Tracy Margieson: alumni profile

Tracy lives in Melbourne with her husband Tony, step-son Darcy, and very spoilt dog, Coco. She is currently working at Arts Centre Melbourne, where she leads the Arts Wellbeing Collective, a sector-wide initiative promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in the performing arts industry. Since the Pilot Program in 2017, the Arts Wellbeing Collective has grown rapidly, and is the only program of its kind anywhere in the world. 

You graduated in 2004, what has your path been since leaving CCGS?

After graduating in 2004, I completed a Bachelor of Arts (Advanced) at the University of Sydney majoring in English (Semiotics). While I remain incredibly passionate about lexicography and semantics, I was ready for a break from studying, so began thinking about what kind of work I might want to do.

I’ve always loved the performing arts, and had been regularly visiting Melbourne for shows, so I leapt at an unexpected opportunity to relocate to Melbourne for a role in events management in 2008. Following that, I moved into a fantastic role where I managed a program of outdoor festivals, concerts and events, and even met my now-husband! 

In 2012, I completed a post-graduate in Arts and Entertainment Management at Deakin University, and we then started our own company in theatre production and tour management. Alongside producing shows, I consulted with several arts and cultural organisations before accepting the role of Marketing and Development Manager at Gasworks Arts Park. 

In 2016, I was offered the role of leading a brand new program at Arts Centre Melbourne, Australia’s largest performing arts centre – for those of you who are familiar with Melbourne, it’s the one with the Spire! 

What’s been your career highlight to date?

In 2019 I was invited to present to 600+ delegates from all over the world at the International Society for the Performing Arts Congress in New York City, and to meet with executives from a range of Broadway theatre companies, service organisations and training institutions. It was incredible, to say the least. The Congress was inspiring and thought-provoking, and everyone we met with was so generous with their time and knowledge. It was a privilege and a pleasure to be immersed in the inner workings of Broadway, and spend time in one of my most favourite places in the world.

What do you love most about your job?

I love that my role is centred on working with hundreds of performing arts practitioners, and I get to spend so much time with a lot of very special people. I love that every day is spent working on how to create a thriving, flourishing sector where everyone is enabled to do their best work. It’s my community, and I want it to be the very best it can possibly be.

How has the recent COVID-19 pandemic changed your industry?

COVID-19 significantly impacted the global performing arts industry. Closures and cancellations resulted in millions of dollars of lost revenue and lost work. The work we’re doing with the Arts Wellbeing Collective feels more needed than ever. I’m optimistic that as a sector, we’ll find an innovative and creative way through and hopefully emerge stronger and more resilient than ever.

The advice you would give your former high school self?

Keep checking in on what’s important to you, and focus on that rather than on anything you think you “should” be doing. And don’t worry too much about what job you’re going to do – it doesn’t even exist yet, but when it does, it’s awesome!