Carly Fisher is a theatre director, producer, programmer and arts leader whose career is driven by a passion for bringing stories to life, creating opportunities for artists and connecting audiences with great work.
With experience spanning artistic programming, festival development, theatre-making, producing and touring, Carly has worked across independent theatre and the not-for-profit sector in Australia and internationally. Her work brings together a strong artistic sensibility, a commitment to championing diverse voices and an understanding of the strategic, operational and stakeholder relationships required to bring ambitious programs to life.
Programming, artistic leadership and producing
Carly's experience spans programming for mainstage theatre, festivals, special events and broader cultural programs. She is passionate about building engaging, considered programs that balance artistic ambition with audience interests, organisational objectives, commercial viability and opportunities for artistic development.
Her programming approach is informed by her experience as a director and producer, giving her an understanding of a work's journey from initial concept through development, presentation and audience engagement. She is particularly interested in new writing, musical theatre, contemporary performance and work that challenges perspectives, champions underrepresented voices and creates meaningful connections with audiences.
Most recently, Carly was the founding Artistic, Programs and Festival Director of Qtopia Sydney, where she worked across artistic programming, festival development, events and organisation-wide delivery. Her role required balancing creative ambition with organisational priorities, coordinating artists and stakeholders, and developing programs that reflected the organisation's purpose and engaged diverse communities.
Among her key achievements was establishing Pride Fest, creating a festival platform for LGBTQIA+ and Ally artists, communities and stories. This work brought together artistic programming, community engagement, funding negotiations, publicity, partnerships and festival delivery, demonstrating Carly's ability to develop a program from concept through to implementation while responding to the needs of artists, audiences and the wider community.
Alongside her artistic leadership, Carly has built an extensive career as a theatre director and producer, with more than 35 productions across Australia and internationally. Her experience encompasses new work, premieres, touring productions and festival presentations, providing a practical understanding of the creative processes, resources and collaborations that underpin successful programming.
Touring and creative development
Carly is particularly passionate about touring and creating opportunities for productions to reach new audiences. She enjoys identifying the right work, venues and markets, and bringing together the relationships, resources and practical arrangements needed to make touring possible.
Her experience as a director, producer and arts leader allows her to consider programming opportunities from multiple perspectives: artistic merit, publicity potential, audience appeal, practical feasibility and the potential to build lasting relationships between artists, venues and communities.
Carly offers touring consultancy and management services for artists, producers and organisations looking to develop their work and reach new audiences.
Reviewing and writing
Carly is also a theatre reviewer and publisher, and values the opportunity to experience theatre from the audience's perspective. As Artistic and Managing Director of Theatre Travels, which she established in 2017, she has developed an active theatre publication with a network of volunteer writers covering productions across Australia and internationally.
Through Theatre Travels, Carly works across editorial direction, writer engagement and content delivery, maintaining relationships with theatre companies and publicists while helping audiences discover productions and engage with the wider performing arts landscape.
Her reviewing practice also informs her programming perspective, keeping her connected to contemporary work, emerging artists, audience responses and the evolving conversations shaping the industry.
And beyond the theatre...
In 2022, Carly became a registered marriage celebrant, adding another form of storytelling to her life, and is an enthusiastic traveller.
Carly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Performance Studies and a Master of Public Relations and Advertising from UNSW, where she graduated with distinction.
Across her work in programming, theatre-making, festivals, touring, publishing and celebrancy, Carly is committed to creating opportunities, championing artists and bringing people together through meaningful experiences.
For programming opportunities, creative collaborations, touring enquiries or celebrancy bookings, Carly welcomes the opportunity to connect.
