Leading Australian contemporary dance company Lucy Guerin Inc (LGI) has announced the departure of Executive Producer & Deputy CEO Brendan O’Connell after nearly four years at the Melbourne-based organisation.
Brendan was appointed Executive Producer in July 2020, and promoted to Deputy CEO in November 2022. During his tenure he has led the planning and delivery of the Company’s strategic, business, and artistic objectives alongside Artistic Director & CEO Lucy Guerin AO.
Brendan said: “I am enormously proud of my time at Lucy Guerin Inc. It has been a great professional and personal privilege to work with the inimitable Lucy Guerin, the hard-working staff, and our supportive Board of Directors. I remain awestruck at the breadth of talent and experimentation throughout the Victorian dance community, and will genuinely miss being a part of the extraordinary creativity that is nurtured by the Company at WXYZ Studios. I look forward to continue following the careers and successes of the many dance artists and creative collaborators who do so much to stimulate this state’s culture.”
Brendan’s achievements at LGI include planning and delivering the Company’s 21st anniversary program (including the world premiere sell-out season of NEWRETRO at ACCA); energising and refocusing its international engagement strategy; forging new relationships and nurturing existing partnerships across artistic, government, philanthropic, and corporate stakeholders; overseeing the coordination and disbursement of $1.5 million in artist fellowships via the Chloe Munro Bequest; securing multi-year investment from Creative Australia through 2028; and brokering tours to some of the world’s leading festivals and venues (including Venice’s Biennale Danza, Chaillot - Théâtre national de la Danse in Paris, and Seoul International Dance Festival).
Lucy Guerin, LGI’s Artistic Director & CEO, said: “Brendan has made a remarkable contribution to Lucy Guerin Inc during his time with us. His drive, hard work and dedication have enabled the Company to flourish in the comeback from COVID and he leaves us with great plans for the future. He has generously supported me as an artist while impressively tackling the infinite roles required for running a small company. We will miss him not only for his professional skills but for his kindness, positive approach, energy and sense of fun. A huge thank you to Bren and we wish him every success in his new position.”
Brendan has accepted an offer to join Sydney Dance Company in the newly created role of Director, Programming; his last day with LGI is 22 March 2024. The Company has now commenced recruitment for its next Executive Producer - more details here.