Tauranga Arts Festival Trust Board takes great pleasure in welcoming Alex Ellis (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Porou, Pākehā) to the Festival Team. Alex joins the team in the newly established role of Associate Artistic Director. This role is designed to develop talent and provide support to the Artistic Director, Shane Bosher, in the programming and production of the Tauranga Arts Festival.
Alex was born and raised in Tauranga, and in 2005 formed Flaxworks theatre company with her partner Phil Ormsby, to produce original theatre and they have toured throughout Aotearoa and Australia. Some may remember Alex’s wonderful performances in Miss Jean Batten which was part of the 2019 festival programme and Drowning in Veronica Lake in 2011.
While currently based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, Alex has a strong connection to Tauranga, its history and creative community. Alex is passionate about performance and believes it is important to see and experience a wide range of artistic expression. Previous experiences touring Aotearoa and working for the Auckland Arts Festival and Auckland Live were incredibly inspiring for her and confirmed her belief that the Arts are vital to the community.
Together, Alex, Shane and General Manager Nikki Hansen will bring a diverse skill set to the development and delivery of the 2023 festival programme. Alex will travel to Tauranga throughout the year and will be based here full time during the Festival.
The board and Festival team are thrilled to have Alex make up part of the team this year as they welcome her back to Tauranga.
