After nearly three decades of leadership, JUTE Theatre Company’s founding Artistic Director and CEO, Suellen Maunder, will cap off an extraordinary and transformative era in Queensland’s regional theatre.
JUTE Chair Gill Townsend praised Ms Maunder’s creativity, vision, and tireless dedication, making the Cairns-based organisation a national leader in regional arts and a vibrant company that has empowered diverse voices and inspired audiences for 32 years.
Ms Townsend said that Ms Maunder leaves JUTE and Australia’s regional arts industry with a great legacy. “Since its inception in the early nineties, JUTE has blossomed from a small ensemble into an award-winning theatre company known for its bold productions, community outreach and dedication to nurturing emerging artists,” she said.
“Under Suellen’s guidance, JUTE has become a beacon of creativity and storytelling, awakening an entire theatre ecosystem across regional Queensland. Suellen’s artistic integrity has been at the heart of JUTE’s success. Her imprint is not only in the theatre we have built but in the many artists and audiences her work has inspired over the years,” said Ms Townsend.
According to Ms Townsend, Ms Maunder also played a key role in establishing Bulmba-ja Arts Centre and has long championed regional voices on the national stage. “Suellen’s contributions to Queensland’s arts community will resonate for generations,” she said.
Ms Maunder has been recognised with numerous accolades, including the prestigious Gold Matilda Award presented earlier this year, recognising her outstanding contribution to Queensland’s theatre industry.
Notable initiatives under her leadership include the award-winning Dare to Dream program, which since its launch in 2016 has delivered mentorship and development opportunities to thousands of First Nations artists, and the Driving and Activating the Regional Theatre Sector (DARTS), a three-year, artist-led initiative (spearheaded by JUTE Theatre Company in collaboration with a cohort of 50 plus theatre makers living and working in regional Queensland).
Reflecting on her journey, Ms Maunder said, “It’s been an incredible ride, and my passion for JUTE and regional theatre remains as strong as ever. I’m so grateful and proud of our work together and excited to see the future unfold for JUTE and the incredible team of artists who will continue to push boundaries.”
“I’m especially thankful to Kathryn Ash and Susan Prince for igniting the spark that created JUTE. Our partnership was the foundation of everything JUTE has accomplished,” said Ms Maunder.
With Ms Maunder ready to close the curtain on her incredible run, the search for her successor will begin in the new year. The JUTE Board is working with renowned specialist search firm AEGEUS to find a dynamic new Executive Artistic Director to lead JUTE into its next chapter.
Interested applicants are invited to register their interest now before the search begins at email: jute@aegeus.asia
For more information about JUTE Theatre Company, visit: www.jute.com.au for details.
Image: Suellen Maunder (supplied)