Critical Stages Touring, the Sydney-based national theatre touring company, has appointed Robbi James as its new Chief Executive Officer and Director.

It amounts to an internal promotion; James has already been with CST for four years, serving under the previous CEO Chris Bendall as Marketing and Engagement Manager.

“After an exhaustive process, the board is convinced that Robbi is the right person at the right time at this stage in the company’s development,” said Mark Thomas, Chair of Critical Stages Touring. “His ideas for the future [of CST] will breathe some fresh air into our offer and the sector. I look forward to what the future holds.”

James, who completed a Masters of Arts Management at the Sydney Opera House with the Australian Institute of Music in 2018, said he looks forward to building on CST’s work connecting regional communities and fostering a sustainable national independent theatre sector.

“Critical Stages Touring plays a vital role in the nation’s independent theatre ecology, most importantly in venues and communities in regional, remote, and rural Australia,” James said.

“I’m deeply passionate about the quality and potential of independent storytellers, and I’m looking forward to building on...