Welcome ATYP’s New Artistic Director & CEO
The Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) Board wishes to thank all the leaders in the youth arts sector who generously took part in the recruitment process for the ATYP Artistic Director & CEO. After a call out for expressions of interest, three rounds of interviews were held with a panel before a decision was made.
It is with great pleasure that the ATYP Board announces the appointment of Hayden Tonazzi as the new Artistic Director & CEO. Throughout the recruitment process, Hayden showed an extensive understanding of the position, illustrating a keen balance between the running of the organisation as a leader, and creating an artistic vision that provides a platform to establish the next generation of Australia’s writers, directors, actors, and artists.
Hayden comes with a deep knowledge of the organisation and a wealth of artistic experience. They were appointed Associate Director & Creative Producer after holding the position of Artistic Associate since 2023 at ATYP. During this time with ATYP, Hayden directed Converted! by Vic Zerbst for the 2025 Sydney Festival, Shack by George Kemp, produced Saplings by Hannah Belanszky for the 2024 Sydney Festival, and the national tour of Past The Shallows adapted by Julian Larnach (from the award-winning debut novel by Favel Parrett). Hayden has also been responsible for ATYP’s Generator: Regional Connections Program, mentoring 12 teaching artists across regional NSW to deliver two years of drama workshops for more than 700 young people.
Outside of ATYP, Hayden has done significant work directing and developing new Australian writing, with credits including Pickled بيكلد for PYT Fairfield and Downstairs Belvoir, the last train to Madeline by Callum Mackay for Fever103, and This Genuine Moment by Jacob Parker for La Mama and the Old 505. As Co-Artistic Director and Producer for the Lysicrates Foundation, they have been responsible for commissioning and developing the winners of the Lysicrates and Martin-Lysicrates Prize from 2022 – 2024.
Hayden says they are honoured to take on this appointment.
“For over 60 years, ATYP has empowered young people, including myself, to find their voice and claim a place in the world through theatre. It was a company that was there to support my first steps as a director, and I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to continue that work with the next generation of storytellers,” says Hayden.
Hayden will commence the role in the coming weeks, and will begin work on implementing a creative program to be released later this year.
— The ATYP Board
Image: Campbell J Parsons