Recently returned to Patch following maternity leave, Krystle has been volunteering and working in the arts industry since 2010. Particularly passionate about complex formulas in spreadsheets and content creation, she has tinkered in almost every arts festival in Adelaide and Edinburgh. She’s excited to return to the Patch team in Marketing and Development.

What drew you to a career in the arts?

I discovered the arts in my early 20s and I remember thinking, how can I have this vibrancy in my life every day? My job at a corporate NGO wasn’t that exciting, so I went about volunteering at just about every arts festival in Adelaide. I got to know the industry, the people in it, and generally had a great time. I was pretty excited when I landed my first paid arts marketing role. Being behind the scenes helping patrons discover the arts and artists succeed is still incredibly satisfying. I’ve moved around the world but never moved industries and hopefully never will.

What do you love most about children’s theatre?

Children’s theatre feels so refreshing - from what happens in the performance space right through to how children consume it. Adult theatre can get pretty complicated sometimes, and it’s nice to have space for interpretation and personal application. I’m looking forward to seeing more children’s theatre than ever before as I co-view with my daughter Edie.

What could you give a 30-minute presentation about with no advance preparation?

Greyhound adoption. I wanted to foster greyhounds to help facilitate their transition from racing industry life to pet life. When I picked up the greyhound I was allocated to foster, I fully intending to return him after my facilitation job was complete, but I couldn’t. I’d fallen in love with the sleepiest – like 23-hours-a-day sleepy –, walk obsessed, zoomiest, goodest longboi ever. Tex was the resident Patch office dog in 2019. I’m pretty sure there’s high demand for his return in 2021. But until then, his Instagram can fill the void.

If you could only eat one dish for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A pick ’n’ mix big breakfast. Pick ‘n’ mix because I always want bacon, halloumi and avocado, but never chorizo, and that combination is rarely seen on a brunch menu.

What is your favourite Patch memory?

Definitely sharing Patch with my daughter Edie. I took her to the premiere of The Lighthouse at Adelaide Festival in 2020 when she was just 4 weeks old. When I had to start maternity leave early, I missed being able to work on the final weeks of The Lighthouse. It was disappointing to miss after seeing multiple creative developments, constantly talking about the show in the office and working on plans for various functions. But it was even more special to introduce Edie to Patch through The Lighthouse. I hope the introduction helps to inspire her with a lifelong love of the arts, and Patch!