Rodney Philips

Rodney Philips. (?-) Arts administrator.

Training

Went to London Polytechnic for a course in Theatre Admin. Another source suggests he trained in Theatre Mangement at the City University of London.

Career

Philips started his career in the Marketing department of Langeberg Koop which overlooked the Nico Malan Theatre Complex. While he was front of house manager for CAPAB he realised he wanted to pursue a career in arts administration.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Philips was appointed Admin Manager at CAPAB on his return from London. He was the only qualified Theatre Manager in SA at that time. He had a year’s experience in the PE Opera House as manager, followed by work experience for CAPAB’s Oopera, Orchestra and Music departments.

He was appointed Deputy General for the State Theatre in Pretoria for 2 years in which time he oversaw its construction and its magnificent inauguration.

Afterwards he was appointed to NAPAC as Director (1982-?). Under his leadership, the Natal Playhouse complex was opened as NAPAC’s official home for the various departments, including the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (founded 1983) and, in 1985, the NAPAC Dance Company, the Loft Theatre Company and the Musicals Department.

He subsequently resigned to become the assistant director of the Sydney Opera House in 19**.

In 1996 he was appointed as as Director of the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town, on the retirement of John Slemon. In this time he introduced a number of innovative and training programmes for new writers and performers. In 1999 he resigned this position to return to Australia. PHILLIPS, Rodney.

Sources

Tucker, 1997

Hilde Roos. 2012. 'Indigenisation and history: how opera in South Africa became South African opera'. Acta Academica Supplementum. 2012(1).

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