Westside Circus appoints Sue Broadway as Artistic Director and Simon Clarke as CEO

Westside Circus is excited to announce the appointment of Sue Broadway as the new Artistic Director. In this part-time role Sue will continue to pursue her other projects and bring back to Westside Circus a new dynamic with her wealth of experience in circus and physical theatre.  This is a great opportunity for Sue to bring fresh artistic leadership to Westside Circus which has been established since 1996.

Sue has been working professionally for over thirty years in circus and physical theatre. Sue performed and directed all over the world until 1992, when she returned to Australia as Artistic Director of Circus Oz. She has been a recipient of an Australia Council Fellowship and a member of the Theatre Board from 2009 to 2011.  From 2006 to 2012 she was Chair of the Australian Circus and Physical Theatre Association.

Sue was the Circus Director for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Sydney Olympic Games and of the Doha Asian Games and Associate Producer – Circus and Street Events at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. As Artistic Director of Strange Fruit (2007 to 2010) she created Ringing the Changes for the Melbourne International Arts Festival and initiated a collaborative relationship with disabled theatre company Graeae in the U.K.  Sue is currently directing the Moomba Parade for the fourth consecutive year, consulting on the Moon Lantern Festival in Adelaide and has recently completed two projects in the UK working with young and emerging dancers and acrobats.

Lena Cirillo the current CEO will be on maternity leave from 2013.  Lena’s passion and commitment in taking Westside Circus to the next level by relocating the organisation to its new home in Brunswick and developing its community engagement programs, has made a significant difference to the organisation. Simon Clarke has been appointed as the new CEO while Lena begins her journey as a mother.

Simon has been working in theatre with a focus on young and emerging artists and youth audiences, for almost twenty years.  He has produced, directed and performed numerous independent shows and worked with companies such as Jigsaw Theatre, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre and Black Swan Theatre Company. In 2007 he was appointed CEO/Artistic Director of Southern Edge Arts in WA, a company working in theatre, dance and circus. He was elected to the Board of Country Arts WA in 2009 and was appointed vice chair in 2010. He chaired the WA Regional Arts Fund Panel and Country Arts WA's Regional Arts Development Panel.  In 2011 he joined the Board of Young People and the Arts Australia. Simon will lead the organisation with this strong foundation and a depth of experience that will add value to the next stage of Westside Circus development as a dynamic arts organisation focusing on work with and for young people.

“It’s an exciting time for Westside Circus, where great work and meaningful programs are being delivered to our diverse community.  Sue’s appointment affirms our commitment to creating high quality programs and performance through circus arts. Simon has a wealth of skills and knowledge and will lead the organisation through our next exciting phase” says Lena Cirillo, the current CEO of Westside Circus.

About Westside Circus:

Westside Circus is a ‘social circus’ providing programs that help young people build confidence, promote personal wellbeing and create positive relationships both with peers and the community through Circus Arts.  Westside Circus programs are dedicated to introducing young people from diverse social, economic and cultural backgrounds to the fun and benefits of circus and physical theatre. www.westsidecircus.org.au

MORE INFO: Sue Broadway will be available for interviews and photo opportunities after 23 October or by appointment phone interview. For all media enquiries and image requests, please contact Lena Cirillo on 03 9383 2299 or execdirector@westsidecircus.org.au