John Glenn’s best life
Theatre producer, director and manager John Glenn stepped away from his high-powered career in the past few years to reassess what is important to him, creating space for exciting opportunities, better health and new people to come into his life.
Give us a brief insight into what you do?
I have a dual life. I run a company called Hey Dowling with my business partner Peta Spurling-Brown and we create, manage, produce and tour theatre shows nationally and internationally. We work with artists who have stories we think should be told. Currently we are working on a new show with Noni Hazlehurst called The Lark which will have a world premiere in Melbourne this September.
I also work as an Executive Producer for the wonderful Brink Productions, a 30-year-old South Australian theatre making company based in Adelaide. We are currently undertaking a national tour of Looking for Alibrandi which started here with a sold-out season in Adelaide and now tours on to 11 other venues nationally.
In my “spare time” I am also Chair of Music SA the association representing the voice of the contemporary music industry in South Australia, and I’m also on the Board of PAC Australia which represents the touring network for producers, presenters and venues throughout Australia.
What brings you joy in life?
My daughter, my fiancé Tatiana Hotere, her daughters and our dog/fur child are my primary sources of joy. We live just near Hutt Street so we love the morning walks with our doggie in Victoria Park and all the cafes and bars of Hutt and Rundle Streets. I have two different offices in the CBD and I love walking to work and everywhere. I am a devourer of all types of music – my first career was as a musician in Adelaide from 1988-1995.
What is your most treasured photograph and why?
Any and all photos of my daughter would probably suffice for this question but I keep going back to the day I took her on a Rivercat on the Brisbane River in 2014 and she went straight to the front of the ferry, where I always stand on any ferry I ever go on. The look of joy on her face as the wind hit her always makes me melt.
What is the hardest lesson you’ve had to learn ?
I have been in very senior jobs at major performing arts venues throughout Australia and the higher up the chain I got, the less I felt connected to the art of what I was presenting. I seriously think the hours and pressure of my job were just about killing me, too. I had to stop to realise that first and foremost I want to be “in the room” when great performing art and shows are made. Hence why I just stopped and restarted my career to focus on what made me happy. Doing that helped me work out what work-life balance could look like and as a result a lot of great things and people have come into my life. A better relationship with my daughter, a new partner, deeper connection to my chosen career, better health and I hope less of an ego are just some of the great outcomes of making such a big change.
Top five songs on your play list
Ruby – Tim Minchin
Lose Control – Young Franco, EARTHGANG and Jafunk
Gravity – Sara Bareilles
Die With a Smile – by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
Rainbow – by Louis Baker
My life philosophy is ….Lose the ego, stay healthy and be of service to others.
