A Unique
Collective
of Experts
Our Team
In our project teams are theatre and event makers whose skills and expertise marry their extensive experience. Our teams are led by Craig Donnell and Sandra Chipchase.
Our People
Craig Donnell
Managing Director
Craig is one of Australia’s most experienced theatre and event producers, known for his relentless pursuit of excellence that enhances performances, performers, investors, license holders, audiences, and colleagues. With a unique blend of on-stage and behind-the-scenes experience, Craig brings a comprehensive understanding to his producing work.
After stepping off the stage, Craig began producing his own events and concerts, eventually joining one of Sydney’s leading exhibition and events companies. There, he managed major brand initiatives for commercial players in the food, beverage, and gaming industries, including Arnott’s, Campbell’s Australia, and International Game Technology.
Craig then transitioned to a career in commercial real estate development, culminating in the construction of Bounce Hotel at Sydney’s Central Station. Bounce won numerous international awards and was named one of the top 50 best-designed budget hotels in the world.
The allure of theatre eventually drew Craig back, leading him to present world-renowned tenor Placido Domingo in New Zealand with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Kathryn Jenkins in support. The concert sold out in less than two hours, allowing Craig to donate over $300,000 to help rebuild the Court Theatre in Christchurch, which had been badly damaged by earthquakes the previous year.
Craig then returned full-time to his theatre roots, working as Executive Producer and General Manager with The Gordon Frost Organisation, Opera Australia, David Ian Productions (UK), Warner Brothers Theatrical, Gilbert Theatrical, and Melbourne Theatre Company. He also produced various titles, including the Australian tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Highlights of Craig's career include Driving Miss Daisy starring Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones, Evita starring Tina Arena and Paolo Szot, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum starring Geoffrey Rush, the first international production of the eight-time Tony Award winner Once – A New Musical, We Will Rock You starring Casey Donovan, the world premiere of Dream Lover: The Bobby Darin Musical starring David Campbell (now Broadway-bound), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as The Sound of Music, Grease, and many more.
Sandra Chipchase
Head of Business Development
Sandra has an outstanding career in international and domestic tourism, and major events. She has lived and worked in Europe and the USA (Frankfurt, Chicago and New York) with Tourism Australia and was Executive Director of World Expo 2000 in Hanover, Germany for Australia. Prior roles include CEO of the Melbourne Convention & Visitors Bureau and most recently as Board Director and CEO Destination New South Wales, the State Government’s tourism and major events agency, with 220 staff and 14 international offices in Asia, NZ, Europe and the USA. Sandra also served concurrently as Executive Producer of the renowned Vivid Sydney Festival – the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas.
Sandra oversaw the organisation’s investment in, and marketing support of, musical and theatrical productions such as Matilda, Lion King, Legally Blonde, Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom, Evita, the Dame Julie Andrews directed My Fair Lady, Disney’s Frozen, Beautiful, Dreamlover – The Bobby Darin Musical and Hamilton.
Sandra has spearheaded multiple partnership agreements with airlines, tourism wholesalers, national and international sports organisations, music festivals, media organisations, film and television production houses and worked with some of the biggest global brands to secure business opportunities e.g. VISA, American Express, Warners Bros, Disney, Manchester United, Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, Major League Baseball, NBC, News Ltd, China Union Pay, Westpac, Sony Music, Samsung and Intel.
Sandra has extensive Board experience, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and recently served as Chair of the Australian Government’s Bushfire Recovery Events Grants program and Chair of its Business Events Covid Recovery grants program. Sandra is also currently serving on the Council of the National Museum of Australia.
Image credit: Destination NSW, world class talent from Limelight & Limelight Academy Masterclass transform The Concourse, Chatswood using 3D projection mapping art. Copyright Destination NSW.