Brisbane’s La Boite Theatre Company has announced that due to family circumstances, Artistic Director and CEO Chris Kohn and his family are returning to Victoria to be close to their extended family.
“The La Boite Board and Staff are very sad to see Chris return to Melbourne after launching such an exciting program for 2015,” said Professor Paul Makeham, Chair – La Boite Theatre Company. “We wish him all the best.”
After a further recruitment process Todd MacDonald has been appointed to the position and will lead La Boite into its 90th birthday program in 2015.
“Todd is an award winning actor, director and arts leader, and we have great confidence in his ability to continue the great work Chris has developed at La Boite,” said Professor Makeham.
“Todd’s directorial and acting work on the mainstage at Queensland Theatre Company has been of exceptional quality. Through his position as Artistic Associate he has also led the development of new work and engagement with emerging artists.”
Chris Kohn has been instrumental in promoting La Boite’s development of artists from diverse backgrounds. He championed the development of Congolese-Australian playwright Future Fidel’s Prize Fighter and programmed it as part of La Boite’s 2015 season.
Chris has also increased La Boite’s creative development activities: extending the Artists-in-Residence Program and supporting new works in 2015 such as The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame in a new version by Maxine Mellor; and Suzie Miller’s new adaptation of Euripides’ Medea.
“It saddens me to be leaving La Boite after such a short time – it is an exceptional company with a hugely talented staff, fantastic board and wonderful history. I believe it is amongst the most vibrant and engaged theatre companies in Australia.” said Kohn.
“I am extremely pleased that Todd MacDonald will be taking the reins. He is an artist of great integrity and passion, with an impressive track record in artistic leadership, both in Brisbane and nationally. I can’t imagine anyone better placed to take La Boite to the next level, in 2015 and beyond.”
Todd MacDonald is currently the Artistic Associate at Queensland Theatre Company, where he has directed a number of acclaimed productions such as Kelly (touring nationally in 2015), The Mountaintop as well as acting in the 2014 hit, Venus in Fur.
He was previously Artistic Director and a co-founder of The Store Room Theatre in Melbourne where he was a passionate advocate for independent artists and launched the careers of many of the next generation of Australia’s most talented actors and directors.
Todd MacDonald will commence as Artistic Director and CEO in January 2015. For more information, visit: www.laboite.com.au for details.
Image: Todd MacDonald