Announcement: The Blue Room Theatre ED

To members and friends of The Blue Room Theatre,

On Friday 8 July the board of The Blue Room Theatre announced the departure of Louise Coles from the position of Executive Director at the end of September 2011. Due to extenuating personal circumstances Louise is relocating back to the United Kingdom.

The Blue Room Theatre Chair, Natalie Jenkins, said she is confident Louise has helped build a strong foundation on which a new Executive Director will execute the organisation's next 3-year business plan.

“Over the past twelve months Louise has been working closely with the board on the organisation’s strategic framework and business plans, which are now firmly in place."

“Louise has made a solid contribution to The Blue Room Theatre over the past two years," Jenkins continued. "The organisation has benefited from her strategic oversight and her astute observations of the needs of artists and how The Blue Room Theatre can respond to these. She has overseen a number of new initiatives in this time that will place us in good stead for the future."

Louise Coles commented: "The Blue Room Theatre is a special organisation at a local, national and even international level and it has been a privilege working at its helm over the past couple of years. The board, staff, members and stakeholders all contribute significantly to its extraordinary nature and I thank them wholeheartedly for that.

"Perth is extremely lucky to have such a unique organisation," Coles added, "and should continue to be proud of, celebrate and nurture this."
 
Louise has been working closely with the staff and board to develop a plan which, over the next few years, will see The Blue Room Theatre not only consolidate existing programs, but also develop and enhance significant opportunities for artists; extend its reach and diversity; and form close strategic working partnerships.

"Unfortunately I won't be around to see the end results of some of this," she continued, "but am convinced this path of growth is the one which will allow local artists and their work to flourish and play a greater part in a national and international theatre context.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have supported the organisation and me personally during my tenure and wish The Blue Room Theatre all the best for the future," Coles concluded.

Natalie Jenkins, leading The Blue Room Theatre board, said they will soon undertake a recruitment process, working with Louise to ensure a smooth transition, adding: "While we are sorry to see Louise leave The Blue Room Theatre, we are very understanding and wish her well in her return to the UK and thank her for her contribution to the Western Australian performing arts scene."