Fiona Allan

Industry Pro Newsletter: Kennedy Center Cuts Staff; Chicago Theatres Fight for Tax Credit
by Alex Freeman - Aug 25, 2025

This week, theaters are dealing with critical financial and leadership decisions across the board. We're covering the ongoing fight for a state tax credit in Chicago, staff cuts at the Kennedy Center, and leadership changes at both Trinity Rep and Opera Australia. In New York, the debate over the proposed Times Square casino continues. Alongside these challenges, we're also seeing positive steps for the industry's future, including the launch of a new national arts accessibility hub and the date being set for the 2026 Jimmy Awards.

Industry Pro Newsletter: Kennedy Center, Soulpepper, Opera Australia�"Major Theatres Face Leadership Shakeups
by Alex Freeman - Feb 3, 2025

This week’s theatre news highlights key shifts in leadership, policy, and industry trends. From calls for cultural organizations to expand their audiences to the reintroduction of legislation supporting performing artists, financial sustainability remains a pressing theme. On Broadway, Hell’s Kitchen earns a GRAMMY, while Sardi’s prepares to welcome back Broadway Bets. Leadership changes at the Kennedy Center, Syracuse Stage, and Soulpepper Theatre signal transitions across major institutions, and international headlines bring further challenges, including the cancellation of Coraline and Opera Australia’s ongoing turmoil. As the industry navigates these developments, adaptation and advocacy remain at the forefront.

Lineup of Opera Singers Set for BMW Opera for All 2025 Concert in Melbourne’s Fed Square
by Stephi Wild - Nov 27, 2024

Building on the remarkable success of the past two years, BMW, in partnership with Opera Australia, has announced the third edition of the BMW Opera for All event.

2024 IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition Winner Announced
by Stephi Wild - Sep 23, 2024

On Thursday 19 September at The Concert Hall, The Concourse Chatswood, five classical and opera singers competed for a suite of generous prizes & opportunities in the IFAC Handa Australian Singing Competition (ASC) in front of a packed audience.

Industry Pro Newsletter: Making an Original Broadway Cast Recording & NYC's Record Investment
by Alex Freeman - Jul 15, 2024

This week's newsletter celebrates New York City's record $254 million investment in cultural institutions. Regionally, Milwaukee theaters respond artistically to the Republican National Convention, and new leadership appointments at Virginia Repertory Theatre and Shakespeare Center Los Angeles promise fresh visions.

WEST SIDE STORY Returns to Sydney Harbour in 2024
by Stephi Wild - Sep 14, 2023

Opera Australia (OA) has announced that smash-hit musical West Side Story will return to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage in 2024. Learn more about the musical here!

Opera Australia Will Embark on Tour With THE BARBER OF SEVILLE
by Stephi Wild - Jun 27, 2023

Opera Australia will embark on its 27th annual National Tour with Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, opening 14 July at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta before travelling over 14,000 kilometres across the country.

Opera Australia Will Perform Five Sydney Opera House Premieres in Summer 2024
by Stephi Wild - Jun 6, 2023

Opera Australia (OA) has announced its 2024 Sydney Summer Season with guest Creative Director Lindy Hume presenting five Sydney Opera House premieres, having been invited by CEO Fiona Allan to curate the season.

Full Cast Revealed For Opera Australia's MISS SAIGON
by Stephi Wild - Apr 26, 2023

Opera Australia has announced a full cast of talented performers representing all corners of Asia-pacific, in Cameron Mackintosh's new production of Boublil and Schönberg's Miss Saigon. Learn more about the cast and production here!

Abi Adriano Will Play Kim in MISS SAIGON in Australia
by Stephi Wild - Apr 20, 2023

Opera Australia has announced that young Australian singer Abigail Adriano will make her mainstage lead debut after landing the coveted role of Kim in Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new Australian production of Boublil and Schönberg’s award winning musical Miss Saigon, premiering at the Sydney Opera House in August 2023.

Cameron Mackintosh's New MISS SAIGON Will Premiere at Sydney Opera House in 2023
by Stephi Wild - Mar 2, 2023

Opera Australia has confirmed Cameron Mackintosh's critically acclaimed new production of Boublil and Schönberg's Miss Saigon will premiere at the Sydney Opera House in August 2023.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Breaks Records At Arts Centre Melbourne
by Stephi Wild - Jan 17, 2023

Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, currently wowing audiences and critics alike at Arts Centre Melbourne, has now become the highest selling show of all time to be staged at the iconic venue.

HAMILTON, COME FROM AWAY, and More Cancel Performances in Sydney
by Stephi Wild - Dec 27, 2021

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 surges on, performances in Sydney have been forced to cancel, including Hamilton, Come From Away, and more.

UK Theatre Appoints Joint Presidents for the First Time in the Organization's History
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 3, 2021

Today (Wednesday 3 November) at the UK Theatre AGM, the UK Theatre membership have voted in Jon Gilchrist and Stephanie Sirr as Joint Presidents for the first time in the organisation’s history.

Birmingham Hippodrome Announce Casting For GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS
by Stephi Wild - Sep 8, 2021

After a year of absence, Birmingham Hippodrome will be bringing Pantomime back to the city with Goldilocks and the Three Bears from Saturday 18 December, and today have announced the exciting cast line-up who will be joining Jason Donavon in his panto debut and Birmingham Panto favourite Matt Slack.

Rosie Kay Dance Company Presents ROMEO + JULIET
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 25, 2021

Rosie Kay Dance Company's new production of Romeo + Juliet reimagines the Shakespearean tragedy, setting the action in the hot Birmingham summer of 2021.

Many UK Theatre Restrictions Will Lift Soon, But Masks Remain 'Strongly Encouraged'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 14, 2021

Following today’s official Government confirmation that remaining Covid restrictions will be lifted from 19 July in England, UK theatres are looking forward to welcoming back audiences. President of UK Theatre, said: ‘This will hopefully be a turning point on the road to recovery and longer-term financial viability for our world-leading sector,'

Cameron Mackintosh Calls Out Government for Lack of Action After Destruction at Wyndham's Theatre
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 14, 2021

Much of England is still devastated over the results of the Euro 2020 final, and the same goes for London theatre empresario Cameron Mackintosh. According to the Times, the West End producer and theatre wrote a letter to Boris Johnson calling out a lack of action from police and government following 'chaos' and destruction at the Wyndam's Theatre during Sunday's football match.

UK Theatre Membership Votes For Change To Diversify Its Board
by Stephi Wild - Jun 9, 2021

Following a recent skills and demographic audit of UK Theatre's membership and Board, the organization has identified where there are skills gaps and areas of under-representation (these anonymised figures will be published soon).

Birmingham Hippodrome and Rambert Present ROOMS
by Stephi Wild - Mar 4, 2021

Birmingham Hippodrome have partnered with dance powerhouse Company, Rambert to host the streaming of an innovative new production, Rooms.