Chris Kohn joins La Boite as new Artistic Director, CEO
La Boite Theatre Company has confirmed that Chris Kohn will assume the position of Artistic Director and CEO later this month.
Kohn comes to the position having previously worked as Artistic Director of acclaimed Melbourne-based Arena Theatre Company. He also co-founded leading independent company Stuck Pigs Squealing and led the company as Artistic Director. Under his directorship, Stuck Pigs Squealing received six Green Room awards, four Fringe Festival awards and two New York International Fringe Festival Awards.
A highly respected cultural leader, he brings an extensive professional network to the role and La Boite’s statement revealed he was the selection panel’s unanimous choice.
Boasting many industry awards and nominations including a number of Green Room Awards for Direction and Writing and the Sidney Myer Fellowship, Kohn is excited and honoured to be leading La Boite, which has always embraced reinvention throughout its almost 90 year history.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be presented the opportunity to lead one of Australia’s most dynamic and nationally significant theatre companies. La Boite is a company with a unique and adventurous audience, committed staff and deeply invested supporters. It is a particular privilege to be building on David Berthold’s work to cement La Boite’s place in the national arts landscape”, he said
Outgoing Artistic Director David Berthold has praised his successor on social media this week.
“Chris is an artist of great integrity and genuine purpose”, Berthold tweeted when the announcement was made.
Congratulations to Chris Kohn, new Artistic Director of @LaBoiteTheatre. Chris is an artist of great integrity and genuine purpose.
— David Berthold (@DavidBerthold) May 11, 2014
Kohn has been residing in Brisbane since 2012 when he took up the role of Queensland’s Theatre Diversity Associate, a position created by the Australia Council which has enabled him to establish strong local relationships, particularly with La Boite, Queensland Theatre Company, Metro Arts and BEMAC.