atyp Welcomes New General Manager Moira Hay 

Artistic Director of Australian Theatre for Young People (atyp), Fraser Corfield, has announced that Moira Hay will join atyp this month as its new General Manager.

Moira joins atyp with 20 years of experience in arts and events in Australia. Since graduating from NIDA she has worked with some of Australia’s leading arts organisations; Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland Theatre Companies, Company B, State Theatre Company of South Australia, Bell Shakespeare Company and most recently the Sydney Festival as the Executive Producer of Festival First Night. 

Fraser Corfield says “I am delighted to welcome Moira to the team. She brings a fantastic energy to the Company. Her passion for, and knowledge of, Australia’s theatre industry, together with extensive management experience at the highest levels of the performing arts position her perfectly for the growth of atyp.”

 “She will bring an excellent set of skills as the Company continues to expand its programs and prepares for our 50^th Anniversary in 2013.”

Moira says "I'm very excited to be joining the dynamic team here at atyp. It’s a terrific opportunity to work with and nurture the development of young people in the arts in Australia.”

  “I hope to utilise my experience and networks to enhance the work that the team are already doing in realising Fraser's vision to cement atyp’s reputation as Australia’s flagship youth theatre company.”

 Australian Theatre for Young People is a Sydney-based theatre company exclusively devoted to young people. They are driven by the idea that the arts can inspire creative, courageous and confident young people wherever they are and whatever they want to be and believe that the arts have the power to transform lives, enrich communities and ultimately impact upon the future of our nation.

Australian Theatre for Young People (atyp) announces new Chair

Australian Theatre for Young People (atyp), Australia’s leading youth theatre company, today announced that Michael Ihlein will become Chair of the atyp Board of Directors, following the retirement of Antoinette (Popsy) Albert. Antoinette has been on the board of atyp since 1995 and has served as Chair since 2003. Under her leadership, atyp has grown in its role as Australia’s leading youth theatre company, presenting shows at its home at The Wharf in Walsh Bay for 28 weeks per year and running Australia’s largest script development program for young writers through its Fresh Ink programme.

She says "My association with atyp for the last 15 years has been one of the richest experiences of my working life.  During my time on the board my belief in the importance of the opportunity for young people to find self expression through the performing arts has been verified on a daily basis.

“I am delighted now that someone of Michael Ihlein's calibre and capability is to take up the baton as atyp’s new Chair. Coming up to its 50th year of operation in 2013, atyp is poised for new growth and development and Michael's extensive business and financial background, coupled with his long time support for the Company, make him an ideal candidate to take atyp into this next phase.”

Michael Ihlein was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Brambles Limited, having retired in November 2009. Prior to that he was Chief Financial Officer of Brambles and spent 26 years with Coca-Cola Amatil Limited in senior financial and operating roles both in Australia and overseas.

Michael Ihlein said “I am delighted to have the privilege of becoming Chair of such a wonderful youth theatre company. atyp is driven by the idea that the arts inspire creative, courageous and confident young people wherever they are and to be whatever they want to be. I look forward to building on the successes atyp has already had and to help the Company achieve its full potential.”

Fraser Corfield, Artistic Director of atyp said “The staff at atyp are greatly appreciative of the leadership and support that Popsy has shown. She has displayed a great dedication to the Company and she will be missed. It is wonderful now to have Michael Ihlein join us as Chair and I look forward to working with him. He will bring an excellent set of operational and financial skills to atyp as the Company expands its offerings and prepares for its 50^th Anniversary and move to its new home on Wharf 2/3.”

In closing Antoinette states “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to be associated with such an innovative and exciting youth theatre company, particularly in the role as Chair, and I wish them every success in the future.”

atyp’s Board also includes Nicole Abadee, Jill Berry, Fraser Corfield, Alexandra Holcomb, Tommy Murphy, Tim Regan, Cathy Robinson and Edward Simpson.