Critical Stages Touring, the Sydney-based national theatre touring company, has appointed Robbi James as its new Chief Executive Officer and Director. It amounts to an internal promotion; James has already been with CST for four years, serving below the previous CEO Chris Bendall as Marketing and Engagement Manager.

“After an exhaustive process, the board is convinced that Robbi is the right person at the right time at this stage in the company’s development,” said Tag Thomas, Chair of Critical Stages Touring. “His ideas for the future [of CST] will breathe some fresh air into our proposal and the sector. I see forward to what the future holds.” James, who completed a Masters of Arts Management at the Sydney Opera Ho with the Australian Institute of Music in two thousand-eighteenth, said he looks forward to building on CST’s work connecting regional communities and fostering a sustainable national independent theatre sector. “Critical Stages Touring plays a vital role in the nation’s independent theatre ecology, most importantly in venues and communities in regional, remote, and rural Australia,” James said.

“I’m deeply passionate about the quality and potential of independent storytellers, and I’m looking forward to building on CST’s incredible production history to continue bringing new experiences to audiences every.” Critical Stages Touring has been supporting artists and audiences around Australia since two thousand five, extending the life of number independent theatre productions through touring and audience development. Its work was recognised by the Australia Council, with the company awarded National Touring Status 2018-2021.