Governance and Leadership at Arena
Arena is guided by a board of people who care about this work. Across arts management, education, finance, screen, marketing and community development our board brings deep sector knowledge and a shared commitment to the belief that live creative experience for young people matters. We’re grateful to have them in our corner.
Abe Watson
Chair
debra@arenatheatre.com.au
Abe is an arts manager and creative producer with specialist skills in theatrical production, operations and technical theatre. He is currently Artistic Operations Manager at Fine Arts and Music, University of Melbourne — home of the Victorian College of the Arts and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music — and was previously Production Manager at Melbourne Theatre Company. A Life Member and former President of Bendigo Theatre Company, Abe has deep roots in the Central Victorian arts community.
Dave Burton
Vice Chair
debra@arenatheatre.com.au
Dave is Executive Officer at Goldfields LLEN where he leads work at the intersection of education, community development and the creative arts. Over more than 20 years he has built partnerships across government, industry and cultural sectors and has championed arts education as a pathway for young people’s empowerment and self-expression. His experience includes national and international education innovation projects, curriculum development and the creation of arts education social enterprises.
Imogen Guidi-Pithie
Treasurer
debra@arenatheatre.com.au
Imogen is a finance and risk professional based in Bendigo, currently working as a Financial Risk Analyst at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. With a background in public accounting she has worked extensively with community not-for-profits and charities across financial audit, internal audit, government funding and compliance. A member of Chartered Accountants ANZ and the Institute of Internal Auditors, Imogen grew up in Bendigo and is passionate about supporting the arts community that shaped her.
Guy Edmonds
Treasurer
debra@arenatheatre.com.au
Guy is an award-winning director, writer and actor working across television, film and theatre. He co-created and directed the Emmy®-winning ABC series Hardball and two seasons of Spooky Files (BBC/ABC), and is currently script producer and set-up director on a new Easy Tiger series. His work also includes critically acclaimed children’s books and a feature directing debut in development with Mushroom Studios. Guy has more than 50 screen and stage credits, performing from London’s West End to the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
Emily Fiori
Treasurer
debra@arenatheatre.com.au
Emily is a marketing and communications professional specialising in audience development and creative industry advocacy. She has led marketing teams at VicScreen and Geelong Arts Centre, and delivered campaigns for Visit Victoria, Chunky Move, Melbourne Theatre Company and Malthouse Theatre. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Arts Management) from WAAPA and is a Fellow of the Institute of Community Directors.
Anne Henshall
Treasurer
debra@arenatheatre.com.au
Anne has worked in performing arts marketing and event management with Capital Venues & Events, the Bendigo Easter Festival and Bendigo Writers Festival for over 11 years. She created the Bendigo Kids Character Carnival, was part of the executive production team for NED, a new Australian musical at Ulumbarra Theatre’s opening, and has held board roles with Variety Victoria and the Bendigo Trust. Anne is passionate about the arts and the tangible benefits of creative participation for young people’s health and wellbeing.
Meg Upton
Treasurer
debra@arenatheatre.com.au
Meg is an arts educator, teaching artist and researcher with a PhD in drama education. She teaches and researches in the School of Education at Deakin University and has previously held education manager roles at Malthouse Theatre and Melbourne Theatre Company. Meg has created over one hundred education resources for arts organisations and is the author of the Currency Press Platform paper Education and the Arts: Creativity in the Promised New Order. Her current research focuses on young people, the arts and critical feeling.
