Empire Theatres Board appoint new General Manager
Following an extensive nationwide recruitment, the Empire Theatres Board of Directors is pleased to announce revered Queensland arts leader Giuliana Bonel as incoming General Manager
Giuliana Bonel joins Empire Theatres direct from her position as Marketing, Commercial and Experience Director at Brisbane Powerhouse, overseeing the organisation’s brand, marketing and audience engagement strategies, corporate sponsorship and stakeholder engagement, placemaking and visitor experience.
Throughout her seven-year tenure, Bonel has been instrumental in delivering a number of Brisbane Powerhouse’s most successful major events and experiences including the annual Brisbane Comedy Festival, MELT Festival and Queensland’s newest cultural tourism phenomenon, Night Feast.
Hailing from North Queensland, regional arts engagement is a personal passion that Bonel honed in previous marketing and audience development roles at Queensland Music Festival, Brisbane Festival, and the Australian Festival of Chamber Music.
Ms Bonel said she was thrilled to join the largest performing arts precinct in regional Australia, inspired by the beauty and potential of Queensland's largest inland city.
"The role in which the Empire Theatres plays in the Toowoomba region is incredibly important, and I am excited to build on its reputation as the 'must see’ destination for locals and visitors alike,” she said.
"I have a strong passion for delivering enthralling and transformative artistic experiences to audiences from all walks of life, and I look forward to working alongside the community in doing so.”
Giuliana Bonel
Empire Theatres Chairman, Andrew Wielandt noted that the coveted position – previously held by long serving General Manager Kerry Saul who retires from the organisation after 25 years of service – had received widespread national interest.
“We were overwhelmed with interest for the role but were so impressed by Giuliana’s broad skill set and demonstrable business acumen, an undeniable passion and commitment to the arts as well as her proud regional background,” Mr Wielandt said.
“Giuliana has a wide range of skills and experience in the arts across the state, including extensive engagement with regional communities. She has demonstrated excellence in her various roles and we are fortunate to have someone with her skill set operationally leading Australia’s largest regional theatre,” he said.
“With our new strategic plan for 2022-2025 in place and underway, the Board looks forward to working with Giuliana and the Empire team to fulfil Empire Theatres vision to nurture, enable and inspire dynamic cultural growth, championing experiences for, with and by the community.”
Departing General Manager Kerry Saul will retire in June, finishing his 25 years at The Empire extremely proud of the reputation the theatre has established, both in the community and within the performing arts industry.
“It has been a privilege to work with so many wonderful people across my time at The Empire and I will certainly miss this, and the daily opportunity to walk into Australia’s most beautiful art deco theatre,” he said.
“The growth of the arts across the past 25 years has seen the re-emergence of The Empire as the iconic jewel in the crown of the Toowoomba Region.
“I congratulate Ms Bonel on her appointment and look forward to seeing The Empire continue to grow and engage our community under her leadership.”
Bonel will commence in the position in June.
#What’s New
After four sold-out shows in September of this year, Theatre of Magic is returning by popular demand to The Empire for a six-month series of performances.
The Empire Foundation has continued their commitment to supporting and nurturing the young performers of the region with the presentation of the 2024 Empire Youth Bursaries.
The Southern Queensland Regional Arts Services Network (RASN) will shine a light on talented artists across Southern Queensland with the creation of a high-quality publication aimed at celebrating the spirit and stories of Southern Queensland art and culture.
A remarkable true story of unity, humanity and hope lands on The Empire stage when Tony and Olivier Award-winning hit Broadway musical Come From Away performs from 14 – 23 March 2025.
The Empire’s popular family festival Thrive on Arts will return from September 26-29, celebrating all things nature and the environment.
In the lead-up to 2024 NAIDOC Week celebrations, The Empire launched their Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in support of their ongoing commitment to fostering reconciliation in Australia.
