Leading Australian contemporary dance company Lucy Guerin Inc (LGI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ally Harvey as the Melbourne-based organisation’s next Executive Producer & Deputy CEO.
Ally is a respected figure in the arts industry, with over three decades of expertise in delivering national and international projects across various artistic disciplines, including theatre, dance, music, and large-scale events. With a keen eye for detail and a penchant for innovation, she has spearheaded a diverse range of theatre projects and festivals while working with stellar organisations including RISING and Back to Back Theatre, and currently serves as the Chair of Platforming Arts while also pursuing a Masters in Leadership.
Ally said: “I am incredibly inspired by LGI’s mission and the innovative work it produces. The Company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance and its dedication to supporting emerging and established artists resonate deeply with me. I’m excited to join the team and community of artistic collaborators in creating industry pathways and presenting outstanding dance works.”
Having begun her career in technical theatre with notable stints touring internationally with The Royal Shakespeare Company and Sir Peter Hall, Ally’s career path evolved to focus on producing community-driven initiatives such as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the XVII Commonwealth Games, and the inaugural New Year’s Eve celebrations on the London Eye. These experiences provided firsthand insight into the impact of collaborative creative practice via genuine community engagement, deeply shaping her commitment to ensuring her work resonates authentically with diverse audiences.
Lucy Guerin, Artistic Director & CEO, said: “We’re thrilled that Ally is joining LGI as its next Executive Producer and Deputy CEO. Her commitment to supporting artists throughout the development process, her rich history of producing work across varying scales, and her passion for contemporary performance all made her a stand-out candidate in a competitive field. The team and I are looking forward to Ally starting in mid-April, and beginning to shape the next steps for the Company together.”
With a re-energised international engagement strategy (which has seen tours to Venice Biennale, Seoul International Dance Festival, and Chaillot - Théâtre national de la Danse across the past 9 months), the success of the Company’s 21st anniversary celebrations in 2023 (including the world premiere sell-out season of NEWRETRO at ACCA), securing multi-year Creative Australia funding through 2028, and the recent announcement of receiving the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award (Group Award: $90,000), LGI is in an incredibly strong position, strategically and financially, providing a heathy framework for the years ahead.
Ally commences on Monday 15 April, following the conclusion of her contract at RISING. Ally fills the vacancy left by outgoing Executive Producer and Deputy CEO Brendan O’Connell, who has been with the Company since July 2020; Brendan is joining Sydney Dance Company in April, as Director of Programming.