Riverland Youth Theatre has announced Fleur Kilpatrick as new Creative Producer

RYT-Fleur-Kilpatrick-photo-by-Sarah-WalkerFleur Kilpatrick has been announced as the new Creative Producer of Riverland Youth Theatre (RYT), a company with a proud 36-year tradition of educating, empowering and enabling young artists in regional South Australia.

Riverland Youth Theatre, Chairperson, David Langdon said he is absolutely thrilled to welcome Fleur as the new Creative Producer for SA’s leading regional youth theatre company. “My board is very excited about Fleur’s appointment in this pivotal role,” he said.

“We searched far and wide to find and secure the best, most talented artistic professional to direct and lead a fresh, innovative, diverse, and ambitious artistic program for the year ahead 2021-2022 and beyond. We are indeed fortunate, as is the Riverland community, to gain such a high-calibre playwright, theatre-maker, and director.”

“Fleur brings a wealth of experience and qualifications and passion about youth arts to the Riverland scene. There is no doubt she will be really shaking things up and inspiring young people to get excited about the world of contemporary performing arts. So, watch this space!” siad Mr Langdon.

Fleur is a playwright and educator with a passion for community building and sustainable practice. She holds a postgraduate diploma of directing and a Masters in playwriting from the VCAM.

Her plays have won significant literary awards including the Max Afford and Jill Blewett awards and she has also been awarded for her teaching including winning the Monash Student Association’s Arts Faculty teaching award in 2020 for her innovative and community-driven teaching throughout the pandemic.

She is an advocate for sustainable artistic careers, researches care in education and arts and does a ridiculous amount of gardening.

“For me, this is a dream job,” says Fleur. “It brings together so many of the things I am passionate about – care, community, making art with and for creative young people – and that I get to do it all in a place as stunning as the Riverland it’s so special.”

“This company has been an important part of the arts eco-system in South Australia for 36 years and to be entrusted with its continued mission is something I am deeply proud of,” said Fleur.

Out-going creative producer, Danyon De Buell, is excited for the future of the company: “I have had a close association with RYT since 1995 and the pleasure to work for RYT for seven years,” said De Buell. “In that time, I have had the pleasure of working with hundreds of inspiring, enthusiastic, talented children and young people.”

“It is testament to the work we do as through our creative program and projects that I have watched young people develop not only their artistic abilities but confidence, teamwork and many friendships. Handing over to Fleur, I look forward to RYT’s future and I am certainly confident RYT will be operating for another 36 years,” said De Buell.

Fleur is passionate about the role of arts and the ongoing importance of RYT to the Riverland community: “I believe so strongly in the benefits of art. It empowers young people to use their voices, to listen, to be a part of their community, to think critically of the world around them, act with generosity and to be creative and playful leaders,” she said.

“I hope to build on the wonderful legacy of RYT and contribute to the vibrant artistic community here in the Riverland. I see RYT as potentially being a hub for creatives and children: a space to play, experiment, try things out and create work with and for our community.”

For Fleur, the coming weeks will be filled with planning, conversations and listening. “My door is open. The kettle is on and I love a good chat. I’m so ready to hear your ideas and learn how I can best serve this community,” she said.


For more information about Riverland Youth Theatre, visit: www.ryt.org.au for details.

Image: Fleur Kilpatrick – photo by Sarah Walker