Polyglot Theatre to farewell Executive Director Viv Rosman

After five years of leadership, Polyglot Theatre’s Executive Director and co-CEO Viv Rosman is stepping down at the end of 2020. Viv is returning to Sydney where she has accepted the role of Manager, Arts and Culture at Waverley Council.

Viv has fearlessly led Polyglot through a period of exciting change and growth over the last five years. Her achievements include securing a new home for the company at the Abbotsford Convent, overseeing a substantial increase in the company’s philanthropic supporter base, and leading Polyglot’s 40th birthday fundraising appeal, its most successful to date, which enabled the organisation’s relocation.

Viv has grown and diversified Polyglot’s international markets substantially, with debut tours in Canada, India and China among the highlights of recent years. Viv represented Polyglot at numerous market development events nationally and internationally, working tirelessly, and to great effect, to promote Polyglot’s unique brand of theatre to the world.

From Polyglot’s Chair Sarah Hunt: “On behalf of the Polyglot Board, I would like to thank Viv from the bottom of our hearts for her outstanding contribution to Polyglot these past 5 years. As co-CEO Viv led the team with confidence and conviction; her approach is one that is thoughtful, pragmatic and focussed, and we have benefited from Viv’s surefooted approach to projects small and large, at home and overseas. We look forward to seeing her achieve great things in her new role.”

Viv has created opportunities for creativity to flourish in all areas of the organisation, and her commitment to a healthy and happy workplace culture has buoyed the whole team through the challenges of 2020.

Polyglot’s Artistic Director Sue Giles AM: “The co-CEO relationship in a small to medium theatre company is an intense and pivotal one. When it works well it is brilliant, and Viv is one of the best working partners I’ve ever had. We have always operated together with honesty and deep respect, openness and shared excitement for the future. Viv’s leadership qualities are outstanding and all of us – staff, artists, board and donors – have benefitted from her thoughtful and considered approach. Viv has poured herself into her Polyglot family and we will miss her terribly; for all she’s offered and built and for her quiet, dry fun, her crack of laughter, the warmth of her smile and her love of all things cake-related. We wish her the absolute best in her new role and know that those lucky folks working with her will get a wonderful leader who is dedicated to all that the arts can bring to our world, and the place of children in that vision.”

Viv says: “Leaving Polyglot is deeply bittersweet. It has been an incredible privilege to lead this wonderful organisation, working in partnership with the legendary Sue Giles and Polyglot’s talented staff and artists. It has been an overwhelmingly happy experience, with many “pinch me” moments over the years (climbing the Great Wall of China with Sue tops the list). I am so proud of Polyglot’s achievements over the last five years and am grateful to have played my part in them. Notwithstanding the great challenges facing the arts, and particularly the Theatre for Young Audiences sector, Polyglot is strong and healthy, and I know it has a bright future ahead. I will miss the organisation greatly.”

For any inquiries, please email info@polyglot.org.au