Kevin du Preez, Thinker-in-Residence at APAX 2025
Earlier this month, our Executive Director, Kevin du Preez, travelled to Larrakia country in Darwin for PAC Australia’s 2025 Australian Performing Arts Exchange (APAX).
APAX is the annual gathering of producers, presenters, artists, and arts leaders from across the country. It is where future tours are booked, new partnerships are formed, and big conversations about the direction of the sector take place. It is one of the most important national forums for the performing arts.
Kevin was honoured to be invited as the conference’s Thinker-in-Residence, a role that shines a light on leaders bringing new ideas and bold questions to the national stage. He was joined by our Artistic Director, Eva Di Cesare, who connected with colleagues and shared her creative vision for the future of theatre for young people. Together, they represented Monkey Baa Theatre Company’s commitment to putting young people at the centre of everything we do.
Throughout the week, Kevin led conversations on sustainability, abundance, leadership, and the models that shape how we create theatre. He focused on practical strategies for change, asking how our sector can adapt and thrive in a rapidly shifting world.
Kevin reflected:
“It was a privilege to be welcomed on Larrakia country and to speak about the future of our sector. What inspired me most was the energy in the room. People are ready to think differently and to build models that put community and young people at the heart of what we do.”
At Monkey Baa, we are already testing new approaches. Our Theatre Unlimited program is breaking down barriers by providing free tickets and transport so more young people and families can experience live performance. Our Slow Touring model is reimagining how we reach remote communities, bringing full-scale productions into town halls and community spaces across Queensland. We are also exploring new audience development partnerships with regional venues and investing in international collaborations in Asia, ensuring our work resonates both locally and globally.
These models are about more than survival. They are about thriving—ensuring young people across Australia continue to experience the joy, creativity, and connection of live theatre. They are also about building a strong and sustainable future for Monkey Baa, so that the next generation will look back and remember their first theatre experience with us.
