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.
Giles Burton, Festival Director, Nelson Fringe Festival

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.
Jasmine Turner, Operations Manager Nelson Fringe Festival

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.
Sarah Wilson Marketing & Communications Manager, Nelson Fringe Festival

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.

More details and an application form will follow soon, please do join our newsletter and follow us on Facebook to get information as it comes to hand. You can also email info@nelsonfringe.co.nz and we will get back to you when we have further information.

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!