Glenn Hayden
Artistic Director

Following graduation from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in ‘86 Glenn remained in WA working as an actor and advocate for the performing arts industry. In 97’ he instigated the establishment of the WA Performing Arts Society and Blueroom Theatre; both still surviving strongly as award winning arts organisations. During this time he worked with most WA theatre companies performing in theatre and film from Shakespeare to Williamson, children’s theatre to musicals and touring the state extensively. He also established Comedy Ink an agency for comedy and cabaret artists and producer of 5 comedy rooms in the Perth metropolitan area. Favoured rolls during this period include Feste in Twelfth Night, the removalist in The Removalists, Snoopy in Snoopy the Musical, Mr Withers in Jack Davis' Mourli and The leprechaun, Cliff in Cabaret and Uncle Nee in Dorothy Hewett's childrens classic Golden Valley.

Glenn relocated to Melbourne in 1993 with an invitation to direct a La Mamma production ‘Made in Spain’ for the Melb International Comedy Festival. He continued to develop his directing skills working as assistant director to Suzi Dee on several Melbourne Workers Theatre projects, notably, the award winning Tower of Light for the Melbourne International Festival of Arts. It was during this period that Glenn developed ‘Creating Theatre’ with Sydney theatre company Theatre Ink and directed several large-scale community arts projects working with young people including Living in a Wedgy and Faith -the musical. Although not performing as much Glenn was still treading the boards occasionally: Little City the award winning choral play by Ireni Vela and John Romeril, Last Shout with the late and great Linda Gibson and the dubious honor of a regular role in the 70’s cop show spoof Funky Squad.

In 2000 Glenn returned to WA as Artistic Director of the Fremantle Festival, a community arts festival hosting over 300 arts events and attracting over twenty thousand visitors to the city. As part of the festival he directed the opening ceremony instilling over two hundred performers and community artists in a revegitated parkland and lake. He continued to work for Fremantle City Council as a freelancer developing several community arts programs.

Between 2000 and 2004 Glenn remained busy in WA. With support from deckchair theatre he produced and directed the youth projects: We are Family and Prayer to an Iron God, both developing into professional main-house seasons and state tours. He also worked with deckchair theatre as their Associate Director on two Shakespeare in the Park seasons (Romeo and Juliet, Midsummer Nights Dream), the development and direction of workplace theatre in partnership with ALCOA, and large scale events for the company including the pre-show entertainment for the Dockers home matches, the closing event of the Johnnie Walker Golf Classic, the opening event for the International Rotary Convention and the 150th celebration for His Majesty’s Theatre. During this time he also operated as a freelance artist outside of the company.

Between 2001 and 2004, Glenn also developed and directed two major theatre events, Exile and House, for DADAA (disability in the arts disadvantage in the arts Australia)WA's biannual Arts Festivals. Other projects with DADAA included: ‘Family of Choice/Family of Origin’ with the WA Justice Department, ongoing theatre workshops in Midland WA, various training facilitation throughout Australia, the development period of Proper Shoes (recently picked up by ABC Radio National) and the Artistic Directorship of the UnHiding Festival, created with people experiencing disabilities in the Great Southern Region of WA and based in Albany WA.

Glenn also took up a three-month residency in Denmark WA to Artistic Direct the Brave New Works Festival, an annual ten-day festival showcasing artists of the area.

In August 2004, Glenn took up the position of Artistic Director with Urban Myth Theatre of Youth in Adelaide South Australia. Since joining the company he has directed My Sister Violet at the SPACE Theatre, the smash hit outdoor production of Midsummer Night's Dream, Prayer to an Iron God, Curfew for the ASSITEJ International Congress, Romeo and Juliet in the park and most recently Out of the Boot 'X'..

Glenn has sat on many boards and committees for arts organisation including: Country Arts WA (Touring Panel, Regional Arts Panel, Deputy Chair), WA Actors Equity, WA Actors Centre (Steering Committee, Management Committee), melbourne workers theatre (Arts Advisory Committee, Management Committee), various youth activated committees, project advisory groups.