JUTE appoints Executive Artistic Director
June 3, 2025
The Board of JUTE Theatre Company is delighted to welcome acclaimed theatre maker, director, and arts leader Chris Kohn as its new Executive Artistic Director
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@ jute_theatre . Jun 3
The Board of JUTE Theatre Company is delighted to welcome acclaimed theatre maker, director, and arts leader Chris Kohn as its new Executive Artistic Director following the retirement of co-founder, Artistic Director and CEO, Suellen Maunder.
Kohn’s appointment follows an extensive national search and marks the beginning of a new chapter for the company, with the formal handover scheduled later this month.
Kohn brings more than two decades of experience across Australia’s arts and cultural sectors. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts in Directing, Kohn is recognised for his visionary approach to contemporary theatre and commitment to collaboration, inclusion, and regional storytelling.
Head to our website for the full story (link in bio).
The Board of JUTE Theatre Company is delighted to welcome acclaimed theatre maker, director, and arts leader Chris Kohn as its new Executive Artistic Director following the retirement of co-founder, Artistic Director and CEO, Suellen Maunder.
Kohn’s appointment follows an extensive national search and marks the beginning of a new chapter for the company, with the formal handover scheduled later this month.
Kohn brings more than two decades of experience across Australia’s arts and cultural sectors. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts in Directing, Kohn is recognised for his visionary approach to contemporary theatre and commitment to collaboration, inclusion, and regional storytelling.
Head to our website for the full story (link in bio).
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@ jute_theatre . Jun 2
With the Creative Development of Hunters underway this morning, playwright Michael Sams and director Amber Grossmann (pictured) set the stage for a blistering three-hander that tears open the legacy of masculinity, violence, and buried trauma in one freezing night at a remote hunter’s cabin.
Three generations of men—grandfather, father, and son—circle each other with liquor, memory, and a loaded rifle in reach. What begins as a bonding trip becomes a pressure cooker of truths, confrontation, and survival. Raw, gripping, and darkly funny, Hunters is a bullet aiming straight for the heart.
This Creative Development Showcase offers audiences a unique opportunity to experience the work-in-progress and engage with the creative team as they shape this compelling new Australian drama.
Tickets to the showcase are only $10. To book:
https://events.humanitix.com/hunters-creative-development-showcase
With the Creative Development of Hunters underway this morning, playwright Michael Sams and director Amber Grossmann (pictured) set the stage for a blistering three-hander that tears open the legacy of masculinity, violence, and buried trauma in one freezing night at a remote hunter’s cabin.
Three generations of men—grandfather, father, and son—circle each other with liquor, memory, and a loaded rifle in reach. What begins as a bonding trip becomes a pressure cooker of truths, confrontation, and survival. Raw, gripping, and darkly funny, Hunters is a bullet aiming straight for the heart.
This Creative Development Showcase offers audiences a unique opportunity to experience the work-in-progress and engage with the creative team as they shape this compelling new Australian drama.
Tickets to the showcase are only $10. To book:
https://events.humanitix.com/hunters-creative-development-showcase
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@ jute_theatre . May 30
Meet the Cast of HUNTERS - CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT SHOWCASE
We can`t wait to see these incredible actors bringing "Hunters"to life:
Garth Edwards
A proud Mamu filmmaker from North Queensland, Garth is known for his bold, character-driven stories that uplift First Nations voices. With credits on "Heartbreak High", "Black Comedy", and his own feature "2 Girls, a Guy, and a Gun", Garth is a creative force to watch.
John Robertson
John’s extensive career spans acting, lighting, set and sound design, and directing. From "A Country Practice" to "Macbeth" with TheatreiNQ, his artistry and craft have shaped countless productions across Queensland and beyond.
Matthew Raleigh
A passionate young performer, Matthew first lit up the stage at Rhondo Theatre’s "Charley’s Aunt", helping take the season to a sell-out run. Hungry for experience and driven by his love for the craft, Matthew’s star is on the rise.
Join us at the Creative Development Showcase Friday June 6th at 6pm.
To book: https://events.humanitix.com/hunters-creative-development-showcase
Meet the Cast of HUNTERS - CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT SHOWCASE
We can`t wait to see these incredible actors bringing "Hunters"to life:
Garth Edwards
A proud Mamu filmmaker from North Queensland, Garth is known for his bold, character-driven stories that uplift First Nations voices. With credits on "Heartbreak High", "Black Comedy", and his own feature "2 Girls, a Guy, and a Gun", Garth is a creative force to watch.
John Robertson
John’s extensive career spans acting, lighting, set and sound design, and directing. From "A Country Practice" to "Macbeth" with TheatreiNQ, his artistry and craft have shaped countless productions across Queensland and beyond.
Matthew Raleigh
A passionate young performer, Matthew first lit up the stage at Rhondo Theatre’s "Charley’s Aunt", helping take the season to a sell-out run. Hungry for experience and driven by his love for the craft, Matthew’s star is on the rise.
Join us at the Creative Development Showcase Friday June 6th at 6pm.
