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 (he/him) has performed in Te Whanganui-a-Tara for over 10 years. Recent credits include Watch Out Gay Panda, Rent and Hector. He has a BA and a Master of Fine Arts at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, and also works behind the-scenes on a variety of creative projects.
As the Front of House Manager he is passionate about healthy work practices and sustainability in the arts. Dennis identifies 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.
Lila Black
Interim Venue Tech
Lila has been at BATS for a wee while as our casual Venue Tech, so we are very excited to have her at BATS much more often as our Interim Venue Tech!
[email protected]
021 655 128
George Wilson
Interim Programme Coordinator
George recently graduated from Massey University in Te-Whanganui-A-Tara with a Bachelor of Communications in Expressive Arts. George has always been passionate about the creative arts and storytelling. He comes from a performing arts background and has been incorporating Te Ao Māori in his performances since he was young. George has interned with us previously, and we're excited to welcome him back!
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 Worsnop (she/her, Waikato Tainui) is a freelance marketing designer, publicist and producer for theatre hailing from Tāmaki Makau-rau. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film & Theatre (2020-22), and more recently, a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre (2023-24), both from Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. India has co-owned a Fringe Award-winning independent theatre company, Stuff & Things Theatre, since August 2020. Most recently, the company presented a sold-out, world-premiere adaptation of the 2015 film The Lobster at the 2024 Six Degrees Festival. 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.
Front of House Team
Our FOH team are a multi-talented bunch who you will see working at both the Box Office and bar:
- Anna Secker
- Dylan Hutton
- Sam Hearps
- Louis Williamson-Nicholls
- Rosie Glover
- Samuel Brown
- Simon Ulm
- Nathan King
- Em Barrett
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 )
- Sarah Hutchings
- Prabha Ravi
- Nina Nawalowalo
- Zoe George
- Lucy Marinkovich
- Bri Simpson
- Hone Kouka
