Sally-Anne Kerr grew up with a love of drama and dance, often making up shows for her ‘long-suffering relatives’ at Christmas. 

She’s gone on to have an established career producing and directing popular shows including Neighbours and Shortland Street, senior management at Columbia TriStar in Sydney, running Film Victoria and producing Good Morning for the past 10 years.

After completing a Master of Entrepreneurship at Otago University, she says it was a natural progression to join The Auckland Performing Arts Centre (TAPAC) as executive director in October.

“I wanted to take on a leading role in performing arts management, and TAPAC ticked all the boxes. I love its wide array of classes and performance, and coming from a live show environment, I love the pace.”

Sally-Anne tells us about her creative career and future goals for TAPAC.

Iwi/Hapu: My whanau is Ngai Tahu, my hapu is Otakou. My grandfather, Frank Winter was Chairman of Ngai Tahu for 20 years.

Qualifications: 
I have a law degree from Auckland University. I recently completed a professional qualification in Digital Marketing and a Master of Entrepreneurship (MEntr) from Otago University.

Tells us a bit about your background
I grew up with a love of drama and dance, spending many hours making up a variety of shows for school events and for my long-suffering relatives at Christmas. When I returned to New Zealand after a couple of years away, a friend encouraged me to play Theatresports each weekend at the Maidment Theatre, which I loved.  I’ve spent many hours in recent years doing contemporary and ballet classes. I’ve lived in London, New York, and for many years in Australia, both in Sydney and Melbourne. I returned home to New Zealand at the end of 2005.

Tell us a bit about your career 

I started work as a finance lawyer, then moved into television with a trainee executive producer role with Grundy Television in Sydney. I produced and directed Neighbours, directed Shortland Street, MDA (ABC, Australia), and Aroha (Te Reo series). I associate directed the musical Sweet Charity in Mellbourne.  I ran Film Victoria, a state agency responsible for providing strategic leadership and assistance to the film, television and digital sectors of Victoria. Prior to moving back to New Zealand to produce Good Morning on TV One, I was the Director of Development and Production at Columbia TriStar in Sydney.

What’s a highlight of your resume/portfolio?

My biggest challenge and accomplishment was transitioning Good Morning, a 15 hour a week show, from Wellington to Auckland. It was a big job with many complicated factors such as integrating our systems with One News, dealing with TVNZ’s refurbishment plans, recruiting staff and on-air talent, and the logistics involved in setting up and running two studios for a live show, all whilst keeping the 15 hour Wellington show running. 

Tell us about your new role

My new role is the Executive Director at TAPAC. I’m working alongside Artistic Director, Margaret-Mary Hollins to grow TAPAC’s role as a facility and performing arts venue.

Tell us about the organisation/company - mission and vision

TAPAC is a unique and much loved Auckland performing arts facility. It’s a wonderful place with a broad diversity of programmes and talent. It celebrates cultural collaboration, with groups such as Prayas, the project Culture Clash and many others. It is extremely vibrant and busy facility full of creative diversity. It encourages through artistic excellence, arts education and community development.

Why did you want this role? What was a perfect fit? 

The role was a natural progression from television after completing my masters. I wanted to take on a leading role in performing arts management, and TAPAC ticked all the boxes. I love its wide array of classes and performance, and coming from a live show environment, I love the pace. I was also very excited to get the opportunity to work with Artistic Director Margaret-Mary Hollins. 

What did you need to adapt or learn?

I’m learning a lot about running a theatre, box office and venue.

What combination of people, partners and resources do you work with?

I work with a fabulous team of support staff and a liaise with a broad variety of creative producers, directors, technicians, teachers, actors, dancers and the arts staff at Western Springs College.

What are some of your recent and upcoming projects?

We just had an amazing tribute to Leonard Cohen that sold out. The timing of the show was uncanny. We also had a terrific musical called Schlunted which was conceived and produced, all within 100 days. Audiences loved it as it is very funny, has a great storyline and the music is fantastic. We’re bringing it back in the middle of March next year. We’ve got an innovative production in our car park called Riding in Cars with (Mostly Straight) Boys starting on 9 December, an entertaining line-up for our TAPAC Fringe Festival season including TAPAC’s Culture Clash, as well as many wonderful dance and performance classes, and holiday programmes.

What’s your short and long-term goals? 

My goal is to grow the organisation, and build its profile and revenue streams.

What advice would you give to someone pursuing a similar creative career or pathway?

My advice would be to set your goals and follow your heart. Do what really interests you and what you’re passionate about. Then going to work is not like work at all.

What's your number one business tip for surviving and thriving in the creative industries?

Be adaptable.

What are the challenges and opportunities in your sector? 

Funding is a major issue for most arts organisations, and it is for TAPAC. TAPAC is unique in that it is connected to many different communities. Working with these communities to provide a platform for their voices is an opportunity that we want to continue to build, in addition to extending our range of classes to meet people’s needs.

What’s your big idea for 2017?

Consolidate the building blocks for future TAPAC growth.

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