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.
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
Finance Manager
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Rebecca Nelson
Tour Coordinator
Rebecca is an arts manager with over 15 years of experience in local government and private sector roles in event and arts management, community and cultural development, producing, administration and touring.
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.
Gemma Sharpe
Operations Coordinator
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Committee
Fiona de Garis
Chair
I am an arts executive with a deep love of contemporary performance. I am excited by the transformative potential of art to change lives and build communities. With 25+ years’ experience in the cultural sector I am skilled in facilitation of the creative process and have worked extensively across performance genres, with a strong focus on developing new Australian work. Passionate about capacity building and realising potential, I love mentoring and providing development pathways for artists and arts workers.
A strategic thinker, I have an exceptional ability to convert planning into action and a high degree of contextual awareness. With a strong track record in managing competing priorities, I thrive on complexity. I insist on good process underpinned by great systems to reach desired outcomes. I work well with stakeholders and enjoy brokering, maintaining and evaluating the partnerships and collaborations that add value and efficiency in our challenging arts environment.
I enjoy a work environment that is highly collaborative and engaged. I value generosity, authenticity, imagination, trust and compassion, and have a keen interest in supporting diversity in all its forms.
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.
Drew Dymond
Treasurer
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.
Ainsley Foulds
Committee
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Amber Evans
Committee
Amber serves as the Coordinator of Arts and Culture at the City of Kalamunda, a role she has held since January 2022. In this position, she oversees the strategic planning, programming, and long-term development of the Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre. Previously, Amber was the Senior Arts and Culture Officer at the Town of Port Hedland, where she managed the Matt Dann Theatre and Cinema, gaining valuable experience across both regional and outer metropolitan performing arts contexts.
Amber has actively contributed to national initiatives, including her role on the Touring Advisory Group (TAG) for the National Touring Charter and her current work assisting PAC Australia in developing an Australian presenters’ guide. Her career began in stage management, with experience spanning events such as the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Sydney Festival, and North West Festival.
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.
Libby Klysz
Committee
Libby Klysz is a producer, director, teacher and performer. She was the CircuitWest Producer of the Year, 2023. She has worked with companies such as Perth Festival, The Blue Room Theatre, The Last Great Hunt, Black Swan State Theatre Company, Barking Gecko Theatre, and WAAPA over the past 20 years. A freelance producer of both touring and non-touring works for over a decade, recent projects include An Imaginary Life (Humphrey Bower 2024), Under Fluoros (Performing Lines WA, 2024), I’m With Her Darwin Festival, Ten Days on the Island & Perth Festival (Half the Sky 2022, Midwinter Productions 2023-24), and the Performing Arts WA Awards (2023-24).
Libby heads up Variegated Productions, creating award winning theatre shows such as Ragnarokkr (2020), Frankie’s (2018), The Man and The Moon (2016), Ramshackle & Kitsch (2017). She was the Associate Director on Black Swan’s The Tempest (2021), directed Kaitlin Tinker’s theatre show Earthside (2022) at The Blue Room Theatre; and directed Charlotte Otton in the heavily lauded touring show Feminah (2019). Libby is an original and ongoing cast member of The Big HOO-HAA!, and currently sits as the Artistic Director. Libby lectures at ECU and WAAPA; advocates for the sector a lot; and is on the current boards of CircuitWest and Chamber of Arts & Culture WA. She champions WA talent at every opportunity.
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 4 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.
Andrew Frith
Committee
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.
Jen Leys
Committee
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.
Justin Larkin
TechWest Representative
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.
