Our Team

Chair

Michael is a theatre director born and bred in Melbourne, and has directed theatre, dance and opera for each of the major State theatre companies, as well as all the major festivals across the country.

Deputy Chair

Stephanie’s first Fringe experience was some many many years ago in the early 2000s at Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It cemented her love for the provocative!

Treasurer

Liz is a finance boffin with experience in both commercial and for-purpose sectors. After a decade in the arts—including festivals—she now works in housing and homelessness, where creativity and resourcefulness go hand in hand.

Company Secretary

Louise is an experienced in-house lawyer in the charities and not-for-profit sector and an accomplished musician trained in jazz and improvisation at the Victorian College of the Arts. 

Director

With over 20 years’ experience in strategic communications Feyi is one of the country’s most sought after communications consultants.

Director

One of Joel’s first Fringe experiences was creating and performing in the sold out, award-winning show Biladurang. 

Director

Paige X. Cho is a marketer curious about consumer psychology, advertising and data insights. 

Director

Michael Hyde, holding a Bachelor of Commerce from Canterbury University in Christchurch, is the Head of Strategy at M&C Saatchi Melbourne.

Director

Felix is a public policy consultant specialising in fiscal policy, infrastructure projects and public sector commercial strategy.

Director

Rupert is a fundraising professional who has worked in the arts for over 20 years in marketing, corporate partnerships and philanthropy management roles for organisations including Melbourne Theatre Company, the Melbourne International Arts Festival and the Australian Youth Orchestra.

Creative Director and CEO

Danny’s hot tip for Fringe is get in early! Too many times in the past he’s put off seeing a show he wants to see only to find out everyone else was too and it’s now sold out.

Creative Director and CEO (Parental Leave 2026)

Since 2015, Simon has served as Creative Director & CEO of Melbourne Fringe. Simon is currently also Co-Curator for Theater Der Welt Chemnitz 2026, Germany's most significant international theatre festival. Simon is also a current member of the Creative Workplaces Council, Trustee for the Betty Amsden Foundation and a member of the International Society for the Performing Arts programming committee (New York). He is a life member of Theatre Network Australia. He likes experimental performance and 90s pop divas.

Executive Director & Deputy CEO

Marline is excited to be part of the Fringe Team. Previously, with senior appointments as the Acting Co-CEO at Malthouse and Director of Public Programming at Intersection for the Arts in San Francisco, Marline's career encompasses arts, civic engagement, and placemaking initiatives.

Venue Manager

Taz is a hospo pro with a knack for venue management, events and operations. Passionate about bringing spaces to life, she thrives on turning ideas into unforgettable experiences, mixing creativity, organisation and a whole lot of good vibes.

Venue Manager (Parental Leave 2026)

Abbie is a venue and operations pro from the UK who now calls Melbourne home. Before joining Fringe, she managed West End theatres, underground raves, arts venues and music festival bars, and loves seeing a venue come alive with people, art and energy.

Senior Production Manager

I love festivals
I love festival folk
I love being behind the scenes of all things production
I love Fringe

Access and Disability Lead

Carly’s hot tip for Fringe is the words and ideas sessions. She loves a good panel discussion and will probably be live tweeting what’s happening.

Systems Coordinator

After nearly a decade designing at Adelaide Fringe, Chloe’s eye for systems and structure now drives her work as Melbourne Fringe’s Airtable whiz – blending UX thinking and festival insight, all to a contagious soundtrack of pop music. 🪩

Systems and Office Administrator

After years of working in artist services at festivals across Aotearoa New Zealand (New Zealand Fringe Festival, New Zealand International Comedy Festival, NZIFF, CubaDupa), Olivia has made the move to Naarm to ride the trams and gain experience in larger-scale festival environments. They support the team with all things systems, processes, and admin—as well as making sure the tea selection is up to scratch!

Venue Sales and Marketing Coordinator

After working on venues teams for 10 years Shayne brings their experience of both front and back of house to Fringe

Head of Audience & Digital

Lou's background spans operations, creative arts, and work in the not-for-profit sector. She brings a passion for driving meaningful impact through creativity and collaboration. 

