THE HUNTERS
The Last Great Hunt is an internationally renowned, artist-led collective of five theatre makers: Gita Bezard, Adriane Daff, Jeffrey Jay Fowler, Arielle Gray and Tim Watts.
We are creators, innovators and above else, explorers. With each new theatre experience, we hunt for new ideas and new ways of connecting with our expanding audiences across Australia and the world. Joined by our Director, Operations Jac Low & Producer Georgia Landré-Ord, we create high quality, rigorous, relevant and entertaining original work. We make theatre on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja, honoring the rich traditions of storytelling that have been passed down through generations. Our shows feature an eclectic variety of forms, styles and experiences. We strive to give our audience an engaging, challenging and moving night out at the theatre.
We aim to be recognised as a sustainable, Boorloo/Perth-based global theatrical force, regularly creating acclaimed, invigorating, original work. We take a leadership role in the development of the arts in Perth, while offering opportunities, resources and development to our artists and staff.
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Adriane Daff is an actor, writer, theatre-maker and Core Artist of The Last Great Hunt. Adriane has studied at WAAPA, in New York City (Ward Meisner Studio) and in Paris (Ecole Philippe Gaulier).
Adriane has been working professionally for 20 years and that's a lot of shows, so here's some highlights: For TLGH Lé Nør [the rain] which was nominated for two 2019 Helpmann awards (including best new Australian work) and premiered at Perth Festival in 2019 as well as having a season in 2023 at The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts in Melbourne. The Irresistible, which was nominated for a Helpmann Award (best new play) and had seasons at Dark Mofo and the Sydney Opera House. Era of New Paradise for the Griffin Theatre’s Batch Festival, HYPERDREAM for Redline’s season at The Old Fitz and Young & Gorgeous for The Flying Nun by Brand X.
Outside of TLGH, Adriane’s first commission, an adaptation of The Cherry Orchard (co-written by Katherine Tonkin) was staged by Black Swan State Theatre Company and premiered at Perth Festival 2021. Adriane co-wrote the audio works Into the Jungle (DreamBig festival in Adelaide), The Turners (Sydney Writer’s Festival), and The Confidence Man (Arts House and Perth Theatre Company).
Adriane has most recently appeared in The Lost Boys presented by Little Eggs Collective and Seymour Centre, and idk for Force Majeure at Carriageworks (Sydney) and Arts House (Melbourne).
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Tim Watts is a performer, deviser, director, puppeteer, improvisor and animator from Perth, Western Australia. He is a founding member of The Last Great Hunt and a Sidney Myer Fellowship recipient. He has a passion for creating and performing original, imaginatively engaging theatrical experiences born from improvisation and experimentation. He has co-created and performed in a plethora of shows, some of which won awards and toured all over the world.
These include: The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer, It’s Dark Outside, BRUCE, Monroe and Associates, New Owner, The Irresistible, Stay With Us, Lé Nør [the rain], Whistleblower, and Cicada.
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Gita Bezard is a playwright, devisor, director and performer. She’s a founding member of The Last Great Hunt and mother to a tiny artist in the making.
For The Last Great Hunt: As a Writer/Director - Telephone, Perpetual Wake, The Talk, The Advisors, Yoshi's Castle & All That Glitters. As a co-devisor/performer -Whistleblower (Perth Festival, 2021), Lé Nør [the rain] (Perth Festival, 2019), Stay With Us, Minnie & Mona Play Dead (Fringe World 2013 Martin Sims Award for Best New WA Work; Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Brisbane International Festival) and Elephents.
In 2016 her play Girl Shut Your Mouth debuted at Black Swan State Theatre Company and was nominated for the Victorian Premier's Literary Award.
Playwriting Commissions - Bloody Paris (Black Swan State Theatre Company), The Paper Escaper (Terrapin Puppet Theatre), The Perfect Boy (Black Swan State Theatre Company, Lemon and In A Bony Embrace (Curtin University), Remarkable (WAAPA).
