The Blue Room (a trading name of the Performing Arts Centre Society), WA’s hub for independent theatre, got a new Executive Director on September 1 as it farewelled the organisation’s leader of ten years, Jansis O’Hanlon.

New ED Louise Coles comes to The Blue Room from over 20 years working in the performing arts sector in the UK, after spending her formative years here in Perth. Coles says she’s delighted to return to the city and country she has continued to have a love affair with for 30 years.

“I’m relishing the opportunity to make a contribution to Australia’s performing arts world,” said Coles. “I see The Blue Room as having a fundamental and continuing role in the development of emerging artists from WA at a local, national and international level.”

Louise Coles’ career began managing a small fringe theatre in London. Since then her wide ranging experience has included forming her own theatre company (Kazzum); co-directing The International Workshop Festival, an annual festival of professional development for performing artists; and strategic development for two major venues, The Lyric Theatre and Rose Theatre, in London. Coles has worked at a senior level in the performing arts as a producer and arts manager, she is highly skilled and has extensive experience in program development; strategic planning; organisational development and fundraising; venue and touring company management; financial and project management. Most recently, Coles was the Administrative Director of high profile UK theatre company Hoipolloi, which tours new and original work in the UK and internationally, including recently to Australia.

The Blue Room is pleased to welcome Louise back to Perth, confident that she will make an outstanding and unique contribution not only to The Blue Room, but to the wider performing arts sector in Western Australia and nationally.