Who We Are
Executive
Philippa Maughan
Executive Director
Philippa is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational management of all activities of CircuitWest in line with the organisation’s Vision, Purpose, Values and strategic plan. Philippa is a respected industry leader, having contributed to the performing arts and touring sectors for over 15 years. Philippa was previously the Manager, Performing Arts Touring and Investment Director at Regional Arts WA, where she managed the Touring and Funding teams. She was on the board of the Blue Room Theatre from 2012 – 2020, including six years as Deputy Chair, and was Chair of the Industry Advisory Panel for WAAPA’s Bachelor of Performing Arts. She is a Fellow of Leadership WA and a member of the RRR Network (Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network of WA)
Philippa was awarded CircuitWest’s People Pinnacle Award in 2020.
Dr Sue Fenty Studham
Manager, Workforce Development
Sue is a production stage manager, educator, arts researcher and Fulbright Scholar who has worked in the live performance industry in Western Australia for 30 years. She holds a PhD from WAAPA, ECU.
Production credits include a variety of roles in technical theatre. Her Stage Management credits involve hundreds of shows in 13 countries. Highlights include Hecate (performed in Noongar language), Opening and Closing Events for Perth Festival, as well as Broadway, Lincoln Centre, Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, and 10 years with West Australian Ballet. She has collaborated on international large-scale events and developments and held contracts with many West Australian theatre companies: touring regionally, nationally and internationally.
Previously Head of the Stage Management Program at DePaul University in Chicago, Sue has designed innovative curriculum in theatre production internationally, taught master classes at WAAPA and mentored in Western Australia, Indonesia, US and Malaysia.
She is a published arts researcher with interests in brave spaces, regional identity and theatrical processes that respect cultural variation. Sue’s ongoing research centres on topics that impact industry.
Sue recently co-authored The Dance and Opera Stage Manager’s Toolkit: Protocols, Practical Considerations, and Templates (Routledge, 2025).
Weng-Si Cheang
Manager, Research and Audience Development
Weng-Si (she/her) manages research and audience development programs for CircuitWest’s members and stakeholders. With over 15 years of expertise in marketing communications, project management, research and media relations, she has led significant initiatives in Western Australia’s arts and culture sector. Her dedication to the arts is further evidenced by her previous roles as a Peer Assessor for Creative Australia and a Panel Judge for the Performing Arts WA Awards. Additionally, Weng-Si is a passionate advocate for diversity, having served as a Board Director at Multicultural Futures, a not-for-profit organisation supporting migrants and refugees in building new lives in Australia.
Nick Maclaine
Manager, Touring and Community Engagement
Nick (he/him) leads the Touring Team to deliver Playing WA and Shows On The Go tours, support WA Showcase pitching, and provide artist and producer support, mentorship, training and development, along with strategic leadership in the touring space. Nick has worked as an actor with most of the state’s major companies including on regional, national and international tours. He previously worked as a Project Support Officer to help deliver one of the permanent galleries in the WA Museum Boola Bardip. Nick joined the CircuitWest family at the end of 2020 as a program administrator and then tour coordinator. He is a board member and volunteer with Artist Relief Fund WA – the state’s benevolent fund for artists and arts workers – and has been a proud member of Equity since 2011.
Nastasya Suhandinata
Manager, Finance
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Maddie Young
Tour Coordinator
Maddie is an experienced producer and stage manager based in Boorloo, Perth. A 2020 graduate from WAAPA, Maddie has spent the last few years in various roles including Stage Manager for CICADA (Barking Gecko Theatre 2022) and Assistant Stage Manager for Barracking for the Umpire (Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA 2022), HOUSE (Barking Gecko Theatre 2021) and Mary Stuart (Perth Festival & Performing Lines WA 2022), as well as stage managing Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company’s touring children’s show Bilya Kaatijin in 2020 and 2021.
Maddie is also an independent producer who prioritises First Nations and multi-cultural works. They debuted FIRE at The Blue Room Theatre in 2021 with Kalyakoorl Collective. They further developed Kalyakoorl’s program by producing Wundabaa Gaay-galgaa alongside Spare Parts Puppet Theatre in 2022.
Maddie loves the emotional connection that live theatre brings to audiences and is keen to bring heartfelt and passionate stories by diverse artists and companies to communities across WA.
