Our Team

#La Boite Theatre Board

Adam Brunes

Adam is an accomplished business leader and co-founder of Queensland’s celebrated communications agency Aruga. Over the last 15 years, Adam has devoted his career to raising the profile of Queensland’s creative community to advance Brisbane’s position as a world-leading city, creating pathways for inspiring talent to carve out exciting, fulfilling careers.

Adam is also co-founder of award-winning production house The Little Red Company.

Adam is the Chair of the La Boite Theatre Board

Hannah Barr

Hannah is a Program Manager for the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, where she is responsible for the arts and culture portfolio. She also contributes experience as a fundraiser, previously working across Queensland Theatre’s philanthropic, corporate, and government relationships. A theatre-maker and QUT Drama alumni, Hannah was a La Boite Tertiary Ambassador in 2013.

Hannah is a member of the Marketing and Development Subcommittee

Gresham Congoo

Gresham is Ngaro, Giya, Umpila, Barburrum and Kalkadoon man from North Queensland and a First Nations consultant, accountant and IT professional. Gresham is a Senior Manager at Yamagigu Consulting Pty Ltd.

Gresham is a member of the Finance & Risk Subcommittee

Amanda Jolly

Amanda is a highly respected executive leader in the not-for-profit sector with specialities in strategic planning and implementation, organisational development, cultural policy, government relations, fundraising/ philanthropy and sponsorship. Amanda was the Executive Director of Queensland Theatre from 2018 to 2023 and is currently Executive Director of Queensland Youth Orchestras.

Amanda is the Chair of the Marketing & Development Subcommittee

Grace Loyden

Grace is the Dean of Learning & Teaching at St Laurence's College with a wealth of education experience. A recognised teacher in the field of English and Literature, Grace has held positions on the management committee of the English Teachers' Association of Queensland and has co-authored two textbooks. Her commitment to literature and arts education aligns with La Boite's mission to present bold new work and engage young people.

Grace is a member of the Marketing and Development Subcommittee

Sarah McAree

Sarah is a corporate and commercial lawyer. Her experience includes managing corporate and commercial transactions including drafting, negotiating and advising on commercial agreements, share and asset sales and investments and advising on corporate governance. Sarah is currently Senior Counsel at the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC).

Sarah is the Chair of Finance & Risk Subcommittee and Company Secretary

Lynn Rainbow-Reid

Lynn is the Chair of the Rainbow Reid Foundation at QUT, and a Trustee of the Queensland Museum Foundation. Lynn’s expertise extends to artistic development, corporate development, fundraising and philanthropy.

Lynn is a member of the Marketing & Development Subcommittee

Dr John Nicholas Saunders

John is a Lecturer at the Australian Catholic University’s National School of Education. He has extensive experience in education, having worked as a teacher, Head of Department, and Assistant Dean of Learning. From 2013 to 2020, he served as Director of Education and Community Partnerships at the Sydney Theatre Company. John is the President of the Australian Alliance of Associations in Education (AAAE), Chair of the National Advocates for Arts Education (NAAE), and a board member of Australian Plays Transform and Drama Australia.

John is a member of the Marketing and Development Subcommittee

Jessica Simpson

Jessica is the Global Head of Indigenous and Local Procurement at BHP. Jessica's expertise includes community development, communications, commercial and business acumen, and stakeholder engagement.

Jessica is a member of the Marketing and Development Subcommittee

Sarah Townsend

Sarah Townsend is a results-driven Business Manager at Story Bridge Adventure Climb, excelling in management, strategy, sales, marketing, negotiation, and partnerships. With expertise in business development and interior design, she enhances customer experience and drives growth. Passionate about adventure tourism, Sarah ensures unforgettable experiences and strengthens the brand’s market presence.

