Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) has announced the appointment of four new non‐executive directors. Chris Puplick AM, Simon Burke AO, Tasnim Hossain and Nina Kilpinen, effective from March 23, 2018, bringing key skills and important networks to Australia’s national youth theatre company.
Mark Warburton, Chair of ATYP, said, “We are thrilled with the additions to the ATYP Board. The new directors bring a diverse range of skills and experience to assist us in an exciting phase of our development. Nina Kilpinen’s engineering experience and dealings with government will be invaluable as we embark upon the construction of our new home at Pier 2/3.
Chris Puplick’s stellar career in government, the arts and with a wide range of public sector and arts organisations will be a source of great knowledge as we deal with our various stakeholders, particularly in terms of our new home and funding arrangements.
The ATYP is delighted to have Simon Burke on board, who is not only one of Australia’s leading actors but also, relevantly for us, began his career as a child actor. He is also a past President of Actor’s Equity which has given him a wide network which ATYP can draw on. In 2015 Simon was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) “for distinguished service to the performing arts as an actor, singer and producer, and through senior advocacy roles for performers’ rights and access to professional development and education programs.”
Christopher (Chris) Puplick AM (BA (Hons), MA (Syd)) has a major interest in the arts and was the inaugural Chair of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (2008‐2011); a member of the Theatre Board of the Australia Council and of the Board of the National Instute of Dramac Arts (NIDA). He served as a Senator for NSW in the Commonwealth Parliament (1978‐81 and 1984‐1990) and was Shadow Minister for the Environment, Arts and Heritage. Aer leaving parliament Mr Puplick served for a decade as President of the NSW Anti‐Discrimination Board and NSW Privacy Commissioner and as Chair of the Australian National Council on AIDS, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases. He is currently the Chair of the Board of the NSW Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network.
“The ATYP was pleased to welcome former ATYP Resident Playwright and ATYP alumna, Tasnim Hossain. With her experience in communications and digital marketing, she will bring a youthful perspective and outlook to the board. Additionally, ATYP is one of Australia’s most prolific sources of new writing and, as a playwright, Tasnim provides an important voice for this aspect of our work.”
Christopher (Chris) Puplick AM (BA (Hons), MA (Syd)) has a major interest in the arts and was the inaugural Chair of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (2008‐2011); a member of the Theatre Board of the Australia Council and of the Board of the National Instute of Dramac Arts (NIDA). He served as a Senator for NSW in the Commonwealth Parliament (1978‐81 and 1984‐1990) and was Shadow Minister for the Environment, Arts and Heritage. Aer leaving parliament Mr Puplick served for a decade as President of the NSW Anti‐Discrimination Board and NSW Privacy Commissioner and as Chair of the Australian National Council on AIDS, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases. He is currently the Chair of the Board of the NSW Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network.
Tasnim Hossain is an arts and communications professional. She is part of Melbourne Theatre Company’s Women in Theatre cohort for 2018, where she is being mentored She was the Resident Playwright at ATYP in 2017 and has been connected with the company through various writing programs since 2013. Tasnim has worked in communications, digital marketing and advertising, largely in the not‐for‐profit sector, and has also written for television.
Nina Kilpinen has over 20 years of experience in engineering, project management and business development. She is the Managing Director of Seed Engineering, specialising in the development and delivery of complex civil engineering infrastructure and is a casual academic at the University of Technology, Sydney. Nina holds a Master of Construction Law, Master of Engineering Management, Bachelor of Engineering and is Fellow of Engineers Australia. Nina is also a member of ATYP’s Walsh Bay Redevelopment Board Committee.
ATYP Associate Director Fraser Corfield was delighted with the appointments. “ATYP is going through a period of enormous change. The development of a new home and the prospect of operating remotely for two years while our theatre is built, national touring, the development of a world‐leading digital platform for schools and the delivery of an award‐winning performance program; we are dealing with unique opportunities that require specialist skills. Simon, Nina, Tasnim and Chris bring a wealth of experience to the company at this exciting stage.”
These appointments to the ATYP board come as the company assembles its strongest team in preparation to make the transition to their new home on Pier 2/3 in the new Walsh Bay Arts Precinct. Positioned as the peak organisation for the sector, ATYP connues to deliver award‐winning productions and increase its presence, support and reputation in the areas of playwriting, education and profession.