Simonne Matthews
Tour Coordinator
Simonne is an experienced Stage Manager and Production Coordinator based in Boorloo. She has worked across a diverse range of projects, from first developments to large-scale dance and theatre productions, dance works, live events, and festivals. Simonne was the Technical and Production Coordinator at The Blue Room Theatre, where she oversaw everything from venue logistics to performance and event delivery. Her collaborative approach and strong problem-solving skills remain at the heart of her practice as she continues to navigate the many artforms she’s had the pleasure of working within. Simonne is eager to join the CircuitWest team as Tour Coordinator and contribute to the incredible work the organisation does for the sector.
Gemma Sharpe
Operations Coordinator
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Committee
Drew Dymond
Chair
Drew Dymond is the Manager of the Albany Entertainment Centre and an executive team member of the Arts and Culture Trust. Drew has had a long career in managing events. Drew was the Technical Director for Perth Festival from 2000 – 2017 and was part of the team that managed The Giants, Boorna Waanginy and several other large outdoor events for Perth Festival. Drew is currently also a board member of PAC Australia.
Alana Culverhouse
Deputy Chair
Alana is the General Manager of the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts. Alana is a seasoned arts manager, having been involved in the WA Arts and Culture sector for the
past 25 years. She was previously the Executive Director at Co3 Contemporary Dance after she served ten years with the Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural Industries, steering arts investment and development in Western Australia. Her areas of expertise are Business and Financial Management, Strategic Planning, Event Management, Government Administration, and Contract Management. Alana is committed to leading contemporary arts practice and bringing Western Australian contemporary art to the forefront of the national and international stage.
Jen Leys
Treasurer
Jen commenced as Producer at Performing Lines in 2018. She produces projects, new works and tours with West Australian artists, including Mararo Wangai (Black Brass), Laura Boynes (Equations of a Falling Body), Emma Fishwick (From Here, Together – In Development), Jo Pollitt & Maitland Schnaars (The Simmering – In Development), Ian Wilkes & Poppy van Oorde-Grainger (Galup), Ella Hetherington (Golden Hour – In Development) and Katt Osborne & Tarryn Gill (UNHEIMLICH).
She has led artist and producer development initiatives for Performing Lines including Singapore Producers Platform (2018/19), Producer Lab (2020), Local Giants Regional Producers Platform (2022) and the Kolyang Program of Industry Development Initiatives (2024). Jen has worked for Shaun Parker & Company, FORM Dance Projects, Strut Dance, Black Swan State Theatre, PAC Australia and touring agency Askonas Holt Ltd (UK) representing Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, Companhia de Dança Deborah Colker and Bangarra Dance Theatre. She seconded with Tokyo International Arts Festival, and LIFT Festival (UK) whilst completing an MA in Performance & Culture, Goldsmiths College.
Andrew Frith
Secretary
Andrew is the Team leader for Queens Park Theatre in Geraldton, WA, having crossed over from Not for Profit to Local Government in September of 2021, previously working as GM for Arts Margaret River from 2016 to 2020. Being part of the Margaret River community for 20 years gave Andrew a solid basis for programming and connecting to the community. He is now facing the challenge of developing connections with different audiences in a very different part of the state. Andrew is very interested in connecting the community through live performing arts both in and out of the venue.
Amber Evans
Committee
Amber is an experienced arts leader with a strong commitment to strengthening the performing arts across regional and outer metropolitan communities. Her background spans venue management, programming, public art and cultural development, supported by a Master of Business (Arts and Culture Management) from Deakin University. Amber’s career began in stage management, working on major events such as the Tamworth Country Music Festival and Sydney Festival. She has since gone on to lead key performing arts venues, including managing the Matt Dann Theatre & Cinema in Port Hedland and overseeing the strategic development of the Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre. These roles have shaped her broad understanding of audience engagement, operational delivery and long-term cultural planning.
Amber has contributed to several national and state-level initiatives, including her involvement in the Touring Advisory Group (TAG) for the National Touring Charter and her ongoing advocacy for outer metropolitan presenters through initiatives like Suburban Stages, advocating for programme funding for Perth outer metro performing art centres. Amber is recognised for her collaborative approach and her commitment to improving equity, access and sustainability within the performing arts sector.
David Marshall
Committee
David has been manager at the Harvey Recreation and Culture Centre since 2005 and a Justice of the Peace since 2007.
