In the first of our new profile series with the people who make up our Melbourne’s arts precinct, we introduce you to Sally Noonan, Executive Director and Co-CEO of MTC, and ask her about her leadership style, what attracted her to her role at the MTC, and what she’s most looking forward to seeing.

What attracted to you to the role at Melbourne Theatre Company?

It was a combination of things, really. It’s an exciting time for Melbourne Theatre Company with Anne-Louise Sarks in the Artistic Director role. I wanted to be part of the new energy behind the company and to partner with Anne-Louise and the whole team on the next chapter for Melbourne Theatre Company. It’s a gift to be able to build from the heritage that the company has at the centre of Melbourne’s cultural scene to ensure an exciting future with programming that genuinely sparks conversations. We want to extend a welcome to a diverse range of people from across the city and the state. It’s no easy thing to encourage people to the theatre for what might be the first time when we can all binge a range of entertainment on demand at home on our sofas, but there is still nothing like the thrill of sitting with strangers and really feeling live theatre. I had also ALWAYS wanted to try living in Melbourne. Culture is so present in day-to-day life in Melbourne and I feel at home in cities where that is the case.  

What is your leadership style?

I try just to always act with integrity as the first thing, and to listen to my instincts without overthinking. Of course, also to be measured and thoughtful and self-aware and approachable and clear and transparent and outward looking. Oh, is that me overthinking…? I like the quote that the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. For me that’s about having a strategy, ensuring that everyone knows what the strategy is and why and then getting on with it. Also, it’s theatre – or culture or the arts – so there MUST be some joy to be found in the day to day.

What was the last show you saw that rocked your world?

It was a show in Sydney Festival by the Javaad Alipoor Company called Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World. It’s billed as a multimedia murder mystery but in my mind it’s about much more fundamental things than that. About how we process information and how the structures through which we receive information reflect inherent global power structures, which makes it sound dry, but it was one of the most skilful pieces of storytelling I’ve seen in the past few years. Totally compelling and I’m still thinking about it months later. I also really loved The Hate Race at Malthouse. It spoke to me as a kid of the 80s and Zahra Newman is a total wonder in everything. Also, the Melbourne Theatre Company show 37. At the end of the company run I was crying. It was the first time I’d seen the melding of the Indigenous dance into the show, and it was overwhelmingly beautiful.

What are you most looking forward to seeing?

I can’t wait to get to the NGV’s Reko Rennie retrospective actually. I’m also a latent music fan trying to get back to gigs so I’m really looking forward to Idles at Myer Music Bowl and hoping that I won’t get totally wiped out by the exuberance of the crowd. Sadly, I’m missing St Vincent next week.  

What’s on the horizon at Melbourne Theatre Company that we should keep our eyes out for?

Well, My Brilliant Career, is super special. Kala Gare who plays the lead is a force. Everyone is wowed by her fierce energy. Also, it’s a JOYOUS new take on a story that was part of my early filmgoing life. I also can’t wait for The Blackwoman of Gippsland. Really gripping and poetic, Aboriginal mystery that I think will send the audience on a huge roller-coaster. It’s written by Andrea James who also wrote Sunshine Super Girl, and we’re presenting it with Yirramboi. But also, SO much to be excited about in our 2025 season, and such variety.

Image credit: Annabel Moeller
 

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