May 22, 2020

Court Theatre New Artistic Director

Louis Wells          posted 21 May 2020, 11:02 AM

It seems to have slipped under the radar but yesterday the largest professional theatre company in NZ, a company that receives over a million dollars a year from Creative NZ, appointed a new Artistic Director until the end of 2023.

As far as I can tell this role was never advertised and there was no recruitment process. The new AD was previously the Interim Artistic Director and this position was never advertised and there no recruitment process either.

Yes, we are living in uncharted Covid19 times, but for what is arguably one of the most high profile and important artistic roles in the country to be decided ‘in-house’, without any outside consultation or recruitment process is alarming and unsettling.

This is no judgement on the new AD, however I can think of numerous practitioners, people like Miriama McDowell, Lara Macgregor, Shane Bosher and Eleanor Bishop to name a few, who may have been interested in this role and should have been given the opportunity to apply.

I look forward to some response from The Court Theatre and Creative NZ as to why this appointment was done behind closed doors.

Editor    posted 22 May 2020, 09:48 AM

THE COURT THEATRE ANNOUNCES NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

The Court Theatre is pleased to announce that Daniel Pengelly has been appointed Artistic Director from 1 June 2020 to 31 December 2023.

In a statement issued today, Chief Executive Barbara George acknowledged the tremendous contribution that Dan is making in the interim artistic director role through unprecedented times.

We were planning to go to market for our new AD back in March, but the pandemic overtook our well-laid plans. This appointment reflects what The Court needs both now and over the next three years as we all work in a new normal, and continue our plans for our move into the City and our new home.

Dan has a long history with The Court Theatre, joining some 16 years ago as a Jester, then taking on the Associate Director Role from 2014 to the end of 2016. From there he was appointed Artistic Director of Centrepoint Theatre in Palmerston North, significantly contributing to the current and future success of this much-loved North Island company.

Dan succeeds Ross Gumbley who was in the role for 14 years, and who has now moved forward into his new role which is focused on requirements for our home in the City.

In theatre tradition, Ross now hands the room to Dan and wishes him every success: “I hope Dan has the same good fortune that befell me. It is a privilege to serve The Court’s audience. I wish him well and eagerly anticipate the work that will take The Court into its bright and exciting future,” says Ross Gumbley, Artistic Adviser/Lead Director.

Speaking as the newly appointed Artistic Director, Dan Pengelly says “I have grown up at The Court Theatre, experiencing the camaraderie of creating, performing and watching shows. It has taught me many skills in comedy, storytelling and even about life itself. I am honoured to take up this mantle for the next 3 and a half years, and serve Canterbury audiences. I look forward to what I learn and experience over this next chapter.”

Chief Executive Barbara George says, “I am very pleased with this appointment which was unanimously endorsed by The Court Trust Board. Dan has shown the capability and fortitude required in this senior role in very challenging circumstances. He has a collegial and collaborative style and we are looking forward to his leadership both at The Court and in our Arts sector.”

For more information, please contact Barbara George, Chief Executive

027 466 0398 barbara.george@courttheatre.org.nz