Back to Back Theatre co-chief to step down

ONE of the region’s most celebrated cultural exports is on the hunt for a new chief executive officer, as its current chief prepares to depart the company later this year.

Back to Back Theatre’s co-CEO and executive producer of four years, Tim Stitz, has announced his intention to leave the theatre company in mid-2025.

The decision follows the appointment of his partner Petra Kalive to the position of artistic director and co-CEO of the State Theatre Company of South Australia (STCSA), with Mr Stitz and his family to move to Adelaide.

In a statement, the company said his mid-year departure would allow sufficient time to support “a smooth transition”, which will include the recruitment of Mr Stitz’s replacement and the delivery of several planned projects.

A passionate advocate for access, inclusion and representation in the creative industries, Mr Stitz has served as Back to Back Theatre’s co-chief and executive producer since August 2020.

Last year, Back to Back Theatre became the first Australian company to win the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre at the prestigious cultural festival, the Venice Biennale. Photo: FACEBOOK/JEFF BUSBY

Acting board chair Yoni Prior said, in that time, Mr Stitz and co-CEO Bruce Gladwin had seen the company through a period of great achievement and tumult.

“For the past four years, Back to Back has been exceptionally fortunate to have Tim in the role of co-CEO.

“During Tim’s tenure the company has successfully joined the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework, expanded its screen operations, resumed touring to national and international destinations – most recently Venice, Shanghai and Los Angeles, representing broad re-engagement with Asia, Europe and North America – and supported the development of various new works and wider community engagement.

“We are immensely grateful to Tim for his time with Back to Back.”

Recognised as an Australian theatre company of national and international significance, Back to Back Theatre is driven by an ensemble of actors who identify as having an intellectual disability or as neurodivergent.

Last year, it became the first Australian company to win the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre at the prestigious cultural festival, the Venice Biennale, and in 2022 was awarded the International Ibsen Award, an accolade considered by many to be the Nobel Prize of theatre.

The company recently finished filming its forthcoming project CARDBOARD, a short film that tells the story of a group of workers at a fulfilment centre who, while dressed in cardboard suits of armour, re-enact the Battle of Agincourt. Photo: FACEBOOK/JEFF BUSBY

Back to Back Theatre co-chief Bruce Gladwin said Mr Stitz’s skills had brought a great deal of comfort and stability to the theatre company’s staff and helped to create a healthy and vibrant team.

“As my co-CEO for the last four years, Tim has expertly managed the company through COVID lockdowns and the unknown territory of re-establishing business as usual,” Mr Gladwin said.

“I’m sad to see Tim go but congratulate him in supporting Petra’s career.”

Mr Stitz said working at Back to Back Theatre had been one of the greatest highlights of his career.

“The quality of the company’s work is unparalleled, and I continue to marvel at the rigour and ingenuity the ensemble, Bruce and wider group of creatives and collaborators bring to the work.

“I’m immensely grateful for the Back to Back staff and board, and am honoured to have worked with such a committed, talented and full-of-heart team.”