Hello from the small but dedicated 2027 Fringe Team. We’re here to help you have the best time possible and you can usually find us at the NZ Fringe Office. Make sure to stop by and say hello when you’re in the neighbourhood!
Kim is excited to rejoin the Creative Capital Arts Trust as the Chief Executive. Kim has worked in Theatre Management throughout New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Previous roles have included Regional Site Manager (Stage School Australia), Venue Manager (Turner Centre, Kerikeri), Box Office Manager (Assembly Rooms- Edinburgh Fringe). Kim currently produces for Primarily Dance and Kim Bailey Productions and since returning to New Zealand in 2020 has produced Grooves! mini tour (2020), The Nutcracker (2020 & 2021), Grooves! South Island Tour (2021), Comedy of Errors (2021), Macbeth (2021 & 2022), Pointe Shoes and ShowBiz (2022), Melodrama (2022) and premiered Mens Rea at NZ Fringe 2023. Kim was also a founding member of The Stage Door Community Theatre. Kim is an expert in harnessing the power of people to motivate, drive positive change and strategic direction, and inspires teams to exceed expectations while maintaining a happy, safe and supportive work environment.
From a young age Te Taiao and whānau have been both a source of grounding and inspiration for me. Since moving to Pōneke 5 years ago I found myself drawn to the events, music and arts space. Through my mahi with some amazing people I discovered a passion for creating safe spaces for indigneous people to express themselves through art. My goal in life is to hold space for Maori, Pasfika and other indigenous peoples to tell their stories in ways that are authentic to them. I love any excuse to celebrate and love to meet new people so if you see me out and about don't be shy and come say Hi!!
Luke Eisemann is a New York born theatre practitioner going into his sixth NZ Fringe season, and first at the helm of Festival Director. With previous experience across a number of roles at WellingtonNZ, Cuba Dupa, and the New Zealand International Film Festival, he looks to bring creative energy and passionate curiosity to the small army of artists, venues, volunteers, and partners that make up NZ Fringe. When not neck deep in festival mahi, Luke enjoys travel, both in Aotearoa and abroad, working on his veggie garden, watching his New York Knicks, and snotty criticism on the state of pizza and bagels here in New Zealand.
Catarina Gutierrez (she/her) is a silly goose who lives in Wellington. She is a multi-award winning photographer and experienced freelance marketing / community manager with an obsession for books and films. She enjoys a good board game and puzzle when not out at the cinema or the library. As a keen advocate of Wellington, she loves working in the creative sector and enjoys seeing people smile and laugh on the streets on Pōneke. Catarina also likes her coffee slow while practicing her film photography and painting in her home studio.
Freelance publicity & marketing consultant, working mainly across the music, arts and events industries. After working extensively in promotions, publicity and marketing in both the Australian and New Zealand markets, its such an honour to work with so many independent arts practitioners and organisations back in NZ. After spending nearly a decade in Australia working in the record industry, I returned to New Zealand in 2013 determined to work closely and collaboratively with my varied clients, ensuring each got the tailored and dedicated work they deserved from a publicist or marketing consultant. I work across all areas of media in New Zealand both on a national and regional scale and love the close relationships this allows me to form with both my clients and the industry. Working with the Wonderful team at the Creative Capital Arts Trust on their incredible events, is both an honour and a pleasure! Being given the chance to, allow the public to find out about, experience and enjoy Joy, through such a huge range of arts and culture, much of which is free or incredibly affordable, is amazing and is something I’m very passionate about.
