The Adelaide Festival Board has announced the appointment of Julian Hobba as its new Executive Director. He starts in the role in September 2025.

A proud South Australian, Hobba joins Adelaide Festival after five years as Executive Director of State Theatre Company South Australia (STCSA). While there, he supported some of the most ambitious productions in the company’s recent history and helped deliver a series of national and local co-productions and tours, including the STCSA and Sydney Theatre Company production The Dictionary of Lost Words.

Prior to working with STCSA, Hobba served as Executive Director of The Blue Room Theatre in Perth and Program Manager for the Centenary of Canberra, where he oversaw major cultural commissions such as Patricia Piccinini’s iconic Skywhale – a work that has since been performed at two Adelaide Festivals.

Julian Hobba. Photo supplied

Hobba began his professional career at Malthouse Theatre in Melbourne working under Artistic Director Michael Kantor. He began his artistic journey as a playwright, producing his own work in Melbourne’s independent sector.

“I am incredibly excited to be taking on the role of Executive Director at Adelaide Festival,” said Hobba. “I’ve been attending Adelaide Festivals...