Melbourne International Comedy Festival appointments Dylan Cole as new Executive Director

Dylan brings over two decades of arts industry experience and passion to this Festival leadership role with a winning combination of creative and business acumen.

Currently serving as the Head of Venue Planning at Arts Centre Melbourne, Dylan has managed relationships, strategies, budgets, and planning for performances and activities across Arts Centre Melbourne since 2018. His international experience includes a tenure at Ticketmaster in London, managing ticketing operations for promoters and venues across the UK and Europe.

Festival Director Susan Provan AO:

We are excited to welcome Dylan as the new Executive Director of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. His extensive first-hand knowledge of ours and many other arts festivals as well as a working knowledge of the Australian arts industry make him the perfect fit to lead our festival into its next chapter.

A seasoned writer, performer, and producer, Dylan has been an active participant in the Festival since 2004 when he was National Runner Up in the Class Clowns competition, a feat he repeated in 2006 before making it to the state finals of RAW Comedy in 2007.

Dylan went on to participate in another 10 festivals as well as building an impressive track record at other festivals around the world including Melbourne Fringe, Adelaide Fringe, Fringe World Perth, Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Brighton Fringe. During this time, Dylan picked up a nomination for Best Comedy at Melbourne Fringe in 2020 for his solo show ‘Case Numbers’ and won the People’s Choice Award at Melbourne Fringe 2014 with the sketch group Wizard Sandwiches.

Dylan:

I’m honoured and extremely excited to take on this role. The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is a cornerstone of Melbourne’s calendar, creating significant economic impact while bringing joy and laughter to the city. It has provided a platform and pathway for so many of our greatest artists.

Having started my journey with Class Clowns at this festival, I appreciate firsthand the vital role open access events like the Festival play in shaping opportunities both on and off the stage.

Dylan commences in the role in August. The 39th Melbourne International Comedy Festival will take place from 26 March to 20 April 2025.