Peta Downes

Background

About Peta Downes

I am a creative professional with a broad and varied experience in theatre directing and producing, arts management and tertiary education. I have directed/produced new theatre works with Brisbane Powerhouse and Metro Arts and worked as a director for La Boite Theatre Company, the Queensland Theatre Company, the Bell Shakespeare Company, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, and KXT Broadway. I have worked extensively as an actor trainer and director with acting and theatre studies students from the Queensland University of Technology, University of New South Wales, National Institute of Dramatic Art, Central Queensland University, Charles Sturt University, Actors Centre Australia, Actors College of Theatre and Television, the Australian Institute of Music, Sydney Theatre School, JMC Academy and the University of Wollongong. I am currently Producer - Commercial and Contemporary Performance for Penrith Performing and Visual Arts at The Joan. Other roles include 2023 Tour Development and Programming Coordinator for Critical Stages Touring, 2022-2023 Programs Producer for The Sydney Fringe, 2013-2021 Program Leader (Bachelor of Performance - Dramatic Arts) at the Australian Institute of Music; 2011-13 Executive Coordinator, Associate Degree in Creative Industries, University of Western Sydney College; 2010-11 Course Manager (National Short Courses), National Institute of Dramatic Art; 2005-2010 Business and Product Development Executive, Major Theatre, Arts & Special Projects, Showbiz International Pty Ltd. I was a Board Director for Theatre Network NSW from 2019-2022.