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 has performed in Te Whanganui-a-Tara for over 10 years. Recent credits include his self-devised improvised musical/stand-up hybrid Watch Out Gay Panda debuting at the 2023 NZ Fringe Festival, a choir member in Dirty Work produced by Indian Ink and a singer in Under the Spotlight by UHMT. In that time he also attained a BA and a Master of Fine Arts at Victoria University of Wellington, along with behind the-scenes work on a variety of creative projects.
As the Front of House Manager at BATS he is passionate about healthy work practices and striving to make sure everyone feels included and looked after. As an artist himself, he knows how hard getting a show off the ground can be! As a queer person of Chinese Cambodian descent, LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC representation is important to him and he believes that art can change the world for the better.
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.
Sophie Carter
ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Sophie is a writer and designer who has been a part of Pōneke's creative scene for the past three years. Originally from the UK, Sophie found herself in Aotearoa due to the pandemic and quickly embraced it as her second home. She studied English and Creative Writing at a university in Scotland and has a background in journalism, fashion design, and marketing. Growing up as a theatre fanatic, she is thrilled to be back in a theatre environment.
As the Engagement and Communications Coordinator, Sophie aims to showcase the incredible talents of artists, makers, and creators who pass through the doors at BATS, as well as highlighting the amazing venue itself.
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!
Front of House Team
Our FOH team are a multi-talented bunch who you will see working at both the Box Office and bar:
- Molly Friis
- Anna Secker
- Lora Nankivell
- Dylan Hutton
- Sam Hearps
- Louis Williamson-Nicholls
- Rosie Glover
- Samuel Brown
- John Bardwell
- Alia Marshall
- Simon Ulm
House Techs
Hooray for our house techs! These guys are serious technical lifesavers.
- Darryn Woods
- Tane Hipango
- Lucas Neal
- 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
- Lila Māhina Black
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
- Ezra Seiuli
- Lucy Marinkovich
- Bri Simpson
