Our Board
Comprised of both skilled and representative members, the WAYTCo board ensures diligent governance and oversight, whilst placing young people at the centre of decision making.
Read about our wonderful new and continuing board members below or jump to page end for a copy of the 2025 Annual Report.
Chairperson
Izzy McDonald (she/her) is a WA-based writer, director, and arts advocate. A UWA graduate in English and Cultural Studies (2015), she co-founded the award-winning theatre company Rorschach Beast and directed its debut, Girl in the Wood. Her work Dive was developed through ATYP’s National Studio and published by Currency Press (2016). She won multiple awards for her writing of Bus Boy (2016), which toured internationally, and co-directed French Overat the State Theatre Courtyard (2020). In 2022, she completed an Honours degree in Performance Making at WAAPA and directed SIT! Or I’ll Make You Sit, winning Members Choice at TBRT and Best Independent Direction PAWA. In 2024, she completed a PICA residency for her new project Diving for Dust, joined Black Swan’s FORGE writers group, and completed script development through the Inkling – Perth Playwriting Festivals writers program.
Treasurer
Kerrie-Anne King (she/her) is a Chartered Accountant and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors with over 25 years’ experience in accounting, corporate finance and governance, including work with ASX and London Stock Exchange listed entities. She specia
lises in acquisitions, due diligence, compliance and risk management. She is the Chief Financial Officer at Max Capital, a securities firm focused on capital raising and corporate finance, and also serves on the boards of Respiratory Care WA and Freeze Frame Opera, chairing Finance, Audit and Risk Committees. Kerrie-Anne is committed to supporting organisations that foster creativity, community engagement and positive social impact.
Secretary
Liam O’Neill (he/him) is a public servant working across state and local government, particularly in the governance, legislation and policy space. Liam is passionate about supporting young Western Australian artists to thrive and succeed. He likewise is passionate about supporting WAYTCo to be a well governed and managed organisation that will support generations of young Western Australian artists into the future. Liam has a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Curtin University.
Deputy Chair
Cezera Critti-Schnaars (she/her) is a proud Nyoongar-Greek theatre maker with a passion for theatre. Since completing the Aboriginal Performance Course at WAAPA (2018), she has worked with a number of companies in both acting, writing and directing roles. Performance credits: Hecate (Yirra Yaakin, 2020), Little Women (Mel & Sal and The Blue Room, 2021). Directing: YirraYaakin-WAYTCo’s Ngalaka Daa (2021, 2022); WAYTCo’s Seven Sisters for Perth Festival (2023), co-directed with James Berlyn. Awards: Best Newcomer; Best Supporting Actress (Performing Arts WA Awards, 2020)
Jesse Vakatini (he/him) is an actor and director who lives and works in Boorloo, Perth. He is currently studying at Curtin University, completing his Bachelor’s in Creative Arts (Theatre). His credits include: MEDEA (Black Swan State Theatre Company, 2019), Body Rights (WAYTCo, 2020), Beside (WAYTCo, 2021), Body Of Knowledge (WAYTCo, 2022), When The Rain Stops Falling (Hayman Theatre Company, 2023), The Persians (Hayman Theatre Company, 2023), Potluck For Penance (Hayman Theatre Company, 2024), The Lake (2023), Self-Preservation (2024), Drug Money (2024), Django (2024), All Boys (Every Other Theatre Company, 2024) and Manna (2025).
Mohammed ‘Ayo Busari’ (he/him) is an award-winning visual artist, community arts producer, writer, performer, curator, and disability support worker. He co-founded The Outsiders, which produces shows like An Evening of African Poetry & Storytelling and Our Stories, Our Motherland. Ayo also founded blue joy theatre co, which produces development programs and shows that support early-career artists. Ayo holds a BA (Hons) in Journalism & Media, currently works as Communications Coordinator at The Blue Room Theatre, and serves on the boards of the Western Australian Youth Theatre Company (WAYTCo) and Regional Arts WA.
Emily Martin (She/Her) Emily has worked as an entertainment lawyer for over 20 years in Sydney London and most recently back in her home town of Perth. Emily worked for many years as inhouse senior counsel at the Sydney Opera House and at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Emily is passionate about story telling in all its forms, particularly live theatre. Emily has also completed a Masters in Arts Administration at Goldsmiths, University of London including a stint working at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre in the West End.
Christopher Williams work spans performance, live art, installation, experimental art, CACD and socially engaged practices. An original member of pvi collective as both artist and performer till 2021. pvi make tactical media artwork intent on the creative disruption of everyday life. As lead artist, Chris was responsible for the co-devising, presentation and touring of works. Highlights included seasons with PIAF, Sydney Biennale, Malmo Festival [Stockholm], Symposium of Electronic Art [Sydney]. Chris is currently Director of Arts at DADAA, bringing contemporary practices to disadvantaged communities across Perth, regional WA and internationally; with a focus on creating space for marginalised voices, in everyday, alternative and performative settings.
Tim Carter (he/him) is a creative programmer, producer and artist born and based in Boorloo/Perth, WA. He is interested in experimental and inclusive arts experiences across visual art and live work. Tim has a Bachelor of Arts (Art), First Class Honours and holds a video-installation practice. He worked at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) across several roles and was instrumental in its performance model transition from “venue for hire” to co-presentation, initiating a new box office revenue model. As Business Manager, he developed PICA’s successful multi-year state and federal funding cycles (2017 & 2021) and its progression from primary visual arts funding to a multi-arts organisation. Tim currently works at the City of Joondalup managing its visual arts portfolio and art collection, along with independently producing WA performance projects.
Donna Hughes (she/her) is an award-winning playwright and drama educator with over 20 years’ experience in classroom teaching and leadership. Accomplished in the development, design and implementation of curriculum across Years’ 7-12. She currently works as the Education Consultant for Australian Plays Transform. Her plays for young people have been performed at schools nationally and internationally. Trackers won an AWGIE, was shortlisted for the WA Premier’s Book Awards, and is published by Currency Press. Her play Disconnected is also published by Australian Plays Transform. Hit Delete won the Martin Lysicrates Prize in 2022. Donna is part of Black Swan’s emerging writers’ program and the recipient of the 2025 Piggy-Back-Draft Commission.
Natalie Bell (she/her) is an experienced executive leader across the arts, government and community sectors. She is recognised for strengthening governance, leading organisational transformation and delivering complex operations with clarity and purpose. With an MBA and specialist training in governance and risk, she brings disciplined, evidence‑based decision‑making to high‑stakes environments. Natalie is committed to community impact and inclusion, building strong partnerships across creative, education and government sectors and championing opportunities for people of all ages.