Andy Packer
Fullarton,South Australia
Summary
Multi-award winning Artistic Director and CEO driving artistic direction and strategic planning in the arts sector. Founded and led Slingsby Theatre Company to international recognition through 16 original productions and tours across 13 countries. Expertise in creative program design and event coordination, complemented by impactful freelance projects and record ticket sales at World of Wearable Art. Committed to enhancing immersive storytelling in global arts communities while advocating for sustainable practices.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/CEO, BOARD DIRECTOR
Slingsby Theatre Company Limited
Adelaide, South Australia
01.2007 - Current
- Development and delivery of the artistic program.
- Director for all productions and events.
- A celebrated ‘house aesthetic’ consistent across all branding and theatre productions.
- Led resource growth to establish a leading arts organisation from its founding.
- Managed stakeholder relationships with government, donors, corporate partners, presenters, and suppliers to enhance organisational support.
- Leadership in strategic planning and plan delivery.
- Developed and submitted funding applications to secure financial support for projects.
- Leadership role in recruitment and HR management.
- Adelaide-based theatre company Slingsby creates emotionally powerful storytelling that invites audiences of all ages into immersive theatrical realms. Slingsby's brim-full 15 year history has earnt the company an international reputation as a prominent and distinctive creative voice. Slingsby's productions are set in immersive spaces that extend pre- and post-show, and enhance the value of each work. Through in-schools touring, workshops, residencies and professional development programs, both in person and online, the company shares its proven creative process, and depth of skills and knowledge.
- 16 original productions have toured regionally, nationally and/or internationally, covering 13 countries.
- Toured to all states and territories in Australia, including 5 seasons at Sydney Opera House.
- 3 Ruby Awards, Victor Award (IPAY), Helpmann Award.
- Developed and delivered workshop and masterclass series to enhance community engagement and professional development.
- Keynote speeches (Shanghai, Dublin, Philadelphia, Adelaide, Darwin).
- Repeat invitations to prestigious venues including in New York, Edinburgh, Dublin and Shanghai.
- Slingsby Green Touring Policy, working towards net Climate Positive impact.
EVENT DIRECTOR
freelance
Adelaide, South Australia
01.2001 - 05.2026
- Major events, theatre, opera, cabaret, music theatre and symphonic concerts. For these projects, as a 'creative director for hire’ contractor, I have led all creative artists, collaborated with programming, production and marketing and liaised with key stakeholders.
- Highlight projects include:
- 2026: Australian Tourism Exchange 2026 – SA Showcase Event (Adelaide Oval)
- 2021: Event: State Dinner to Farewell former Governor Hieu Van Le and Mrs Le
- 2020: Event: A Right Royal Affair – opening of refurbished Her Majesty’s Theatre
- 2019: Adelaide Chamber Singers: Re:Imagine
- 2017: Voices of Christmas (10 day event), Rundle Mall Management Authority, International Astronautical Congress Opening Event, International Astronautical Association, Adelaide Fringe Sponsors Gala, Adelaide Fringe Inc (2015 & 2017), Vigil, by Steve Vizard & Joe Chindamo for Adelaide Cabaret Festival (Adelaide/Melbourne)
- 2016: The Last Galah, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, BeMused – Class of Cabaret, Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Love Songs for Sir Les (Barry Humphries), Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Festival Variety Gala, Adelaide Cabaret Festival (2013-2016), Red Cross Letters, State Theatre Company of South Australia, Christmas Proms, Adelaide Festival Centre (2014-16)
- 2015: The Front – the musical, Up Front Productions and Adelaide Cabaret Festival, ASO Does Disco, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra
- 2014: Innocence (new opera 4x developments), Singular Productions and State Opera of SA, Adelaide Oval 1st Home Game on Ground Entertainment, Adelaide Football Club, Monteverdi’s Book IV, Adelaide Chamber Singers
- 2013: You, Me & The Bloody Sea, Mumpsimus and Adelaide Cabaret Festival, La Forza del Destino, (Asst Director) State Opera of SA, Hopes Passion, Adelaide Vocal Project and State Opera of SA
- 2012: Brothers, Angels and Demons (The Angels), Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, Adelaide Festival
- 2008: The Composer is Dead/Grandpa, Windmill Performing Arts and ASO, Bastien und Bastienna / La Voix Humaine, State Opera of SA
- 2003: Singing of Angels, Restless Dance, Tutti Ensemble, Come Out Festival
- 2001: Parsifal, (Asst Director) State Opera of SA, Cosi Fan Tutte, Co-Opera
SHOW DIRECTOR
World of Wearable Art
Wellington
03.2018 - 09.2019
- Awards Show concept / creative world.