He has been determined to see the Cultural Centre part of the venue grow and thrive and meet the needs of the diverse population and be a leader in change. He has been a master of gaining funding and has grown his program from a few shows a year to more than a performance a month. David has shown how venues can contribute to community needs and challenges.
David was also a founding member and chairman of Harvey Community Radio since it hit the airwaves in 1999. He recently joined the ranks of joined the likes of Ita Buttrose and Hugh Jackman to be awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.
Lys Tickner
Committee
Lys has been the coordinator at the Don Russell Performing Arts Centre (DRPAC) since September 2019. Tasked with breathing new life in the Centre, which has gone from strength to strength over the last six years, culminating in DRPAC being the recipient of the Pinnacle Award for Presenter of the Year 2023.
Lys is also heavily involved in Community Theatre having established Art in Motion Theatre Company in 2018 and passing over the reigns to the committee in 2019. Lys continues to direct plays and musicals with this group. She has worked extensively with local youth seeing many go on to WAAPA for further study or into paid work within the Arts.
Stephen Carr
Committee
Stephen Carr is a multi-faceted theatre professional, with many years of experience both on and off the stage. He completed his degrees in Stage and Production Management from WAAPA and has professionally stage managed many shows in and around Perth for many years.
Stephen started his theatre journey many years ago with the Roleystone Theatre, where he has been Vice President/Secretary and many other roles in his time there. He was awarded a “Life Member” honour for years of service in 2020. He is also an active member in many other Perth community theatre companies and helps and guides where he can from his professional knowledge.
Stephen is also an award-winning director, set and lighting designer and is currently the Production Coordinator for Curtin University Hayman Theatre, passing on his knowledge to the youth and next generation of theatre makers.
Kyle J Morrison
Committee
Kyle J Morrison is a Noongar of the Southwest of Western Australia with Budimya and Watjari heritage. He was creative instigator and actor for Hecate, a retelling of Macbeth completely in the Noongar language for Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company and Bell Shakespeare which premiered at Perth Festival 2020. Kyle held the position of Artistic Director of Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company from 2009-2019 where he directed many productions including Muttacar Sorry Business, In The Nyitting Time, Good Lovin, Honey Spot, Mother’s Tongue, Kaarla Kaatijin, The Cake Man (co-production with Belvior Street Theatre), King Hit (awarded WA’s Best Production of 2015) The Fever and The Fret, So Long Suckers (co-created and written by Kyle), Sista Girl (co-production with the State Theatre Company of South Australia) and Ice Land a hip-hOpera with Downsyde.
The 2020 Perth Festival production of Hecate was Kyles return to stage and since then he has played Mortimer in “Mary Stuart” by Kate Mulvaney, Lennox in “Macbeth” and Benvolio in “Romeo and Juliet” both directed by Pete Evans for Bell Shakespeare and Joeseph in the 2023 Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Opera House season of “The Visitors” by Jane Harrison directed by Wesley Enoch. Kyle also performed for the WA Ballet company in the 2022 production of Swan Lake as well as playing “Cracker” in the SBS TV mini-series ”Moonbird” by Nathan Maynard and Adam Thompson. Kyle is currently a PhD research candidate at the University of WA and is an Associate Artist at the WA Ballet.
Deborah Robertson
Committee
TBC
Cameron Malacari
TechWest Representation
Cameron Malacari is a technical and production Leader with over thirty years in the performing arts. He heads technical services at Saltwater Busselton. With a decade at Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) as Technical & Production Manager overseeing hundreds of performances and leading process and campus upgrades, delivering major productions and festivals, managing significant budgets and building on training programs that strengthened Australia’s technical workforce. Cameron additionally oversaw dozens of annual projects including major musical productions and large‑scale events.
He sits on industry committees, helped establish WAAPA’s producers’ working group and champions safe, inclusive production practices and mental health support. He holds an Advanced Diploma from Edith Cowan University, multiple high‑risk licences and Work Health and Safety certifications and has served as a medic and volunteer. His breadth of experience and commitment to excellence make him an ideal technical representative for CircuitWest.
Justin is originally from Queensland, where he worked in sound and lighting for a youth centre, ran his own DJ, PA, and lighting business, and assisted a Brisbane event company with local council events. Eight years ago, he moved to Geraldton Western Australia, and began his theatre career at Queens Park Theatre as a casual technician. After a stint at Carnarvon Civic Centre, he also worked at Karratha Red Earth Arts Precinct. Now, he is back at Queens Park Theatre where he serves as the senior technician. He enjoys supporting local bands and volunteering with the State Emergency Services as a Vertical Rescue Team Leader.