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JEFFREY JAY FOWLER is a playwright, dramaturg, director and actor. He wrote and acted in The Hypotheticals (winner NT Literature Award for Theatre), A History of Drinking, and ELEPHENTS (winner Performing Arts WA Best New Show). He has performed in and co-created FAG/STAG (winner Scotsman Fringe First 2017), BALI, The Advisors, Perpetual Wake, All That Glitters, and Lé Nør [the rain] with The Last Great Hunt, of which he is a founding artist. His other plays include Dick Pics in the Garden of Eden, Minnie and Mona Play Dead (Winner Martin Sims Award), Price Tag, The One (winner Blaz Award for Best New Writing), Second Hands, Hope is the saddest, Fish Out Of Water [drop dead], and Improvement Club.
Among the shows he has directed are Girl Shut Your Mouth, Blithe Spirit, The Eisteddfod (winner 2017 Performing Arts WA Best Director and Best Mainstage Play), and In The Next Room, or The Vibrator Play for Black Swan State Theatre Company.
Jeffrey Jay was Associate Director of Black Swan from 2014 to 2017, and then Director of New Writing for 2018 and 19. His postgraduate studies were in directing at NIDA in 2010.
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Arielle Gray (she/her) is a performer, theatre-maker, director, puppeteer and founding artist of The Last Great Hunt with a passion for creating and performing in inventive, original theatre.
Roles include – As adaptor/performer: Cicada (Barking Gecko), including at Sydney Theatre Company. As performer: Cloudstreet (Malthouse/Black Swan/Perth Festival), Picnic at Hanging Rock (Malthouse/Black Swan), including at the Barbican Centre, London.
For The Last Great Hunt - As co-creator and Director: Whistleblower (winner ‘Outstanding Direction of a Mainstage show’ Performing Arts WA Awards) and Stay With Us. As co-creator/performer: Night Night, Helpmann nominated Lé Nør [the rain]. Helpmann nominated New Owner, Telephone (winner ‘Outstanding contemporary/experimental performance’ Performing Arts WA awards) and Helpmann nominated It's Dark Outside (ArtsHub Critics’ Choice ‘Innovation’ Award). Shows that Arielle created have toured throughout Australia and the world.
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Former ninja, turned Producer known only by GLO
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Jacquelin studied Communications at Murdoch University before graduating from the WA Academy of Performing Arts (Acting). Prior to joining The Last Great Hunt, Jacquelin lived and worked in Naarm (Melbourne) where she held executive leadership roles across the Victorian arts sector. Jacquelin was the inaugural General Manager and Interim Director of Contemporary Arts Precincts where she was instrumental in developing the operational capacity of the organisation to redevelop the old Collingwood Tech site into Collingwood Yards.
Other executive roles include Acting CEO and Director of Operations of Regional Arts Victoria, and Acting Director and General Manager of Writers Victoria, Victoria's peak body for writing. Jacquelin has consulted for arts organisations specialising in budgeting, financial reporting and business development.
She is excited to be working with The Last Great Hunt, and contributing to the West Australian arts sector through her proactive inclusive practices, and contributing to positive workplace culture.
OUR BOARD
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Currently a board member of the WA Chamber of Arts and Culture and Deputy Chair of Art On The Move, Jim has had a long varied career in the arts.
Previously long-serving Director of Fremantle Arts Centre, Acting-CEO of PICA and Manager of the North Melbourne Town Hall Artshouse Jim has also worked as venue manager, producer, programmer, learning coordinator, artists' manager and agent as well as journalist and publicist.
He has a BA from Melbourne University and Advanced Diploma of Journalism from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.
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Kelly has worked in the not-for-profit sector for almost two decades managing events, fundraising campaigns, professional development and membership services, and communication and marketing campaigns.
From 2013 – 2022, Kelly helped build the Chamber of Arts and Culture WA into a professional membership body for WA's arts and culture sector – growing the membership, delivering events and services and providing executive support for the Board.
In her 9 years with the Chamber, Kelly developed strong networks within the arts community.
Kelly started a law firm with her partner in 2012 and manages the firm's financial and governance processes.
Kelly is a keen supporter of the arts and has watched The Last Great Hunt grow over the past 10 years into WA’s most exciting theatre company.
