Rodney Phillips

Rodney Phillips. (?-) 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

Phillips 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. He went on to work for CAPAB, the State Theatre, and NAPAC.

In 1988, Phillips relocated to Australia where he worked as General Manager for the Lyric Opera of Queensland (1988 - 1990) and as Deputy General Manager (Theatres & Commercial Operations) for the Sydney Opera House (1990 - 1996). He then returned to South Africa to take up the role of Director at the Baxter Theatre.

He returned to Australia in 1999, and worked as General Manager at His Majesty's Theatre, Perth (Jul 1999 - Jun 2004), Chief Executive Chief Executive for AEG Ogden Perth Pty Ltd (Jul 2004 - Dec 2014).

He is an Honorary Life Member of Live Performance Australia and the South African Institute of Theatre Technology after serving terms on the Boards of both these organisations.

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

Phillips 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 Opera, 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 (1982-1988). 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.

From 1988-1996, Phillips was resident in Australia.

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. He was also Chief Executive for the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (1998 - 1999). In 1999 he resigned these positions to return to Australia.

Sources

Tucker, 1997

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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodney-phillips-859254a3/?originalSubdomain=au

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