Anne-Louise Sarks on Balancing Creativity and Leadership at Melbourne Theatre Company
Anne-Louise Sarks, CEO and Artistic Director of Melbourne Theatre Company, discusses how she sustains creativity while running a major cultural institution. She curates annual play programs and oversees the entire organization, from new play commissions to marketing campaigns and donor meetings. Sarks emphasizes that art and business are intertwined, with the stage work at the core. She carves out time for creative tasks like reading plays, often early morning or after her five-year-old is asleep. Her background in developing women-led stories informs her decision-making, but she now focuses more on audience connection. Being in the rehearsal room, directing or watching other artists, is a key priority. She notes a shift from dreaming as a freelancer to delivering as a leader, trusting her instincts and craft. For emerging theatre makers, she advises finding people who spark creativity and remembering that admin serves the art.
Key facts
- Anne-Louise Sarks is CEO and Artistic Director of Melbourne Theatre Company.
- She curates annual play programs and oversees the full organization.
- Her day includes conversations about new play commissions, long-term strategy, marketing campaigns, donor meetings, and set design collaboration.
- She intentionally carves out time for creative work, such as reading plays, often in the morning or after her child is in bed.
- Her early career focused on women-led stories.
- She prioritizes time in the rehearsal room, directing or watching other artists.
- She describes a shift from dreaming as a freelancer to delivering as a leader.
- Her advice to emerging theatre makers is to find people who energize them and remember that admin serves the art.
Entities
Artists
- Anne-Louise Sarks
Institutions
- Melbourne Theatre Company