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Elliott Brannen is the Director of Tempo Tax and Accounting, a boutique accounting firm that specialises in the creative industries. He trained as a journalist and worked in media analysis for six years before turning to accounting, working in both Perth and Melbourne, before starting Tempo Tax and Accounting in 2016. A lifelong musician, he has played in bands that have won several music awards, including WA Song of the Year, has toured interstate and overseas, played festivals, and is still active in Perth’s live music scene to this day. He is the treasurer and life member of a community youth arts body, currently sits on the board of RTR-FM 92.1 Ltd and has served on both the Economic Development Committee and Audit and Governance Committee of the Town of Bassendean.
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Aimee Smith is an award winning choreographer and climate change professional working for 20 years at the intersection of these two fields. As a choreographer Aimee has created over 15 professional productions including Borderline, Wintering, Accidental Monsters of Meaning and The Futures Project, and has an extensive community arts and cultural exchange practice. She is inspired by the capacity of art and creative experiences to hold spaces for dialogue about the issues of our time, and to imagine the kind of future(s) we want to create. With a Masters in Sustainability and Climate Policy, Aimee has also worked as a climate change professional across government, business and academia. She has supported arts companies and festivals to develop and implement sustainability strategies and climate action plans, and co-founded Arts and Cultural Workers for Climate Action (ACWCA). She is a board member of WA Climate Leaders and previously served on the board of STRUT Dance.
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Gita Bezard is a playwright, devisor, director and performer. She’s a founding member of The Last Great Hunt and mother to a tiny artist in the making.
For The Last Great Hunt: As a Writer/Director - Telephone, Perpetual Wake, The Talk, The Advisors, Yoshi's Castle & All That Glitters. As a co-devisor/performer -Whistleblower (Perth Festival, 2021), Lé Nør [the rain] (Perth Festival, 2019), Stay With Us, Minnie & Mona Play Dead (Fringe World 2013 Martin Sims Award for Best New WA Work; Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Brisbane International Festival) and Elephents.
In 2016 her play Girl Shut Your Mouth debuted at Black Swan State Theatre Company and was nominated for the Victorian Premier's Literary Award.
Playwriting Commissions - Bloody Paris (Black Swan State Theatre Company), The Paper Escaper (Terrapin Puppet Theatre), The Perfect Boy (Black Swan State Theatre Company, Lemon and In A Bony Embrace (Curtin University), Remarkable (WAAPA).
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Julia Dobson is an Entrepreneur and Brand & Marketing Strategist who has worked internationally for some of the worlds most loved luxury brands.
Julia’s career in fashion includes working in Switzerland with Bally and London with various surf and skate brands. She completed an MBA in International Luxury Brand Management in Paris and joined the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy Group leading brands CELINE and then Acqua di Parma in the UK and Ireland. Julia launched her own leather-goods brand Village England, selling in boutiques and department stores across Europe, America, Canada and Australia. She sold the business to facilitate a move back home to Perth.
She brings a detailed understanding of brand design, development, communications, campaign strategies and leveraging coverage by using technology and creativity to ensure an extension of reach.
She returned to Perth with a husband and two sons and spends far too much time repeatedly asking them to put their shoes on.
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Tim Watts is a performer, deviser, director, puppeteer, improvisor and animator from Perth, Western Australia. He is a founding member of The Last Great Hunt and a Sidney Myer Fellowship recipient. He has a passion for creating and performing original, imaginatively engaging theatrical experiences born from improvisation and experimentation. He has co-created and performed in a plethora of shows, some of which won awards and toured all over the world.
These include: The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer, It’s Dark Outside, BRUCE, Monroe and Associates, New Owner, The Irresistible, Stay With Us, Lé Nør [the rain], Whistleblower, and Cicada.
OUR MISSION
A world enriched by theatre.
OUR PURPOSE
Empowering Artists and Audiences to connect through original, exciting theatre.
OUR REPORTS
Click through to read our reports here. 🤓
OUR VALUES
Creativity
Collaboration and process form the basis of everything we do.
Courage
We make bold moves - embracing the opportunity to learn from failure.
Access & Inclusion
Everyone is welcome to play with us. We strive to provide equitable access and opportunities to all; on and off stage.
Resilience
We are agile and proactive in adapting to the evolving needs of our society, audience, and artists.
Sustainability
People, art and the environment inspire our work. We tread lightly on the planet, and work, conscientiously to implement sustaintable work practices.