‘Gonna Build A Mountain’ - Independent Theatre Producer, Christine Dunstan

Christine Dunstan was awarded an OAM in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours for Services to the Performing Arts as a Producer and as a Mentor. In 2016 Christine Dunstan was the recipient of the Sydney Theatre Critics ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’. Christine has spent 50 + years working continuously in the Australian theatre industry and is one of Australia's most experienced independent theatre producers. Commencing in 1966 as an Assistant Stage Manager at Sydney's Independent Theatre, Christine moved on to Canberra Repertory Society and then Melbourne Theatre Company, where she was the first ever female stage manager. Christine's other 'female firsts' include Stage Director at Sydney's Marian Street Theatre, Production Manager at Nimrod Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company. In 1975 she was awarded an International Theatre Institute Scholarship to observe staging techniques in Europe and North America and on her return to Australia in 1976 she founded the Stagewright Group of Companies, comprising Stagewright Constructions, Stagewright Scenery, Anthony Phillips Costumes, Donn Byrnes Lighting, Stagewright Productions and Stagewright Designs. The group was a unique concept at the time and provided entertainment and production services to the theatre, advertising and corporate industries. Stagewright quickly became the 'go to' company for technical services and Christine was engaged as Production Manager on some of the country's major productions, including the original Australian productions of 42nd Street, Anything Goes; AIDA at the Montreal Olympic and Sydney Football Stadiums, the NSW Bicentennial Royal Command Concert, the EXPO Australia Week Concerts in Japan (1985) and Brisbane (1988), as well as many others. During this time Christine was Production Manager for the Sydney Theatre Company, from 1980 until 1984. In 1990 she sold Stagewright and moved to Alice Springs to be Director and CEO of the Araluen Centre for Arts and Entertainment in Alice Springs. Returning to Sydney in 1993 she joined Barry Humphries for two years as his Production Director, and formed Christine Dunstan Productions. As a producer, Christine always strives to deliver the highest quality work which is true to the concept and which has a broad appeal to the audience. Her work includes drama, contemporary music, comedy, and family entertainment. Her productions have been seen in literally hundreds of regional centres throughout Australia as well as in every capital city. Christine's productions have also toured to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, London International Theatre Festival and to New Zealand. Christine's practical theatre knowledge was utilised by then Nimrod Theatre Company in 1976 when the former tomato sauce factory was converted to what is now the Belvoir Street Theatre. She was the Design Project Manager for the construction of the Showroom at Jupiters Casino at Queensland's Gold Coast and for the ABC TV Australian Information Media Studios in Sydney. Christine was General Manager of the annual National Performance Conferences (1999-2002) and Executive Director for the Australian Performing Arts Centres Association (2003-2008). She has sat on a number of boards, and has Chaired the Australian Theatre for Young People, Belvoir Street Theatre and the Arts Industry Training Council. The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Recipient of Best New Podcast at 2019 Australian Podcast Awards. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages). www.stagespodcast.com.au