To book: https://events.humanitix.com/hunters-creative-development-showcase
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@ jute_theatre . May 27
RESIST THE SWITCH
Tickets to Resist the Switch, a new play performed by JUTE Theatre Company - Ubuntu Theatre, are now on sale!
Don`t miss this thought-provoking new work by Grace Edward that dares to ask: what parts of yourself are you willing to give up to be accepted? And what might happen if you choose to resist? What happens when fitting in means forgetting who you are?
Told through dynamic ensemble performance, ancestral folktales, and razor-sharp dialogue, Resist The Switch is more than a coming-of-age story—it’s a cultural awakening.
Details:
Dates: 20 and 21 June 2025
Time: 7pm
Where: Bulmba-ja Arts Centre
Tickets: https://collections.humanitix.com/resist-the-switch
RESIST THE SWITCH
Tickets to Resist the Switch, a new play performed by JUTE Theatre Company - Ubuntu Theatre, are now on sale!
Don`t miss this thought-provoking new work by Grace Edward that dares to ask: what parts of yourself are you willing to give up to be accepted? And what might happen if you choose to resist? What happens when fitting in means forgetting who you are?
Told through dynamic ensemble performance, ancestral folktales, and razor-sharp dialogue, Resist The Switch is more than a coming-of-age story—it’s a cultural awakening.
Details:
Dates: 20 and 21 June 2025
Time: 7pm
Where: Bulmba-ja Arts Centre
Tickets: https://collections.humanitix.com/resist-the-switch
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@ jute_theatre . May 16
ABC Far North presenter Charlie McKillop chatted with our Dare to Dream team ahead of their performance tonight and tour launch. If you`d like to see the show I Gut This Feeling tonight at 6pm, you can still get a ticket (only $10):
https://events.humanitix.com/dare-to-dream-i-gut-this-feeling-showcase
ABC Far North presenter Charlie McKillop chatted with our Dare to Dream team ahead of their performance tonight and tour launch. If you`d like to see the show I Gut This Feeling tonight at 6pm, you can still get a ticket (only $10):
https://events.humanitix.com/dare-to-dream-i-gut-this-feeling-showcase
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@ jute_theatre . May 12
THIS FRIDAY 6pm there will be "one-night-only" showcase of our Dare to Dream production, I Gut This Feeling. This is a wonderful all-ages show and tickets are only $10! Plus, there will be a Q&A after the show to learn more about the play, the tour, and behind the scenes work. Come along to see this show before it heads to Cape York Peninsula for its 2025 tour!
💻 To book: https://events.humanitix.com/dare-to-dream-i-gut-this-feeling-showcase
📸 In the photos: Macy-Grace Johnson as Djirra and Maurice Sailor as Harry Hairball in Isaac Drandic` "I Gut This Feeling". Photos by Paul Furse.
THIS FRIDAY 6pm there will be "one-night-only" showcase of our Dare to Dream production, I Gut This Feeling. This is a wonderful all-ages show and tickets are only $10! Plus, there will be a Q&A after the show to learn more about the play, the tour, and behind the scenes work. Come along to see this show before it heads to Cape York Peninsula for its 2025 tour!
💻 To book: https://events.humanitix.com/dare-to-dream-i-gut-this-feeling-showcase
📸 In the photos: Macy-Grace Johnson as Djirra and Maurice Sailor as Harry Hairball in Isaac Drandic` "I Gut This Feeling". Photos by Paul Furse.
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SITE NAVIGATION
JUTE Theatre Company
From humble beginnings in regional obscurity, stretched and moulded through years of hard work, fuelled by tenacity, rigour and persistence, JUTE Theatre Company has become a dynamic, award-winning, nationally regarded new work theatre company, sitting at the forefront of industry practice and consistently seeking new boundaries to explore in theatre practice.
Drawing on over three decades of industry experience, JUTE is a crucible in which new stories and perspectives are forged that inspire our communities and allow us all to reimagine ourselves through powerful shared theatre experiences. JUTE yields the floor to regional voices to examine the marginal, the unexplored, the unforeseen, to create stories that impact us deeply and change our world.
We do this through a wide range of inclusive programs of new work development, productions and touring, our Dare to Dream regional and remote tours with residencies, training, mentorship and community outreach.
Acknowledgement of Country
JUTE wishes to pay its respects to Elders, past and present, of the lands where we work, live and perform. JUTE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land as well as the many regional areas we visit, tour and produce work. We recognise that these lands have always been places of art and story-telling.
JUTE Theatre Company
JUTE welcomes new artistic leader
The Board of JUTE Theatre Company is delighted to welcome acclaimed theatre maker, director, and arts leader Chris Kohn as its new Executive Artistic Director following the retirement of co-founder, Artistic Director and CEO, Suellen Maunder.
Kohn’s appointment follows an extensive national search and marks the beginning of a new chapter for the company, with the formal handover scheduled later this month.