Marketing Campaigns Manager

Emma is a visual art enthusiast and graduated in 2021 with an undergraduate degree in Art History and Italian. She’s worked on programs with M Pavilion and National Gallery of Australia and is currently studying a cheeky little Master of Art Curatorship on the side.

Marketing Coordinator

Hailing from Manila, Raissa is a content producer with a love for storytelling and a background spanning screen, media, and events. If you see her, please offer her a snack!

Head of Development & Deputy CEO

During the Festival, Miranda can be seen waxing lyrical about the BEST event she just saw – it may involve dancing with 400 people in a Town Square or watching a man dance with a soggy cardboard box.

Funding, Strategy and Evaluation Manager

Pauline’s career in the arts began with a keen interest in experimental performance. A founding member of Splinters Theatre of Spectacle and Snuff Puppets, she ran away from the circus in 2003, when the demands of international touring became incompatible with the needs of her two small progeny. A 14 year stint as funding manager at Back to Back Theatre awakened a passion for access and inclusion. Joining Melbourne Fringe’s development team in 2016, Pauline gets to use the skills and interests of all her former selves.

Engagement Coordinator / Executive Officer

Subashini loves making creative things happen behind the scenes.

Grant & Copy Writer

Dan crafts the grants, submissions and stories that support Melbourne Fringe's work. He also writes plays, which have been staged across Australia and the world in festivals, theatres, schools, libraries, and one time in a barn outside of Hobart.

Development Manager

Tim works across development, partnerships and storytelling to support Melbourne Fringe’s ambitious, creative program. With a background in screen production, digital content and live events, he brings structure to creative ideas, with a soft spot for organised chaos. He can juggle three balls (no upgrades planned). Fringe/life tip: follow your curiosity!

Head of Programs and Projects

Eilysh is an arts producer and avid crafter with experience programming festivals both nationally and internationally. She enjoys working on large-scale civic events, particularly the 'impossible projects', bringing a thoughtful, hands-on approach to turning ambitious ideas into reality.

Senior Program Manager (Independent Arts)

Olly is a non-binary award-winning producer, programmer, and lighting designer who has worked across many spheres of the independent arts. With a deep love of the independent sector, they have toured works domestically and internationally.

Senior Producer (Curated Program)

Harriet’s hot tip for the festival is to spend as much time out of Carlton as you do in it! Fringe is happening all over the city in many unexpected nooks and crannies. Explore!

Program Manager (Access)

At the core of all they do is their commitment to making artistic experiences more accessible and inclusive for artists and audiences. Pushing boundaries and expectations, challenging cultural ‘norms’, shaking up the patriarchy, and Rose are their middle names.

Program Manager (Deadly Fringe)

Alexandra is a Taungurung woman working across producing, programming and curating multidisciplinary arts. She is experienced in delivering performances, events, festivals and cultural initiatives through not-for-profit organisations and large-scale arts institutions, championing diverse artistic voices and community connection.

Arts Programmer

Juzzy does art a lot, loves art a lot, helps artists a lot. He's a director, dramaturg, festival programmer, karaoke mic-stealer, and occasional performance artist. He's thrilled to be programming the Fringe Festival Hub and Meat Market. Like, really thrilled.

Program Coordinator (Independent Arts)

Lauren is an award-winning comedian, producer, and Naarm-based arts worker with 15 years in the creative sector. She's great to chat to about a new hot show, or how to make a giant prop!

Producer (Curated Program)

Georgia is a producer, programmer and occasional mega sports event manager, with experience across Berlin, Edinburgh and Aus. 15 years ago she didn't get selected to volunteer at Fringe, so she's really chuffed to be here now.

Artist & Venues Liaison

Tarntanya/Adelaide born, Gemma made her Cabaret debut with the Melbourne Fringe in 2022 and has since toured her solo works locally and internationally. An award winning writer and performer, Gemma is passionate about the independent arts sector and artist support.

Risk Management Consultant

Registration System

Senior Philanthropy Consultant

IT Support

Ticketing System

Website Developers & Designers