NEW WORK PLAYGROUND

She/Her

GUEST PANELLIST

Ashley is a producer, dramaturg, director and advocate for new Australian musical theatre. Originally from Toronto, Ashley’s career bridges Australian and international markets. Alongside producing, she enjoyed a career as a performer overseas, working with Really Useful Group, Mirvish Productions, and the Shaw and Stratford Festivals, across theatre, television and animation.

As Associate Producer & Head of New Works Development at Stoddart Entertainment Group, Ashley helps shape the company’s strategy for commissioning, developing and exporting Australian works, while supporting commercial productions in Australia and abroad.

Ashley is CEO of award-winning Salty Theatre, which has delivered Australian premiere productions and launched Hatch Lab Writers Initiative, championing writers and composers through mentorship and industry-aligned development opportunities.

He/She/They

ICARUS AND THE MINOTAUR

Sarah Hartnell is a theatre-maker, performer, and director with a passion for collaborative, new, and physically embodied work. His multi-disciplinary approach spans youth work, regional engagement, immersive work, and devised theatre. As a queer and neurodivergent artist, she has a particular interest in using theatre as a tool for compassion, showcasing undertold histories and underrepresented communities. Sarah runs regular community theatre workshops with a focus on social connection and providing a creative third place for young people.

She/Her

THE 5 STAGES OF PIG BUTCHERING

Myf Powell is a theatre maker, director, musician and inclusive arts practitioner working across community engaged and contemporary performance. Holding qualifications from Victoria University, RADA/King’s College London and the Victorian College of the Arts, her career spans leadership roles with City of Voices, Arts Access Victoria, The Humour Foundation and The Torch. Her work has been presented nationally and internationally, including at the Edinburgh Fringe and London’s Royal Opera House. Myf is currently Pathways and Partnerships Manager at La Mama Theatre and co-producer of goat productions.