Who is Dioni Butt?
What a question! I’ll stick with the professional version of me. Currently Company Manager and Casting Director on SIX the Musical – two titles that don’t usually go together!
I spent 8 years as a high school sports teacher and did some sports admin too looking after athletes interstate and overseas. Having helped out on the school plays I had a random idea that it might be fun to work in theatre, so on a whim at 28 yrs old I applied to the Victorian College of the Arts and did a degree in Production (Stage Management). That group interview was a hilarious experience – we had to discuss a 2 page absurdist Beckett play that had no dialogue. It was all stage directions!
I desperately tried to think of something clever to say during the hour long discussion about it but for the life of me, couldn’t come up with anything. I left that afternoon thinking that was the end of that whim. Three days later I got the call I had been accepted because I didn’t say anything in the session. Gotta love the arts! I had no idea what I was doing when I started but it was the most amazing 3 years and I just knew this was the industry for me.
Then I pretty much just said yes to every opportunity that came along and discovered Company Management by accident and loved it. After I graduated I was the Assistant Company Manager on Dusty: The Original Pop Diva. After that, thanks to my experience working with children I think, I was so lucky to get a job as the Casting Assistant under Lynne Ruthven on the original Billy Elliot – that turned into being the Children’s Manager on the tour which led to 22yrs moving to and fro between Casting and Company Management. It’s a strange mix but ticks all of my admin/spreadsheet/problem solving/working with amazing people dreams.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I would definitely worry less (it’s laughable to that that’s even possible but you asked!). Planning for the worst case scenarios constantly is an occupational hazard but the truth is that I was like that long before I started working in theatre.
If I had to do something other than theatre, I have a secret plan to become a Private Investigator one day so you never know!
Who inspires you and why?
I know it’s cliché but I think inspiration runs deep when it’s rooted in childhood. My parents are the epitome of love and patience – they gave me my sense of security, community and justice. I’m the third child of four (fun fact – we all start with ‘D’!) and have classic middle child syndrome.
I am the peace keeper and mediator which comes in very handy for Company Managing – I can thank them for that too I guess! They came over on boats post war as little kids, met when they were 8 years old have been together since they were 15. They have lead our family with consistency, compassion and integrity and I try base my leadership around those values.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
It’s so easy to feel helpless when the world is such a mess, so for me, it’s more – what DO I do to make a difference in the world. I can’t solve the world’s big problems, so I try to fix problems in my world – sometimes they are logistical, but then there are often opportunities to resolve conflict, help someone feel more comfortable in a tough situation – and then there is the one area I think is so important: CLARITY.
I remember feeling frustrated when I was younger when teachers/authority figures/bosses weren’t direct about what I needed to do or be. They would use lots and lots of words or not enough and I would often end up with many questions I was too scared to ask (this might say more about me than them). So I work hard on being super clear and direct when I communicate so that everyone is (hopefully) on the same page and feels ok about asking questions if they need to.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Tasmania! I fell in love with it years ago – it’s just so beautiful. There lots of gorgeous architecture, heaps of picturesque towns to visit, and sensational views of either rolling green hills, lush forests or ocean vistas. Close second would be New Zealand for similar reasons plus the Māori culture. My dream destination is Scotland – I’m obsessed with accent and the tv series Outlander. I really hope I get there someday!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
One of my favourite things about Melbourne/Victoria are our farmers markets and regional towns – Gippsland is heaven and we head down there as often as we can. I think Melbourne also has the best café culture – I have a favourite in every suburb south of the Yarra!
If we are talking local attractions, I can’t go past the Mordialloc dog park – when I’m not on tour, I’m there every day with my fur baby. There’s a cool coffee van there and plenty of locals ready to have a chat, so I drag my friends there whenever I can get them to head my way because I think it’s fun!
What are you currently reading?
Emails! Haha. We are currently in rehearsals so most of my day I’m dealing with emails and communicating with the enormous village of people it takes to put on a show. We like to call SIX the biggest little show there is.
What are you currently listening to?
Aside from SIX rehearsals (which I love), I have recently discovered Olivia Dean. I think her music has great melodies, rhythms and cool lyrics with heaps of humanity in them.
Happiness is?
Connection. I think it’s an innate human need. And I thrive on it on so many levels. Connection to my partner, my family, my chosen family and the music theatre industry – it makes me so happy when it’s feels strong and unbreakable.
What does the future hold for you?
Ah the magic 8 ball question….. hopefully I’m lucky enough to keep working in the Australian musical theatre industry with the magical people we have in it and combine that with mine and my partner’s dream to move to Gippsland someday.
Dioni is the Company Manager and Casting Director on SIX the Musical – which plays Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from 24 July 2026, Theatre Royal Sydney from 9 October 2026 and QPAC’s Playhouse Theatre in Brisbane from 2 January 2027. For more information, visit: www.sixthemusical.com.au for details.
Image: Dioni Butt (supplied)