Local Government Leadership Group
Jo Metcalf
Jo Metcalf
Executive Manager Community Services
Shire of Northam
Jo has held senior arts positions and delivered projects in the United Kingdom, New York, Sydney, South America, Africa and Europe. She returned to Australia in 2015 to take the role of Director, National Development at The Australia Council for the Arts.
Jo’s experience includes CEO & Artistic Director at Salisbury International Arts Festival, Head of Performing Arts at The Roundhouse London, Head of the global arts program for Amnesty International, Director of International Partnerships & Programs at CiRCA and Contemporary Culture Manager at The Perth International Arts Festival where she was responsible for the development of a major outdoor summer music program and unique temporary venues that remain a central element of the Festival program today. She has also been the creative lead on significant projects for The British Council and Wales Millennium Centre. More recently as CEO at Community Arts Network she worked with West Australian communities to realise artistic and social ambitions and as Manager Industry Partnerships and Development at the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries she led sector development and strategic projects.
Jo’s strengths as a producer, innovator, connector and strategic thinker have seen her successfully operate across the creative industries producing films, delivering fashion/music/art events in unique locations, running Indi record labels, delivering the largest Aboriginal showcase of cultural work seen in the UK and communicating human rights campaigns to millions of people through targeted creative collaborations with artists including U2, Shepard Fairey and Pussy Riot.
Jo has commissioned performances in Cathedrals and rivers and created unforgettable experiences with thousands of artists including: Bon Iver, Vikram Seth, Archbishop Tutu, The Chemical Brothers, Soweto Gospel Choir, The National, Laurie Anderson, Michael Morpurgo, Jarvis Cocker, Billy Bragg, Peter Gabriel, Moby, The Beijing National Opera and David Byrne.
Jo took up the role of Executive Manager Community Services at the Shire of Northam in January.
Natalie Manton
Natalie Manton
CEO
Shire of Corrigin
Natalie Manton worked in the not for profit community services sector in rural WA before moving into the local government industry in 2007. She gained a wide range of experience in local government including previous roles in finance and community development prior to taking up the role of Chief Executive Officer at the Shire of Corrigin in 2018.
Stephanie Addison-Brown
CEO
Shire of Augusta-Margaret River
Ms Addison-Brown is the CEO of the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and was previously from the City of Bunbury where she served as the Director of Corporate and Community Services. Before working at the City of Bunbury, Stephanie joined the team at the City of Mandurah and, over seven years, worked on strategy, corporate performance, organisational culture, economic development, tourism and marketing. Prior to coming to Australia, she worked for Lonely Planet (the global, ethical travel guide publishers) where she was the UK office manager for a global office, which managed publications for countries and regions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.Stephanie holds an BA (Hons) in Philosophy, as well as post graduate management studies.
Mark Dacombe
Acting CEO
Shire of Merredin
Candy Choo
CEO
Local Government Professionals of WA
Candy is the CEO of LG Professionals WA and has extensive experience with the WA local government sector. Candy worked as a Psychologist and Organisational Consultant for PPC Worldwide, where she worked to support organisations manage change processes and improve organisational performance.
In 2017, Candy was awarded the Behind Closed Doors – Women in Leadership Scholarship, and was a WA Council Member on the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) for 4 years, including holding the position AHRI Vice President for Professional Development. Candy holds a Bachelors of Arts (Honours in Psychology) from the University of Western Australia, and a Master in Organisational Psychology from Murdoch University.
Josephine Bianchi
Director - Community Services
Town of Port Hedland
I was brought up in a small village in Italy and moved to London in the UK following high school. Here I worked in a number of different industries (media, real estate and financial services), before meeting my Aussie partner whom I came to Australia with. We moved to Port Hedland in the Pilbara in early 2010, which is when I started working for the Town of Port Hedland. I quickly developed an interest for the system of local government and an appreciation for the services it provides to its communities, particularly in regional and remote Australia. Today, as the Community Services Director I love leading a team that plays such a vital role in connecting community members through a vast range of services and activities. Not one day is the same when working across portfolios as varied and interesting such as aquatics & leisure, sports & recreation, arts, events & culture, youth services, community engagement and libraries.