Christchurch man Richard McWha has been appointed the first manager of the Opera House.
Mr McWha, who will begin work next month, has been involved in theatre all his life. He has been a dancer, actor, director, floor manager and production manager.
Mr McWha has chaired the Dance and Physical Theatre Trust, which stages the annual Body Festival in Christchurch, and he was the creative director of the Linwood Performance Company.
He has also been the production manager for Showbiz Christchurch, and he is a former trustee on the Odeon Theatre Trust.
More recently, Mr McWha was head of the performing arts department at Linwood College, and a performing arts teacher at Rangi Ruru Girls School.
Mr McWha operates his own business - Pod Arts Management Solutions - which provides management services to artists and arts organisations.
The role of Opera House manager is a new one for the Waitaki District Council.
Community services group manager Tanya Winter said the new position would ensure the Opera House reached its full potential as a theatre and conference venue.
The $9.7 million redevelopment of the opera house building started in March last year.