Sarah is a member of the Marketing & Development Subcommittee

#La Boite Theatre Senior Leadership Team

Courtney Stewart

Artistic Director & CEO

Courtney Stewart is an acclaimed director, dramaturg, actor and teaching artist with a deep passion for intercultural works and multicultural dramaturgies. She is the current Artistic Director and CEO of La Boite Theatre.

A proud Queenslander, Courtney started her professional career as an actor before honing her talents as an artistic leader, diversity advocate and change maker for some of the country’s most prolific companies and organisations including Sydney Theatre Company (as Directing Associate and Richard Wherrett Fellow), Belvoir and Contemporary Asian Australian Performance (as Artistic Associate).

Courtney was previously Chair of the Equity Diversity Committee, a delegate to the National Performers Committee, and a former board member for Contemporary Asian Australian Performance.

Courtney has worked on acclaimed productions such as Maxine Beneba Clarke’s The Hate Race, The Poison of Polygamy by Anchuli Felicia King Miss Peony, Top Coat, and Single Asian Female by Michelle Law.

Ian Prowse

Head of Business

Ian is an accomplished professional with over three decades of leadership experience across the commercial and not-for-profit sectors.

Having held multiple CEO positions, as well as Directorships and Company Secretarial roles, he brings a wealth of expertise in strategic and operational management. Commercially savvy and results-driven, Ian has a deep understanding of the key drivers for success.

He is passionate about fostering strong cultural relations and building high-performing teams. His leadership style is both strategic and hands-on, ensuring that organisations achieve their goals while maintaining a strong and inclusive workplace culture.

Ian also plays an active governance role, serving as a member of the Finance and Risk Subcommittee and Marketing and Development Subcommittee. His experience in financial oversight, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, positions him as a trusted advisor in guiding organisations toward sustainable growth and impact.

Jacqueline Bawtree

Head of Marketing & Audience Development

Jacqueline is a relationship manager and storyteller with extensive expertise in marketing, project management, and major event production.

With over 25 years of experience working in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, she has contributed to the creative industries, tourism, major sporting organisations, significant nonprofits, government, and the private sector.

She excels in strategy, creative development, sponsorship, and operations, creating meaningful connections and impact. She serves as a member of La Boite's Marketing and Development Board Subcommittee.

Jacqueline saw her first show at La Boite Theatre in 1997 and credits seeing A Beautiful Life (1998) at La Boite as a pivotal performance that opened her mind and shifted her perspective on another corner of the world.

#The Heart of La Boite Theatre

Senior Producer
Jess Bunz

Production Manager
Teegan Kranenburg

Workshop Manager
Andrew Mills

Technical Coordinator
George Pitt

Marketing Coordinator
Siluni Kumarapperuma

Graphic Designer
Ella Marschke

Venue & Operations Manager
Nick Seery

Venue & Ticketing Coordinator
Kathryn Collins

Company Accountant
Tim Hall (Bones Accounting)

Finance Officer
Julia Beckitt

Espresso Bar & Café Barista
Annabel Gilbert

Front of House Supervisors
Cassidy Cahill, Marie David, Sophia Harris, Claire Holland and Aimee Sheather

Front of House & Espresso Bar Staff
Will Carseldine, Courtney Cavallaro, Jo Craddy, Pierson Downey, Fletcher Dunn, Billy Fogarty, Emma Hanson, Peter Keavy, Peta Kishawi, Grace Lashbrook, Mia Lierich, Jiordie Lobwein, Harry Maynard, Georgia McKenzie, Sami Rety, Carys Walsh, Lily Williams, Grace Wilson, Presley Woods and Flynn Young

Technical Staff
Caleb Bartlett, Emma Burchell, Riley Camejo, Winter Chapman, Briana Clark, Tia-Hanee Cleary, Tim Gawne, Charlie Graham, Tommi Hirvonen, Erin O’Shea, Natalie Scott, Abigail Taylor, Sophie Watkins, Sam Gehrke, Kelsey Booth, Hamish Elliot, and Lachlan van der Kreek