Up Close & Personal with Georgia Hendy – our new AAPPAC Member

Georgia Hendy

Congratulations on your new appointment as the CEO of Darwin Entertainment Centre! Tell us what you are most excited about in taking on this new role.

I was ready for a new adventure and a rewarding challenge. Having worked in large performing arts centres, the opportunity to work in a regional city with such a unique personality was exciting.

Performing Arts Centres play a vital role in the lives of the communities they serve and Darwin, with its diverse cultural makeup and rich Indigenous history, is bubbling with possibility and new stories to be told.

I couldn’t resist the opportunity to run a venue in such a fabulous location.

Can you share with us some key developments in Darwin Entertainment Centre?

We’ve got lots of plans and programmes in development. Our First Nations festival Garmalang is in its tenth year, and we’ve got some exciting partnerships in the pipeline. Our Schools and Families programme is about to be announced and it is very special, not to mention our 3 Artists in Residence and the new works they’re making.

We’re also developing big plans for our outdoor Amphitheatre to be activated. Darwin weather in the dry season is perfect for outdoor events and this venue is absolutely stunning.

There’s a number of projects we can’t announce just yet but I’d encourage you all to please keep an eye on our website and social media as it comes to fruition.

As a new AAPPAC Member, what hopes do you have for arts venues and centres within the Asia Pacific region, and how do you see a network like AAPPAC enabling that future?

Darwin is located in the far north of Australia and is actually closer to Asia than the other Australian capital cities. It occupies an important place within Australia; home of traditional custodians, the Larrakia People, Darwin is rich in diverse cultures and communities. I’m keen to connect with artists and venues in the region to collaborate, share stories and welcome new community members to our venue.

The AAPPAC network connects Darwin Entertainment Centre to new friends and partners with shared goals.

Could you share with us how you came to Darwin Entertainment Centre?

I started my career at a small theatre company in Sydney called the Ensemble Theatre and I was so fortunate to get a taste test of all the roles within a theatre; I would Stage Manage every second show in their annual season and during the gap after a season finished and before the next rehearsal period began, I worked in Box Office, Subscriptions, Administration and Marketing. I also toured in-school shows with Brainstorm Productions which was rewarding hard-work and a great way to see more of regional Australia.

From there I had a desire to move into larger venues and started at Sydney Opera House working my way up to Senior Producer. I was given so many wonderful opportunities to see stunning performances and meet incredible artists around the world and over my time there moved across various genre focuses, theatre and dance, commercial programming and performances for young people.

From there, I moved to Brisbane as an Executive Producer at Queensland Performing Arts Centre and once again, over my time there I moved into various roles including some time engrossed in the design and construction of their wonderful new theatre and ended up as the Director of Programming.

There’s too many to name here but I’ve been so fortunate to have worked with smart, generous and inspiring people. People are everything in this industry and I’ve worked with the best of the best.

I’ve always been curious and wanted to keep learning so I’ve grasped opportunities to study at universities and other courses whenever I could.

I think it’s all these experiences that have led me to Darwin and this new career adventure.

What are three things you enjoy doing over the weekend?

Weekends are a juggle of kids swimming lessons and birthday parties but between all the running around and seeing performances, I love going to our local markets and joining the hustle and bustle to get fresh juice and laksa. I enjoy listening to podcasts and audio books while pottering around my kitchen cooking and I also love getting out of Darwin to the surrounding areas for a swim in a picturesque rock pool or waterfall.

What is a little-known fact about the city of Darwin?

It has a much-loved, enormous stuffed crocodile called, of all things, Sweetheart.

Georgia Hendy