- Show storyboard in collaboration with Show Designer.
- Liaised with Head of Show Production and creatives to ensure seamless development, construction, and delivery of all show elements, including staging, set, costumes, fly systems, rigging, AV, lighting, music, and choreography.
- Led creative team including Show Designer, Choreographic Director, Music Director, AV Director, Lighting Designer.
- Led all rehearsals together with Choreographic Director.
- Leadership of all company members including dancers, aerialists, acrobats, models, parkour team, models, dressers, volunteers.
- Collaborated with Production and Stage Management to uphold safety protocols for over 300 company members.
- Delivered 30-performance season in a 3,500 seat arena.
- Achieved record ticket sales during the season, driven by positive word of mouth.
- For over 30 years, World of WearableArt (WOW) has brought the worlds of art, design and fashion together into theatrical performance. The WOW Awards Competition attracts entrants from more than 40 countries, with designers creating extraordinary works of wearable art that are brought to life on stage in the annual WOW Awards Show in Wellington, in front of an audience of 60,000 people.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Come Out Festival
Adelaide, South Australia
06.2009 - 05.2011
FRINGE FAMILY MAN (Creative Director Curated Family Events)
Adelaide Fringe Inc.
Adelaide, South Australia
07.2006 - 05.2008
CREATIVE PRODUCER, PROGRAMMING (Head of Programming)
Carclew Youth Arts
Adelaide, South Australia
04.2003 - 07.2006
PROGRAM MANAGER
Come Out Festival
Adelaide, South Australia
04.2002 - 04.2003
COORDINATOR, YOUTH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM
Adelaide Fringe
Adelaide, South Australia
09.2001 - 04.2002
Education
Leading and Managing People -
PACE
Australia09-2021
Governance for Directors -
Australian Institute for Company Directors
Australia01-2012
BA - Theatre Studies
University of Adelaide
Australia01-1992
Skills
- Artistic direction
- Creative program design
- Budget management over $3M
- Strategic planning
- Team building and training
- Mentorship
- Event coordination
- Business administration and operations management
- HR management
- Financial systems management
- Risk assessment
- Talent development
- Communication skills
- Cross-cultural communication
- Networking
- Public speaking
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Flexibility
- Emotional intelligence
- Leadership excellence
- Responsibility
Custom
- Creative Director/Executive Director, Come Out Festival 2011, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 2009-06-01, 2011-05-01
- Fringe Family Man (Creative Director Curated Family Events), Adelaide Fringe Inc., Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 2006-07-01, 2008-05-01
- Creative Producer, Programming (Head of Programming), Carclew Youth Arts, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 2003-04-01, 2006-07-01
- Program Manager, Come Out Festival 2006, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 2002-04-01, 2003-04-01
- Coordinator, Youth and Education Program, Adelaide Fringe 2002, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 2001-09-01, 2002-04-01
Timeline
SHOW DIRECTOR
World of Wearable Art
03.2018 - 09.2019
CREATIVE DIRECTOR/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Come Out Festival
06.2009 - 05.2011
FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/CEO, BOARD DIRECTOR
Slingsby Theatre Company Limited
01.2007 - Current
FRINGE FAMILY MAN (Creative Director Curated Family Events)
Adelaide Fringe Inc.
07.2006 - 05.2008
CREATIVE PRODUCER, PROGRAMMING (Head of Programming)
Carclew Youth Arts
04.2003 - 07.2006
PROGRAM MANAGER
Come Out Festival
04.2002 - 04.2003
COORDINATOR, YOUTH AND EDUCATION PROGRAM
Adelaide Fringe
09.2001 - 04.2002
EVENT DIRECTOR
freelance
01.2001 - 05.2026
Leading and Managing People -
PACE
Governance for Directors -
Australian Institute for Company Directors
BA - Theatre Studies
University of Adelaide