Page 2558 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 31 July 2019
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is recovering from surgery, it is great to welcome his wife, Karen, and his son Angus to the chamber along with some of his many colleagues.
Bruce has been with the Canberra Theatre Centre for a total of 34 years, starting as a mechanist before providing production management for three National Festivals of Australian Theatre under the artistic direction of Robyn Archer. He moved on to become the centre’s production manager and then the operations manager, a position where he played a key role in the development of the Playhouse, now celebrated as one of the nation’s finest venues of its size. Bruce became the director of the centre 12 years ago in 2007.
By working in so many of the key jobs in a major performing arts centre Bruce developed a profound understanding of how theatre works. In doing so he has gained enormous recognition and respect from his peers in the industry. As the Director of the Canberra Theatre Centre Bruce has overseen a major increase in patron numbers and income levels.
Through his leadership and his vision the centre’s programing has retained its reputation for high quality drama and dance and has also extended into a greater focus on comedy, contemporary music and major commercial productions, like the musical Mamma Mia, which premiered its national tour in Canberra in 2017. This wider range of programing has had a direct beneficial impact on the night-time economy of Civic and Canberra’s economy more generally. Indeed, the Canberra Theatre Centre’s contribution to the ACT economy is now estimated at $30 million each year.
Bruce’s focus has not just been on bringing major commercial shows to Canberra. Under his leadership, the Canberra Theatre Centre has supported local theatre companies, directors and choreographers. It has increased its focus on making theatre relevant and accessible to everyone in the community, and it has placed particular emphasis on education and training, including through developing a new certificate course in theatre technical training.
In the director role Bruce has served on a number of regional, national and international bodies, such as being a board member for South East Arts, an executive councillor for Live Performance Australia and an executive member of the Australian Performing Arts Centres Association and the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres. These roles demonstrate the high regard in which Bruce is held throughout the theatre industry.
Bruce’s contribution to the performing arts is recognised locally, nationally and internationally. But in terms of the legacy he leaves for Canberra, Bruce’s work to raise the profile and status of the Canberra Theatre Centre to where it is today has been critical in building the case for a major new theatre for the future. I thank and congratulate Bruce for his generous and extensive legacy that he leaves in Canberra and far beyond as well. I wish him and his family the best for the future.
MADAM SPEAKER: With a level of indulgence, I pass on warm wishes and regards to Bruce and his family. I am sure that many members have attended the Canberra Theatre Centre and have benefited from his vision and legacy. Thank you.
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