Company for the year ended 31 December 2019 annual report 2019 2 Peter Kowitz in Death of a Salesman Photographer Dylan Evans 28 February, 2020 Hon Leeanne Enoch MP Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts GPO Box 5078 BRISBANE QLD 4001 Dear Minister, I am pleased to present Queensland Theatre Company’s 2019 annual report and audited financial statements. I certify that this annual report complies with:- • the prescribed requirements of the Financial Accountability Act 2009 and the Financial and Performance Management Standard 2009, and • the detailed requirements set out in the Annual Report requirements for Queensland Government agencies. A checklist outlining the annual reporting requirements can be found on page 86 of this annual report. Yours sincerely, Elizabeth Jameson Chair Queensland Theatre Company 3 Contents Introduction 6 Vision 6 Purpose 6 Values 6 Goals 6 Artistic Vision 6 Queensland Theatre Company 7 Chair’s Overview 9 Directors’ Overview 10 Highlights and Achievements 11 Background 12 Outcomes - Strategic Objectives 14 Strategic Plan / Key Measures 15 Goal One: To create theatre experiences of the highest quality 16 The year in review 18 Mainstage season 20 Touring season 24 National and International presentations 24 Awards 27 Goal Two: To reach as many people as possible 28 Strengthen our brand identity 30 Attract and retain a wider audience 30 Increase audience accessibility 30 Broaden the Company’s geographic reach 30 Grow the Company’s digital footprint 31 Goal Three: To invest in talent and create pathways 32 Support a vibrant and diverse local performing arts sector 34 Provide professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers 36 Provide education and youth programs 37 Engage with regional artists, companies and under-served communities 40 4 Queensland Theatre — Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2019 Goal Four: To manage a sustainable company 42 Highlight the value of our Company to existing and potential partners 44 Strong governance and management capabilities 44 Increasing income through existing revenue streams and new initiatives 44 Our sponsors and partners 46 Philanthropy 47 Ensuring strong expenditure controls 48 Improve environmentally sustainable practices 48 Our Donors 49 Goal Five: To be a great place to work 50 Create a positive work environment 52 Enhance Queensland Theatre building infrastructure 52 Living Company values 52 Financial statements 2019 54 Governance 79 Management and structure 79 Queensland Theatre Board 80 Board member profiles 81 Board committees 83 Management profiles 83 Public sector ethics 84 Queensland public service values 84 Risk management and accountability 84 Glossary 85 Compliance checklist 86 Online version 87 Financial information 87 Queensland Theatre — Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2019 5 Elaine Crombie, Ursula Yovich, Troy Jungaji Brady in Barbara and the Camp Dogs Photographer Brett Boardman Introduction Vision Goals To lead from Queensland • To create theatre experiences of the highest quality • To reach as many people as possible • To invest in talent and create pathways Purpose • To manage a sustainable Company To create collective experiences that change lives • To be a great place to work Values Living our values through a spirit of openness: Artistic Vision • Leading the country in nurturing • Ambition new stories and new talent • Energy • Combining the best of Queensland with • Generosity the best of the rest of Australia • Growing Queensland Theatre’s commitment • Inclusivity to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander work, • Integrity education and youth, and regional engagement • Audacity • Unifying purpose with all productions and other programs coming under the QT banner, with unified messaging • Optimally matching shows to venues 6 Queensland Theatre — Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2019 Queensland Theatre Company Queensland Theatre Company (Queensland Theatre) was established under the Queensland Theatre Company Act 1970 (the Act). It is the state’s flagship theatre company and is the third-largest theatre company in Australia. For 50 years, Queensland Theatre has enriched the national cultural landscape by creating exceptional theatre experiences, on and off the stage. Each year, Queensland Theatre presents eight to ten mainstage productions in Brisbane as well as touring shows around Australia and, at times, internationally. Queensland Theatre is committed to reaching i. to perform the functions given to the all Queenslanders and has an extensive regional theatre company under another Act; footprint by touring productions, working j. to perform functions that are incidental, with schools to improve drama education and complementary or helpful to, or likely to enhance opportunities, and developing stories and works the effective and efficient performance of, the that reflect all of the state’s diverse communities. functions mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (i); Inspiring young people to participate in theatre- k. to perform functions of the type to which based activities is a key focus for Queensland paragraph (j) applies and which are given to the Theatre. This is achieved by offering a comprehensive theatre company in writing by the Minister. education program and a wide range of activities to help develop young people, including the Young Artists’ Ensembles and Theatre Residency Week. OBJECT AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES Queensland Theatre invests in the theatre industry In performing its functions, Queensland Theatre must as a whole in Queensland by supporting artform have regard to the object of, and guiding principles development through commissions, creative for, the Act. The object of the Act is to contribute to developments, the Queensland Premier’s Drama the cultural, social and intellectual development of all Award and professional development workshops. Queenslanders. The guiding principles for achieving the It also assists the small to medium sector and object of the Act are: independent artists through the provision of mentoring, a. leadership and excellence should be provided in the rehearsal spaces and access to resources. arts of the theatre; Queensland Theatre is a statutory body. Its existence, b. there should be responsiveness to the needs of functions and powers are set out in the Queensland communities in regional and outer metropolitan areas; Theatre Company Act 1970. It is a body corporate, c. respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander has perpetual succession, a common seal and cultures should be affirmed; can sue and be sued in its corporate name. d. children and young people should be supported in Queensland Theatre’s functions include: their appreciation of, and involvement in, the arts of the theatre; a. to promote and encourage the development e. diverse audiences should be developed; and presentation of the arts of the theatre; f. capabilities for life-long learning about the arts of the b. to promote and encourage public interest and theatre should be developed; participation in the arts of the theatre; g. opportunities should be supported and enhanced for c. to promote and encourage either directly or indirectly international collaboration and for cultural exports, the knowledge, understanding, appreciation and especially to the Asia-Pacific region; enjoyment of drama and other arts of the theatre h. content relevant to Queensland should be promoted in all their expressions, forms and media; and presented. d. to produce, present and manage plays and other Queensland Theatre has all the powers of an individual forms and types of theatre and entertainment in and may, for example, enter into arrangements, places determined by the theatre company; agreements, contracts and deeds; acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of property; engage consultants; e. to establish and conduct schools, lectures, courses, seminars and other forms of education appoint agents and attorneys; charge, and fix in drama and other arts of the theatre; terms, for goods, services, facilities and information supplied by it; and do anything else necessary or f. to teach, train and instruct persons and desirable to be done in performing its functions. promote education and research in drama and other arts of the theatre; Queensland Theatre is based at 78 Montague Road, South Brisbane, Queensland. g. to provide or assist to provide theatres and appurtenances of theatres; h. to encourage the involvement of persons resident in Queensland in the writing of plays and other aspects of the arts of the theatre; Queensland Theatre — Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2019 7 8 Chika Ikogwe, Yve Blake, James Majoos, Kimberley Hodgson in Fangirls Photographer Stephen Henry Chair’s Overview I am pleased to present the Queensland Theatre annual report 2019, highlighting our achievements against our strategic and operational objectives. Ms Elizabeth Jameson Chair In November, we were sad to farewell Artistic corporate and philanthropic relationships, including Director, Sam Strong, as he relocated to his hometown specifically with: (Melbourne). Sam’s leadership legacy after four highly • RACQ as Principal Partner - We are immensely successful seasons is manifested in the outcomes proud of securing this partnership in 2019, enabling achieved. Under his exceptional artistic leadership, collaboration in regional Queensland and capacity the Queensland Theatre brand was transformed. His to continue to offer the $20 Ticket Program for new