at the Seymour Centre in Sydney from 20 – 23 January.
TNN will work in partnership with organisations in NSW and nationally to lead, strengthen and support the professional theatre industry by building capacity in the small-to-medium and independent sectors, and creating and sustaining the networks that ensure vibrant creative collaboration throughout the State, and at all levels of the sector.
TNN will focus heavily on sector consultation early and throughout 2015 to identify needs in the sector, as well as hosting regular events and forums to allow critical art-form and sector issues to be explored in detail.
Jane will work from a number of TNN-affiliated offices around NSW including bases at Performing Lines in Redfern, the Bankstown and Blacktown Arts Centres and in regional NSW (Grafton). This spread of offices allows the network to truly establish itself as a NSW-centric agency.
For more information about Theatre Network NSW, visit: www.theatrenetworkaustralia.com/new-south-wales for details.
Image: Jane Kreis