Our whānau
Our team
Giles Burton
Festival Director
Giles has been the Director of Nelson Fringe since 2021. Before that he worked on numerous Fringes and Festivals including Edinburgh, Georgia and Wellington International. He also helped set up Prague Fringe and Hong Kong Microfest.
Giles has taken just about every backstage role in theatre since starting as a stage manager in the UK. He has worked extensively as a director in the UK, Hong Kong and Aotearoa.
In Whakatū this includes Summer Shakespeares, The Wairau Affray and The Man Who Was Thursday.
He has also produced events in Whakatū including the Nelson Buskers Festival and various community events.
In Whakatū this includes Summer Shakespeares, The Wairau Affray and The Man Who Was Thursday.
He has also produced events in Whakatū including the Nelson Buskers Festival and various community events.
giles@nelsonfringe.co.nz

Jasmine Turner
Operations and Box Office Manager
Jasmine loves all things fringey.
Jasmine has been involved in Nelson Fringe since the beginning, when she presented shows in the 2015 and 2016 Fringe Festivals. She was then part of the Trust for two years before joining the Fringe as an integral member of the team.
Jasmine is the manager of Nelson Showgirl Academy. She is well-known and regarded in the national burlesque industry as a performer, host and producer.
She has worked for various youth theatre initiatives across the top of the south and has a history in theatre , dance and event management.
Jasmine currently works for the Theatre Royal Nelson and pops up at local festivals in managing and performance roles such as Te Ramaroa and for Nelson City Council events.
She has worked for various youth theatre initiatives across the top of the south and has a history in theatre , dance and event management.
Jasmine currently works for the Theatre Royal Nelson and pops up at local festivals in managing and performance roles such as Te Ramaroa and for Nelson City Council events.
operations@nelsonfringe.co.nz

Sarah Wilson
Marketing and Communications
2025 will be Sarah’s fifth Nelson Fringe Festival.
Sarah has worked in communications in Australia, UK and New Zealand on everything from start-up theatre troupes, budget short films and experimental fringe, to the pointy end of international rock stars, world-class opera, contemporary dance and avantgarde theatre.
She’s worked for leading arts organisations including Sydney Opera House, Sydney Festival, Edinburgh International Festival and National Theatre of Scotland.
Sarah works with a range of arts organisations including Adam Chamber Music Festival, Dunedin Arts Festival and Make/Shift Spaces.
She’s worked for leading arts organisations including Sydney Opera House, Sydney Festival, Edinburgh International Festival and National Theatre of Scotland.
Sarah works with a range of arts organisations including Adam Chamber Music Festival, Dunedin Arts Festival and Make/Shift Spaces.
sarah@sarahwilson.nz

Nelson Fringe Arts Charitable Trust
Debbie Brooks
Chair
Jonathon Deans
Treasurer
Cassa Grant
Trustee
Shanine Hermsen
Trustee
Rose Leighton
Trustee
Louise Morton
Trustee
Jay Pierce
Trustee
Miranda Warner
Trustee
Volunteers
Nelson Fringe relies on volunteers to help with the smooth running of the festival. Volunteers help with everything from selling tickets and ushering to helping decorate the venues and promoting shows.
At the 2025 festival, we had a fabulous team of volunteers. When we get a bit closer to the the next festival in March 2026, we'll do a call-out for volunteers.
At the 2025 festival, we had a fabulous team of volunteers. When we get a bit closer to the the next festival in March 2026, we'll do a call-out for volunteers.
Sponsors & supporters
We couldn’t exist without out trusty band of sponsors and supporters – they’re all amazing. Here are all the heroes helping to put on the 2025 festival!