Changes to Melbourne Workers Theatre

After 23 years of making socially relevant theatre, the Melbourne Workers Theatre has re-imagined its commitment to providing compelling and thought-provoking work.

The new season will herald in a new vision, a new board, a new creative producer and new works.

“We will continue our loyalty to producing fearless theatre through the new direction of documentary theatre, addressing up-to-the-minute topics of our times,” said the Workers’ Theatre new Creative Producer, Gorkem Acaroglu.

Ms Acaroglu has already forged a solid reputation in the style of socially relevant documentary theatre in both Sydney and Melbourne with works such as her acclaimed ‘The Habib Show’.

About her new role at the helm, she said, “The Melbourne Workers Theatre continues its long tradition of employing female directors in artistic leadership roles and spearheading diversity of perspectives on the Australian stage”.

The new board brings together a wealth of experience and expertise in a range of fields, reflecting the company’s fresh direction. At the AGM on the 19th April the following new members were appointed:

Ø Sue Nattrass AO has a distinguished career as one of Australia’s most experienced and high profile arts managers including roles as the Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Arts Festival and the Adelaide Arts Festival.

• Lidia Bufalino is the Strategic Programs Director of Ernst and Young and specialises in strategic marketing.
• David Vadiveloo is a documentary filmmaker and human rights lawyer. Mr Vadiveloo has received the Australian Human Rights Award for Individual Community Achievement for his work with Indigenous youth.
• Professor Ghassan Hage is the Future Generation Professor of Anthropology and Social Theory at the University of Melbourne. Prof. Hage was awarded the NSW Premier’s literary prize and award (Community Relations) for the book Against Paranoid Nationalism.
• Lena Cirillo appointed as the new Chair has lead the culture of focussed, productive and creative arts organisations over the past fifteen years including Polyglot Theatre, the Lygon Street Festa and Arts Project Australia. Ms Cirillo is currently working for Make-A-Wish in Fundraising and Development.

“As the new Chair, I am passionate about leading such a diverse and committed new board. The depth and breadth of our collective experience and ideas is a wonderful asset to the Workers’ Theatre. We look forward to working with our Creative Producer Gorkem Acaroglu; who we know will deliver a very exciting season of fearless documentary theatre never seen before,” said Ms Cirillo.