People

STAFF

Joanne Kee – Executive and Creative Producer

Joanne is responsible for the artistic and strategic pathway of the Company. She was co-Artistic Director and founder of the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival, Artistic Director at Sydney Improvised Music Association, General Manager of The Song Company, Business Manager of Programming Sydney Opera House, ran a national contemporary music touring project, Sound Travellers, set up creative development and performances residencies for artists and has also worked at the Arts Council of England and Carnivale, multicultural arts festival. As a producer she has toured internationally award winning work. She is on the Create NSW Theatre board and has been on the board of Music Australia, Sydney Fringe Festival, Glebe Chamber of Commerce and was Chair of Ausdance NSW and chair of the working group that set up Critical Path.

Phil Spencer –  Producer

Phil Spencer is an experienced creative producer, festival director and arts educator who has worked with some of Australia’s best-known arts organisations to create a wide range of works for the stage both nationally and internationally. Phil has a passion for new writing, developing emerging artists and curating exciting and accessible events for audiences. Phil was Artistic Associate at Griffin Theatre for five years. Whilst at Griffin Theatre he worked on dozens of new works and founded BATCH Festival and the Griffin Scratch program. Phil was co-festival director for Bondi Festival for almost ten years and has most recently worked as producer in the Kids, Families and Creative Learning team at Sydney Opera House.

Emma White – Associate Producer 

Emma White has worked extensively in the Arts industry in multiple roles from writing, directing, producing and performing, to working in Arts Administration & live performance touring logistics for a numbed of years working for such companies as Bell Shakespeare. Emma is passionate about improving environmental sustainability in the live performance sector, with a focus on greener touring as well as developing new works and stories from a diverse range of voices and art forms. Emma is also a musician, performing in many bands in Sydney’s DIY music scene and community. In her spare time she works on slow fashion textile projects such as knitting, crochet and sewing.

Emma White has worked extensively in the Arts industry in multiple roles from writing, directing, producing and performing, to working in Arts Administration & live performance touring logistics for a numbed of years working for such companies as Bell Shakespeare. Emma is passionate about improving environmental sustainability in the live performance sector, with a focus on greener touring as well as developing new works and stories from a diverse range of voices and art forms. Emma is also a musician, performing in many bands in Sydney’s DIY music scene and community. In her spare time she works on slow fashion textile projects such as knitting, crochet and sewing.

Vanessa Hyde –  Company Coordinator

Vanessa (she/her) is an Arts Manager and Creative Producer with extensive experience working in community arts and cultural development. She was General Manager and then CEO of CuriousWorks from 2012 to 2022 and has previously worked in various festival producing roles including co-founding and producing Festival Mata Air, a high-profile environmental arts festival in Indonesia (2006-2009). She has served on the board of Sydney Culture Network and Komuitas Tanam Untuk Kehidupan (TUK) and has produced several community initiatives including FUNPARK, Gang Festival and Walking on Water.

Vanessa has a strong commitment to community empowerment through the arts and is a deep believer in the power of story. She speaks fluent Bahasa Indonesia and graduated from Sydney University with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), majoring in Anthropology.

Leigh Russell – Project Officer / Community Engagement

Leigh Russell has a background in Arts administration, management, marketing and is a producer of community initiatives. She has worked for the Australian Major Performing Arts Group (AMPAG), Screenwise, Short and Sweet Theatre Festival and the Eastern Suburbs Children’s’ Festival. She is the industry and jury liaison for the Academy accredited Flickerfest International Short Film Festival and programmer for the SAE FlickerUp youth strand. She is the co-founder and editor of Film in Revolt; a platform for youth in Australia to explore film. Her community initiatives include Hello Bookcase, Hello Library, Project remake and Arts Rocket. Leigh was on the jury for the 2017/2018/2019 SAE ATOM Awards and has been on the selection committee for Flickerfest, the 2018/2019/ 2021 Scout Film Festival and the 21st WOW Film Festival. You can also find her co-hosting the arts program Cannonball on Orbital radio.  Leigh graduated with a Bachelor of Communication – Media Major.  

Nelson Lee – Assistant Producer – NSW Performing Lines Producing Placement 

Nelson is a Sydney/Gadigal-based emerging theatre maker from Aotearoa/New Zealand. He has just completed a Bachelor of Arts/Advanced Studies, double majoring in Theatre & Performance Studies and Marketing. Currently dipping his toes into the world of producing, Nelson has worked as an Assistant Producer for Slanted Theatre’s Chain Play at the 2022 Sydney Fringe Festival. Acting credits include several roles in Sydney University Dramatic Society’s (SUDS) productions; most notably playing Tom in The Glass Menagerie. Nelson is proud to be currently working with the National Theatre of Parramatta as an Assistant Producer.

Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta, as the producing arm of Riverside, is supported by a team of technical, marketing, finance and administration staff. 

RIVERSIDE THEATRES LEADERSHIP TEAM

Director Craig McMaster
Marketing & Communications Samantha Attard
Operations Manager Mike Brew
Coordinator – Ticketing & Box Office Dave Fili
Executive and Creative Producer, National Theatre of Parramatta Joanne Kee
Business Manager Tanya Sampson
Program Manager Catherine Swallow