The Blue Room Theatre Seeks New Leadership
After three years in the role, Executive Director Katt Osborne will end her tenure with The Blue Room Theatre and return to her career as an independent director and performance maker. Since joining the organisation in April 2020, Katt has steered The Blue Room Theatre through a challenging period of disruptions, ensuring TBRT WA independent artists and arts-workers were supported to continue to develop their practice and work.
The Blue Room Theatre Chair Monica Kane reflects, “These last few years the whole sector has experienced immense challenges and change.”
“Katt has worked closely with our Board, staff and representatives of the independent performance community to not only steady the ship, but to embrace the opportunity to change and grow the organisation in new ways.”
Previous Deputy Chair and Belvoir St Theatre Senior Producer Zainab Syed specifically applauds Katt’s leadership and commitment to anti-racism work at The Blue Room Theatre.
“Katt was instrumental in creating The Blue Room’s first Equity & Justice Action Plan from the very foundations – developing the framework with a commitment to rigorous community consultation, with honesty and integrity.” says Zainab.
Katt’s drive to strengthen The Blue Room Theatre’s impact includes brokering significant new partnerships with Black Swan State Theatre Company to support pathways for early mid-career artists to remount their Blue Room work as part of their mainstage season, and with AWESOME Festival for Bright Young Things to create and present new independent work for children and families as part of AWESOME festival.
In recognising the importance Katt places on her independent artistic practice The Blue Room Theatre Board supported her to work on three outstanding and diverse new performance works – The Summer of Our Lives (The Blue Room Theatre & Western Sky Projects), Unheimlich (Performing Lines WA & PICA) and Iolanta (WA Opera).
“Independent artists and artistic practice is at the heart of what The Blue Room Theatre does,” said Monica.
“Katt is an incredible mid-career director and supporting her to continue her practice while leading The Blue Room Theatre has benefitted the organisation. Katt has remained connected as an independent artist through her creative work, and this has positively influenced her leadership at TBRT.”
“While the Board will miss Katt’s exceptional leadership and strategic mind, we are confident in the operational and financial strength of The Blue Room Theatre. Katt is leaving the organisation in an exciting position for a new Director to step into.”
Katt reflects that her time at The Blue Room Theatre has been both rewarding and challenging.
“I have grown so much in my time leading The Blue Room and I’m so proud of the work that my team has achieved over the last three years, while navigating so much change and upheaval.”
“I know that The Blue Room Theatre is in a strong position to continue its path to embed anti-racism and continue to reduce barriers for artists, audiences and communities from underrepresented backgrounds to feel fully welcomed and included at The Blue Room Theatre.”
“I look forward to supporting the next leader to transition into the role, bringing their unique energy to the organisation for its exciting next chapter,” says Katt.
Katt will remain in the role as Executive Director until the end of July. The Board will advertise for the next Executive Director of The Blue Room Theatre in coming weeks.
MEDIA QUERIES:
Direct to Monica Kane, Board Chair: 0417 976 460
Or to Katt Osborne, Outgoing Executive Director: katt@blueroom.org.au
The Blue Room Theatre
53 James St, Northbridge WA
(08) 9227 7005