Meet the Adelaide Festival production staff
The often unseen heroes of the Adelaide Festival are the production crew. In recent years, more women have been drawn to the industry (which has experienced staff shortages post-Covid). CityMag goes backstage with the women making the Adelaide Festival possible to chat about the shows they’re working on and misconceptions of the field.
Leisa ‘Skato’ Gosling
Leisa is an Adelaide Festival production coordinator. She has worked in the industry for eight years.
CM: What events are you working on this festival season?
I’ve got a couple with Adelaide Festival this year but the big ones are Mass Movement and our new Festival hub, The Courtyard. As a production coordinator, my job is very often about toilets, fences and containers! Basically, I need to organise everything we need to build a fantastic outdoor experience.
What’s a misconception about your industry that you’d like to debunk?
I think lots of people don’t fully understand exactly what it is we do and assume it’s lots of swanning about with artists and watching shows. For production crew, it’s late nights, physical work and long, hot days. The end result and the camaraderie with your crew makes it all worthwhile… Then we might swan about and watch some fantastic shows.
What’s your favourite festival memory or stand-out show?
I think a stand-out gig was Grace Jones in Elder Park. What a powerhouse. That was a really satisfying gig to be a part of and the show was phenomenal.
What advice do you have for young women considering a career path in production?
It’s a great time to get into the industry. Lots of talented people switched careers during Covid when the work disappeared but we’re back in full force now and there are plenty of awesome opportunities. I think the last few years have really seen lots of capable women out there absolutely killing it.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
I love the variety; no job is the same. I love the physicality once we hit site and need to make sure big things happen in a short amount of time and I’ve been very lucky to work with fantastic people across Australia.
Kerry Ireland
Kerry is a production coordinator with Adelaide Festival and has worked in the industry for 30 years.
Briefly describe your role as production coordinator.
I coordinate the technical and crewing requirements for all the shows going into the Festival Centre.
What event are you working on this festival season?
All shows in the Festival Theatre, Dunstan Playhouse and Space Theatre.
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What show are you most looking forward to this festival season?
All the shows look great but I’m really looking forward to Fallen from Heaven and Club Amour.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
The people I get to work with.
What’s a misconception about women in production that you’d like to debunk?
Women can do everything the men can do.
What advice do you have for young women considering a career path in production?
Enjoy the ride!
Jacinta Way
Jacinta has been working in production for about nine years.
What event are you working on this festival season?
All shows in Her Majesty’s Theatre during festival season.
What does your role involve?
Liaising between incoming companies to ensure all of the right information has been passed on and planning, bookings, schedules etc are complete to assist the smooth running of the show seasons on ground.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
To meet and work with companies from all over Australia and the world. It’s so interesting learning from them about how they do things in comparison to us while also putting on amazing shows.
What’s a misconception about your industry that you’d like to debunk?
A common misconception is that production roles that are onsite are best suited to a certain type of person, often people that are physically stronger or over-experienced. In reality, success in production comes down to problem-solving, organisation and adaptability, not just physical ability and experience. The industry thrives when there are diverse perspectives and skills.
What advice do you have for young women considering a career path in production?
Seek out hands-on experience wherever you can – whether through internships, volunteering, or shadowing professionals – because practical knowledge is invaluable. Don’t be afraid to take up space.
What is your favourite festival memory?
My favourite festival memory was the opening of Groundswell (a large interactive art installation in Rundle Mall, part of the 2022 Adelaide Festival Season). Getting to see it in operation with lines of people around made the troubles we had during installation all worth it. Smiled all day.
Taren Hornhardt
Taren is head of production for the Adelaide Festival and has been working in the industry since 2003.
What event are you working on this festival season?
As Head of Production, I work across all projects in the Adelaide Festival, as well as forward planning future festivals.
Briefly, what does your role as head of production involve?
My role is to ultimately ensure that we deliver the vision of the Festival’s Artistic Director. I work with performance companies from around the world, planning and preparing for months or sometimes years in advance, to be able to deliver on their requirements to be a part of the Adelaide Festival each year. I lead a team of people that make the magic happen backstage or onsite – ensuring the freight arrives on time, the set gets built, lights focused, toilets are in position, security in place, and the curtain goes up on opening night.
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How long have you been involved with the Adelaide Festival?
My first Adelaide Festival was in 2004.
What’s your favourite festival memory?
The festival has been part of my world for almost half my life, so I have many favourite memories (and some not so favourite ones)! The Festival Club is always a big thing to look back on and appreciate all the blood, sweat and tears that went into getting it from design phase to having it thriving with patrons. My favourite would still have to be [pop-up nightspot] Lola’s Pergola in 2014.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
Each year’s program adds a whole new set of challenges for us to consider and solve.
What’s a misconception about women in production that you’d like to debunk?
I have had the absolute pleasure of working with amazing women in production over the course of my career. It really is an industry where women can step into any role given the opportunity.
What advice do you have for young women considering a career path in production?
Do it! Working in production is very rewarding and Adelaide has a thriving arts and entertainment industry. The hours are long, the challenges are many – but the results are definitely rewarding.
Tahlia Greco
Tahlia is a production coordinator and has been working in the industry since 2018.
What event are you working on this festival season?
Adelaide Writers’ Week.
Briefly, what does your role involve?
Overseeing and booking suppliers for large-scale outdoor event builds, as well as liaising with important stakeholders and invited authors.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
Every day is different and there is always something new to tackle or learn!
What’s a misconception about your industry or about women in production that you’d like to debunk?
That a job in the arts is easy! It is a lot more than just “planning a party” energy! It is being able to hold your ground when you need, and admit when you were wrong to learn how to do things better. You have to be able to adapt quickly and think on your feet, but also be empathetic and understanding.
What advice do you have for young women considering a career path in production?
Give everything a go! The more experience the better, it shows you’re keen to learn and grow!
What’s your favourite festival memory?
2022 Adelaide Festival had the installation Groundswell. It was one of the first times I’d gotten out on-site and actually deep-dived into helping fix, troubleshoot and manage issues. I learnt so much and it gave me such a taste for what was to come.
Samantha Bruinewoud
Samantha has been working in the production industry for about 10 years.
What event are you working on this festival season?
Adelaide Writers’ Week
Briefly, what does your role involve?
I’m the site coordinator, I’m the point of contact for all our infrastructure suppliers and I run the team that builds our site.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
Working in a team, seeing people’s different skills shine and make things greater than the sum of their parts.
What’s a misconception about your industry that you’d like to debunk?
A common misconception is that it’s all fun and games. The hours can be long and the job can be tough, but it’s very rewarding.
What advice do you have for young women considering a career path in production?
When I started I was hesitant to put my hand up for things and was kind of waiting for permission to step up. My advice is very boring and it’s to get out there, meet people, and put your hand up for things even if you’re nervous.
What’s a show you’re most looking forward to this festival season?
The show I’m most looking forward to is Standing Room Only that’s part of The Adelaide Fringe program. It’s a variety show by a young producer from Hobart.
But if I have to say an AF show: The show I’m most looking forward to is Writers’ Week of course!
The Adelaide Festival is running from February 28 – March 16. View their full program online.
SÜK is a women-led workwear brand based on Wurundjeri land. They are one of the sponsors of the Adelaide Festival and deck out their production team.