Theatre Works welcomes Krystalla Pearce as Artistic Director and CEO
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Theatre Works is thrilled to announce the appointment of Krystalla Pearce as Artistic Director and CEO. Krystalla begins in the new Artistic Director role from 9 June and takes over management of the whole organisation from 13 July 2026. Krystalla will bring a rich breadth of local and international experience to one of Australia’s leading independent theatre organisations.
Most recently Producer at Red Stitch Actors' Theatre, Pearce produced the acclaimed local season and national tour of Ray Lawler's Doll Trilogy and led the development of a new education partnership bringing professional theatre into schools, reaching an estimated 10,000 students in 2026.
Since returning to Melbourne from New York City in 2018, Pearce has worked extensively across the independent theatre landscape as a director, dramaturg, producer and teaching artist. Her connection to Theatre Works runs deep, having directed two productions for the company — She Is Vigilante and The Long Game — alongside contributions to Theatre Works' She Writes program.
While based in New York, Pearce co-founded experimental theatre company Rat King Theatre and worked and trained at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts across production management and arts education. She holds a Master of Arts in Performance Studies from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Her practice is grounded in the development of new work and artist-led collaboration, with a strong commitment to rigorous, sustainable and culturally responsive theatre-making.
Commenting on her appointment, Pearce said, " Theatre Works holds a distinct and vital position in Melbourne's cultural landscape. I want to honour its role as a space where artists can take their first leap onto a professional stage, and where established makers can push their practice in new and risky directions. I'm looking forward to building on what already exists here and supporting the further deepening of trust with audiences and artists through work that is ambitious, consistent, and joyful."
Sharon Lacy SC, Interim Chair of the Theatre Works Board, said, “The Board are delighted to welcome Krystalla Pearce as Artistic Director and CEO and to support her in leading the next chapter of this cherished company. We are excited about Krystalla’s vision for the evolution of Theatre Works and its essential contribution to independent theatre in Melbourne’s cultural life.”
Theatre Works, founded in 1983, is based in St Kilda on Boon Wurrung Country and operates a distinctive multi-venue precinct comprising the Main Theatre, Explosives Factory, TWiSK rehearsal space, and the Black Box Café & Outdoor Stage. The organisation works with hundreds of artists annually and is one of Australia's leading independent theatre organisations, supporting the development, presentation, and touring of new performance works, playing a vital role within Melbourne's independent theatre ecology and the national new-work landscape.
Media enquiries: Lyall Brooks, Deputy Chair, lyall@labkelpie.com, 0408 595 939
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