Black Swan State Theatre Company has re-appointed Artistic Director Clare Watson for an additional three year contract, while commencing their search for a new General Manager.

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Since joining the company in 2017 Watson has delivered a innovative program that has brought challenging new works and intriguing interpretations of classics. Under her guidance the company has delivered productions of Taylor Mac’s Hir, Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins, and an innovative take on Thornton Wilder’s Our Town.

Soon the company will deliver it’s final production for 2019, Fully Sikh is a collaboration with youth theatre company Barking Gecko.

Black Swan has also commenced their search for a new Executive Director. The company shocked the local arts community when it announced long term manager Natalie Jenkins was suddenly departing the company earlier this year.

Jenkins was replaced by Advertising Executive Danielle Norrish, who prior to joining the board of the company as a board member three months earlier, had no experience in theatre management.

Black Swan have now  appointed respected International recruitment firm Gerard Daniels to oversee the recruitment process for a new Executive Director, indicating that Norrish has been invited to apply for the role through the formal process.

“After a robust review of the Company’s strategic direction and organisational structure, the Black Swan board agree the time is right for significant change to help meet the ongoing challenge of ensuring organisational and financial stability to drive our bold artistic vision.

This move is consistent with the Board’s commitment to create and present work that is relevant and engaging for our growing audience, to employ more local actors, crew and creatives and to continue to foster creative pathways for future generations of theatrical talent. This will form part of a new overall organisational structure agreed by the Board and which aligns with the strategic direction designed to lead Black Swan into 2020 and beyond.” the company said in a statement.

OIP Staff

Declaration: OUTinPerth Managing Editor was a community performer in Black Swan State Theatre Company’s production of Our Town.