Meet Producer Jana Drummond

April 4th, 2025

We spoke to one of Patch's newest staff members, Producer Jana, about her role at Patch, her career highlights and what she's looking forward to in 2025.

Tell us about your role at Patch.

I’ve joined the Patch team as Producer, a role that often has people asking – “what the heck does that even mean?!”

Here at Patch, it means I get to be involved in so many different parts of the company which is pretty exciting. I get to help with strategising and planning out the company’s show and touring plans, which in essence has a lot to do with chatting to people about Patch’s amazing in the hope that as many kiddos (and their adults) as possible experience one of our shows! I also get to build show/tour budgets (something my inner geek ADORES), contract all the excellent creatives, cast and crew we are so lucky to work with, not to mention organise all the logistics (i.e. the “how”) of all our fabulous plans. 

The phrase “any other duties as required” also means my job can take me down some very interesting tracks which I love as it means no two days are ever the same!

What’s the best performance you’ve ever seen?

That’s a tough question! I don’t think I can single out one…

It was actually Patch’s show, The Lighthouse, that I saw when it premiered in Adelaide a few years back that inspired me to want to work in children’s theatre so I’m very grateful I got to see that one! 

Another show that also jumps to mind was Maude Davey’s My Life in the Nude. I remember so clearly being brought to tears as I watched Maude dance around in giant gorilla suit - not as funny as you would imagine but oh so very beautiful!

Made in China 2.0, also incredible. Not a lot I can say other than if you get a chance to see that show you must. 

Tooooo many others to name!

 

Tell us about your career highlights.

 It’s hard to pinpoint specific highlights as just being able to run around backstage during a festival or show has been, and still is, a pinch-me moment! 

Meeting Vika and Linda during my first year as Festival Assistant at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival was very surreal - I’ve been listening to their music since I was little so that was pretty cool. 

I also loved hitting the road with the fabulous Ashton Malcolm and Melissa Newton Turner to deliver regional education workshops for disadvantaged schools in Whyalla and Port Augusta during my time with Windmill Theatre Company. 

I also just thoroughly enjoy watching little people experience theatre and the magical interactive installations that Patch create. Seeing Patch’s Wonderverse last year with my 7-month-old really drove that home – even at that age she was completely mesmerised and I cannot wait to see what she thinks of all the work we create as she gets older!

Above: These two keep me very busy when I’m not at Patch! Top left: 2021 Adelaide Cabaret Festival snapped by the one and only Claudio Raschella. Top right: Exploring our outback in Alice Springs.

If you had to live in the fictional world of a show, movie, or book for a month, which one would you choose and why?

I feel like the obvious answer to this is Harry Potter! I was obsessed with the books as a kid – being able to levitate things and bring them to you without moving (something I dreamt of since watching The Secret World of Alex Mack), the drool-educing sound of “butterbeer” (which I always imagined tasted like a Coca-Cola spider – YUM), the tiny tents that opened into huge rooms!! Endless reasons, but the one I identify with the most these days is that in the Harry Potter universe the dishes can be doing themselves while you do something MUCH more fun.

 

What are you excited for in 2025?

We are going to be (and already are!) busy little bees this year! We have so many international tours happening across Asia which is very exciting – plus another a little further afield which we’ll keep you posted about. There is also a lot of creative work going on behind the scenes for a new show that we’ll be premiering next year and I have to say I think it’s going to be pretty special – lots of excellent collaborators on that one so keep your ears peeled. I’m also just generally excited to settle into the team here at Patch and start looking ahead to what the next couple of years will bring for this powerhouse company!