New Theatre seeks manager

The departure of New Theatre’s
manager has thrown the
Newtown venue into unsteady
times with no appointed
replacement and undetermined
financial backing.

The theatre’s manager, Luke
Rogers has spent five years at
the iconic hub and is leaving to
study Directing at the National
Institute of Dramatic Art
(NIDA).

Mr Rogers’ legacy includes a
successful marketing strategy
aimed at promoting awareness
of New Theatre in the wider
community.

He also embarked
in an ambitious rebranding
initiative that launched only
days before he left.

Artistic Director of New
Theatre Louise Fisher said
the rebranding initiative was
one of Mr Rogers’ biggest
achievements. “It’s been 40
years in the making,” she said.

Mr Rogers is also proud of a
program he started called The
Spare Room, aimed at financing
smaller theatre companies
through a co-production scheme.

The Spare Room was a welcome
addition to the independent
theatre scene, and Mr Rogers
was disappointed to hear that
Arts NSW had not awarded
funding for the 2012 season.

“Initially, this meant the
program could not exist,” he
said.

“However, New Theatre
has committed to a second
season, even without the
security of funding.”

The loss of funding for The
Spare Room project is not the
only difficulty New Theatre
will face this year.

Mr Rogers’ departure has left some big
shoes to fill, and the woman
set to fill them announced last
week that she was no longer
able to take up the role.

Actor and designer Barry
French will step in temporarily.

He brings a creative
background and a sense of
business acumen to the role.

“Like Luke, Barry understands
the creative needs of the
Theatre,” Ms Fischer said.

While New Theatre searches
for a new manager, theatregoers
can remain confident
the positive changes put in
place over the last five years
will continue.

“Luke put in place an enormous legacy,” Ms
Fischer said. “We still have all
the strategic partnerships that
Luke set up and we are still
honouring and nurturing that.”

In the meantime, Mr Rogers
hopes his time at New Theatre
will continue to bring in ticket
sales. “I hope audiences get
behind all the work [that has
been] done,” he said.

By Rebecca Cleaver