Charles has extensive experience across a wide range of live creative mediums, always valuing artistic and technical excellence. His career spans commercial musical theatre, mega-events, stadium and arena shows, government projects, arts organisations and experiential strategy. Charles is primarily a producer and commercial strategist with a background in both technical direction and theatrical intellectual property.
In recent years, Charles has been Producer (Commercial & Strategy) on the Red Sea International Film Festival for TAIT Arabia, Senior Show Producer for Al Wasl Daily Productions (Expo 2020 Dubai) for Artists In Motion (among other projects), and Producer – Outdoor & Major Events for Sydney Festival, which included acting as Executive Producer on Frida Kahlo: The Life of an Icon immersive experience.
Through Sketch Evolution, projects have included Producer for Hong Kong Dance Company’s Australian Premiere and tour of The Legend Of Mulan, a Destination NSW Exclusive event for Australian Tourism Exchange providing an unique experience and “taste of NSW”, Miss Sydney and Melbourne Chinese Pageants for TVB HK, Production Consultant for Love Never Dies in Japan and Germany and subsequent tours to USA and other territories. Charles also consults for a wide range of companies in production development, experiential strategy, commercial strategy, feasibility and the creation and development of new theatrical IP both in Australia and overseas.
Charles is passionate in developing new productions and creating IP for the world stage. He has experience in raising investment and sponsorship, creating complex multi-national high-value commercial budget models and deal structures, maintaining creative integrity, identifying, creating and leveraging strategic opportunities and having a savvy and sensible approach to the business of live entertainment.
In 2016/17 Charles acted as General Manager for the hugely successful creative company Ample Projects, which conceived new precincts for one of Australia’s largest events; Vivid Sydney, as well as develop creative strategy and produce activations throughout mainland China, USA and Australia. This further led to creating and touring outdoor immersive light experiences with an underlying destination strategy for projects in France, the US and mainland China with a focus in Shanghai. Charles started engaging professionally with Asia when he worked for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s company, The Really Useful Group, planning and coordinating first class musical touring and licensing of products including The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies and CATS (among others).
When Charles co-founded Sketch Evolution more than twelve years ago, the company developed an important focus on Asia. He is a frequent visitor to Japan (and is learning to speak the language) where he consults on the import, export and development of major theatrical products, and actively looks to engage with the Japan market. Through Sketch Evolution, Charles continues to collaborate with various other partners throughout the Asia region. He is extending the company’s reach with collaborators and partners in a range of territories apart from Japan including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines. Charles’ connections also extend to the USA, UK and parts of Europe.
In Australia, Charles’ background has seen him undertake producing and management roles with companies and projects including The Australian Ballet, Vivid Sydney, Canberra Centenary Celebrations, T20 Cricket World Cup Opening Celebration and Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Ceremonies. In technical direction and coordination, he has been involved with projects including The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, Sydney New Year’s Eve, In The Heights, Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Muriel’s Wedding The Musical, Beatbox and The Fire Machine at Dreamworld, The Helpmann Awards and World AIDS Day.
Having started as a young orchestral musician and working in lighting departments throughout Sydney, Charles attended the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), with a Bachelor of Dramatic Art in Production. He has always prided himself on being able to speak both the creative and technical languages. He sees the big picture, whilst ensuring attention to detail, liaising with a variety of stakeholders in development and delivery.