Lou Oppenheim Appointed Sydney Dance Company’s Executive Director

Lou Oppenheim has been appointed as Executive Director of Sydney Dance Company. The appointment follows a global search undertaken by the Sydney Dance Company Board with the assistance of Challis & Company. Former Executive Director, Anne Dunn resigned in September to become the Executive Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Theatre Company.

Lou is a highly experienced and strategic arts leader, passionate about inspiring audiences through the power of live performance, engaging with the broader community, and fostering the next generation of artists and arts workers. She has been Director of Production & Events at the Sydney Opera House since 2019, with a broad portfolio encompassing venue and event sales, production services, event operations and planning, and recording and broadcast services.

Lou was previously Create Infrastructure Senior Manager (Create NSW), Circus Oz General Manager, and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Director of Operations. Lou is also a Board Member and Treasurer of Theatre Network Australia and deputy chair of ELISION Ensemble.

“I am thrilled to welcome Lou to the Sydney Dance Company family,” said Sydney Dance Company Chair Brett Clegg. “Lou represents a tremendous cultural fit, with a highly engaged and thoughtful leadership style, and the capabilities to build on the strong foundations laid by Anne. Sydney Dance Company remains unashamedly ambitious, and Lou brings the skills and experience to help us scale new heights. Our Board was particularly attracted by her strategic acumen and depth of experience in the live performance industry.”

Sydney Dance Company’s Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela added, “I am delighted to welcome Lou as our new Executive Director and look forward to working in partnership with her. Her breadth of experience is outstanding. Lou joins us at an exciting time for Sydney Dance Company…There is much to achieve, and I know that Lou joins us with great ambition to propel the Company to further success.” 

Upon her appointment, Lou Oppenheim said, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside everyone at Sydney Dance Company. I have long admired the energy and artistry of the Company’s dancers, as well as the organisation’s vision, broad community reach and strong commercial foundation. I pay tribute to the leadership of Anne Dunn and look forward to collaborating with Raf and the Board at this exciting time in the Company’s history, including next year’s return to a full schedule of local, national and international performances.”

Lou will join Sydney Dance Company in February 2022 and will report to the Sydney Dance Company Board.

For more information on Sydney Dance Company, visit www.sydneydancecompany.com