Kohn brings more than two decades of experience across Australia’s arts and cultural sectors. A graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts in Directing, Kohn is recognised for his visionary approach to contemporary theatre and commitment to collaboration, inclusion, and regional storytelling.
JUTE Chair Gill Townsend said the Board was thrilled to welcome Kohn to lead the company into its next chapter.
“Chris brings with him a remarkable body of work, a deep respect for regional communities, and a passion for developing new voices. His appointment signals an exciting new era for JUTE as we continue to champion diverse stories from across regional Queensland and beyond,” Ms Townsend said.
Kohn’s career spans senior management roles at Arena Theatre Company in Victoria and La Boite Theatre in Brisbane, with projects presented nationally and internationally, including in New York and Paris. His recent work has included key roles in regional and First Nations arts initiatives, including positions with Cairns Regional Council, Arts Queensland and education-focused organisation Good to Great Schools Australia.
Reflecting on his appointment, Kohn said his admiration for JUTE began long before he relocated to Cairns in 2021 and had been a source of inspiration for many years.
“Suellen's leadership has ensured not just JUTE's survival, but its flourishing, over three extraordinary decades. She leaves a vibrant company with top-notch, supremely dedicated staff and board.
“It is a great honour and privilege to be entrusted with steering this valued company through its next phase. I can't wait to get started with the team in forging strong relationships with the audiences, artists, supporters, and communities across regional Queensland and beyond,” Mr Kohn said.
JUTE’s long-serving Artistic Director and CEO, Suellen Maunder, expressed her confidence and excitement about the future:
“After an exhaustive national search, I am delighted with the appointment of Chris Kohn. Finding the right person to carry forward JUTE’s vision and values was paramount.
“With Chris, the Board have found someone whose artistic integrity, insight and care align perfectly with the company’s DNA. His leadership marks an exciting new chapter for JUTE, and I look forward to seeing the company continue to grow, connect and thrive under his direction,” Ms Maunder said.
"I also wish to acknowledge the extraordinary journey JUTE has taken over the years and recognise the early vision and dedication of my fellow founding members, Kathryn Ash and Susan Prince, whose creative contributions, both at that time and throughout the years, have helped shape the company’s direction and enduring spirit."
The JUTE Board and staff warmly welcome Chris Kohn and extend their deep gratitude to Suellen Maunder for her visionary leadership and lasting contribution to Queensland theatre. ... See MoreSee Less
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Chris Kohngratulations!!!
Great addition to the team ! Looking forward to supporting the vision @Chris Kohn brings to JUTE Theatre Company and builds on the great world Suellen Maunder has done !
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With the Creative Development of Hunters underway this morning, playwright Michael Sams and director Amber Grossmann (pictured) set the stage for a blistering three-hander that tears open the legacy of masculinity, violence, and buried trauma in one freezing night at a remote hunter’s cabin.
Three generations of men—grandfather, father, and son—circle each other with liquor, memory, and a loaded rifle in reach. What begins as a bonding trip becomes a pressure cooker of truths, confrontation, and survival. Raw, gripping, and darkly funny, Hunters is a bullet aiming straight for the heart.
This Creative Development Showcase offers audiences a unique opportunity to experience the work-in-progress and engage with the creative team as they shape this compelling new Australian drama.
Tickets to the showcase are only $10. To book:
events.humanitix.com/hunters-creative-development-showcase ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Today! Free entry. ... See MoreSee Less
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Meet the Cast of HUNTERS - CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT SHOWCASE
We can't wait to see these incredible actors bringing "Hunters"to life:
Garth Edwards
A proud Mamu filmmaker from North Queensland, Garth is known for his bold, character-driven stories that uplift First Nations voices. With credits on "Heartbreak High", "Black Comedy", and his own feature "2 Girls, a Guy, and a Gun", Garth is a creative force to watch.
John Robertson
John’s extensive career spans acting, lighting, set and sound design, and directing. From "A Country Practice" to "Macbeth" with TheatreiNQ, his artistry and craft have shaped countless productions across Queensland and beyond.
Matthew Raleigh
A passionate young performer, Matthew first lit up the stage at Rhondo Theatre’s "Charley’s Aunt", helping take the season to a sell-out run. Hungry for experience and driven by his love for the craft, Matthew’s star is on the rise.
Join us at the Creative Development Showcase Friday June 6th at 6pm.
To book: events.humanitix.com/hunters-creative-development-showcase ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Don't miss the amazing line-up of performers at the Cairns African Festival this Saturday! Our cast from Resist the Switch will also be performing a few songs from the play around 5.10pm, so come and join us! Right before dinner time...with all the delicious food stalls also present, it'll make for a wonderful event! ... See MoreSee Less
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Our team is looking forward to finally perform for the community in Napranum again!⭐️ Free Community Show & BBQ tomorrow night at PCYC from 5pm ⭐️
Come see this entertaining show from the wonderful JUTE Theatre Company team who have been working with the Kluthuthu students this week at Napranum PCYC.
#pcycnapranum #daretodream #igutthisfeeling #jutetheatrecompany ... See MoreSee Less
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