Jonty Hendry
Chief Executive
Jonty takes care of how BATS runs and grows and brings all the tools to fly BATS to the future. He is the former Artistic Director of Dunedin’s Fortune Theatre and was previously Head of Acting and an Associate Director of Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School. Jonty is a strong advocate for the arts who is regularly called on for his skills in governance, moderation and advisory.
[email protected]
021 655 128
Dennis Eir Lim
Front of House Manager
Dennis was born and raised in Sydney, Australia in the culturally diverse suburb of Cabramatta West with a whānau who emigrated from Cambodia after the Khmer Rouge regime. He has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Practice in Theatre from Victoria University of Wellington, studied music and live-sound as a singer at Whitireia and is working on several projects in addition to his role as Front of House Manager. He is passionate about healthy work practices, and LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC representation and believes that the arts can change the world.
Lyndee-Jane Rutherford
Partnerships Manager
“It’s like coming home”, Lyndee-Jane says of her new role as Partnerships Manager at BATS. She brings with her thirty years experience in the theatre and TV industry and nearly ten years on the board at Circa Theatre. Her love of theatre and theatre artists has brought her back to BATS after working in the emergency services. She looks forward to creating new relationships and expanding on the connections she has.
India Worsnop
EVENTS & BAR MANAGER
India is a performer and marketing designer originally from Tāmaki Makau-rau, but living in Pōneke for the last three years completing a Bachelor of Arts at Victoria University. She studied Theatre & Film, with special interests in devised theatre, Shakespeare performance, and horror film academia. India has been active in the bar/hospitality scene for a few years, most recently a part of the team at Puffin Wine Bar - she is very passionate about a good wine and is happy to yarn about it any time! As the Bar Manager, India ensures service runs smoothly, providing audiences with all the refreshments they need to enjoy the wonderful shows at BATS. [email protected]
Maeve O'Connell
Marketing and Communications Manager
Maeve studied Creative Media Production at Massey University and previously worked as the Marketing Coordinator for CubaDupa and New Zealand Fringe Festival. Maeve began working at Meow the Live Music Venue as a bartender and worked her way up in the music/theatre industry from there.
Maeve loves taking photos and collaborating with the creativity community here in Pōneke.
Alesha Ahdar
Programmer
Kia ora e te whānau!
Alesha here, having a Nick Jonas - Camp Rock 2 moment to introduce myself (IYKYK). I've been with BATS for the past 6 months as the Programming Intern under Toi Māori Aotearoa, and am stoked to now be stepping into the BATS Programmer role! Woo!
I grew up in the bustling metropolis of Te Awamutu. My whakapapa traces back to Ngāti Maniapoto, Te Arawa, Tapuika, Mulifanua & Fugalei - if this makes us cuzzies then kia ora & hows mum?? Oh, and 1 sugar, oat milk & tea bag in pls.. hahaha.
Creatively I've been a king-dabbler, trying my hand at producing, advising, writing, directing, editing & performance in theatre, film & TV. I've loved assisting in the programming of this year's Winter & Spring seasons, and I am looking forward to everyone coming to BATS & soaking up all of the talent!
Kristin Burns
Operations Manager
Kristin has called some excellent venues 'home' around the world including The Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh, Adelaide's Garden of Unearthly Delights, Auckland's Q Theatre and The Classic Comedy Club. She's worked a variety of roles in a plethora of events and brings this incredible experience to assist with 'behind the scenes' operations in the BATS office. She also gets to be a bit creative and plan fun things to help keep the building humming along between shows.
Hāmi Hawkins
Technical and Facilities Manager
Hāmi has been part of the BATS whānau for a few years now as a House Tech. We are beyond stoked to be welcoming this highly skilled, big hearted man to work with us.
"I'm a Wellington boy, born and raised in Paekakariki on the coast. I've been doing technical things of all varieties for about 13 years now, usually focusing in lighting design as that is my main passion creatively. I did a brief stint studying at Toi, before spending the last 8+ years freelancing for many different companies around Wellington as well as some national tours. I've been a house tech here at BATS for the past few years and have always found it to be my artistic home, so having this opportunity to give back to the place that has given me so much is something I'm stoked to be able to do."
Front of House Team
Our FOH team are a multi-talented bunch who you will see working at both the Box Office and bar:
- Michiel van Echten
- Molly Friis
- Salomé Neely
- Mycah Keall
- Blu Marqueses
- Emma Barrett
- Dennis Eir Lim
- Izzy Hadlow
- Anna Secker
- Lani Swann
- Lora Nankivell
- Dylan Hutton
- Sam Hearps
- Ina Rufino
House Techs
Hooray for our house techs! These guys are serious technical lifesavers.
- Darryn Woods
- Tane Hipango
- Lucas Neal
- Sam Tippet
- Benny Jennings
- Bekky Boyce
- Niamh Campbell-Ward
- Isadora Lao
- Jacob Banks
- Mady King
- Grace Newton
- Maia Ingoe
- Tymesha Cousins
- Morgan Dean
- Scott Maxim
- Alex Dickson
The BATS Theatre Board
Our volunteer board members are awesome BATS advocates and provide a brilliant range of skills and experience that keep us flying steady.
If you'd like to contact the BATS Board about strategic or governance issues you can send an email to [email protected]. Correspondence is discussed monthly at board meetings.
For urgent matters or issues relating to the day-to-day running of BATS, please contact the theatre office on (04) 802 4176 or email Chief Executive Jonty Hendry on [email protected].
Our Board Members.
- Cathie Sheat (Chair )
- Rangimoana Taylor
- Sarah Hutchings
- Prabha Ravi
- Nina Nawalowalo
- Zoe George
- Lila Māhina Black
- Ezra Seiuli
- Lucy Marinkovich
- Bri Simpson
