Danielle O'Keefe, CEO & AD
Founder and CEO of The House that Dan Built, the joyous company that does. Passionate about passion, Danielle is an interdisciplinary contemporary artist whose site-responsive work with young female singers is being recognised and awarded internationally. Her work has been featured in collaborations through Melbourne Festival, Dark Mofo, and Sydney Festival. Danielle has worked in the Arts for over 20 years. Beginning her practice as a performer and vocalist. Danielle has in recent years honed her skills of leading, establishing a reputation as one of the country’s leading youth arts creators. A trained conductor, Danielle finished her studies in 2003 in London, retuning to Sydney to conduct the Australian Youth Choir (AYC) and held that post until 2012 when she left to adventure the great Australian Outback as the Artistic Director of Outback Theatre for Young People.
debbie zukerman, creative producer
Debbie has had a varied career in comedy, children’s theatre, acting, and production. She was co-artistic director of clown company Choo Chop Troupe where she produced cabarets, tours, and solo shows for both adults and children. She has performed at Fringe and Comedy Festivals all over the country and appears periodically in film and television. Debbie taught drama to kids for years through St. Martin’s Youth Arts Centre, Blossom Management, and many others. She studied clown at Ecole Philippe Gaulier (Paris), Meisner at Ward Studio (NYC), improvisation at ITS (Sydney) and clown at Brooklyn Movement Studio (NYC).
kath melbourne, strategic consultant
Kath spends her working life helping change makers in the creative industries get to the heart of their vision, craft the strategy to support it and connect them with the resources to make it happen.
She works deeply with those who have been historically excluded to reframe the margins of what is possible, personally, professionally and systemically. Innovators, rebels and new thinkers, but also those excluded from dominant cultural spaces due to gender, race or indigeneity.
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Based on the island of Tasmania, Kath Melbourne works all over Australia and internationally, enabling companies, government and individuals to better achieve their goals, communicate ideas, reach audiences, embed imagination and resilience, generate income and transform their thinking at all levels.
Her clients laud her for her deep and diverse sector knowledge, clear thinking smarts, holistic approach, trustworthiness and integrity. Together they consider the cross-roads as well as the possibilities that come with the question “what if we?” Kath’s processes and the outcomes she creates with her clients are notable for their grounding in respect, resilience, imagination, originality and pragmatism.
IRIS SIMPSON, DEVELOPMENT & BUSINESS MANAGER
Iris Simpson holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre) from the Victorian College of the Arts. A skilled arts producer and theatremaker, Iris has significant experience in development, having worked with Bell Shakespeare across philanthropy and corporate partnerships from 2023-2024. She served as a Programming Assistant for Midsumma, Melbourne’s premier queer arts festival, where she honed her skills in artist liasing, community engagement, and programming and curation. Iris was the Artistic Director of Muse Festival, a student-led initiative at VCA that reconnected the artistic community in the wake of Covid.
As an artist, Iris has created and performed in both theatre and film works in Melbourne and Sydney, showcasing her versatility and commitment to storytelling. Iris was an original member of The House Ensemble and has contributed as a deviser and performer for Tender Young Creatures, Salt, and Echo.
Iris brings her experience in both arts production and development to her role as Business and Development Manager, where she is passionate about fostering connections, driving growth, and championing innovative artistic initiatives.
tallulah simpson, Artistic Assistant
Tallulah Simpson is a Sydney-based performer. She has been singing and songwriting since a young age starting with The House’s Toy Choir in 2017. Tallulah was The House Apprentice in 2023 honing her skills in teaching, mentoring and arts administration. She is currently studying film-making at UTS. Her work with The House includes The Mother Project, BAGATELLE, SALT 360, REVERENCE, 100 WOMEN 100 STORIES and performing with The Houses Performance Ensemble since 2020.
scarlett gibson-williams, workshop tutor & office support
Scarlett Gibson-Williams is a member of the Ensemble at The House That Dan Built. They are a performer, singer, and songwriter. Scarlett has trained in classical and contemporary voice, and plays the violin and guitar. They trained in ballet (8 years) and contemporary dance (4 years). In 2019, their school drama group placed first at the Sydney Eisteddfods. Scarlett studied HSC music and was part of their school’s choir, Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, and chamber choir. In 2019, Scarlett took part in Gondwana National Choral School and The Gondwana World Choral Festival, giving them the opportunity to work with choirs from around the world.
