The Founders

RUTH BLYTHMAN

founder and creative producer

Ruth is a classical singer and creative producer driven to create work that will foster a more inclusive, equitable and inspired society.

She holds a Business degree (majoring in Marketing and minoring in Entrepreneurship) and classical music degree from the University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Ruth then trained under scholarship at Finland's Sibelius Academy specialising in operatic repertoire. She went on to spend 18 months in Europe focussing on Opera Performance and Cultural Management funded by the Australia Council for the Arts and Creative Partnerships Australia. Through this, Ruth trained, performed and conducted research with Royal Opera House, Covent Garden (United Kingdom), Komische Oper, Staatsoper Berlin, Pirahna Arts, Radialsystem (Germany), Classical Next (The Netherlands), Palazzo delle Arti Napoli (Italy), IETM (Belgium) and Hietasaari Festival, Collarte Oy (Finland).

Producing highlights with Release Creative include: Disco Wonderland: 54 Reasons to Party (with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and West Australian Symphony Orchestra), Australasian tours of three separate productions for Sven Ratzke (German/Dutch Cabaret Artist) in major performing arts venues and festival in every state in Australia and three cities in New Zealand and the Your Theatrics International Cabaret Contest.

Performing highlights include: Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, performing Silver Rain: Illuminated Opera to 15,000 people at St Paul's Cathedral and making her Melbourne Festival debut as a featured soloist in Percy Grainger’s, Random Round. Ruth co-produced and performed in Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater under Erin Helyard's musical direction and sang Ravel's Shéhérazade for the Australian Ballet Company's Murphy with Orchestra Victoria.

In addition to her work as a performer and producer, Ruth worked as Company Manager for contemporary dance company, KAGE. During her time with the company, KAGE toured rurally, regionally, nationally and internationally. It was here that Ruth developed a passion for presenting high-quality performances to regional audiences and supporting emerging creative artists. 

She has been the recipient of the Rae Banger Award, the Walter Kirby Singing Scholarship, the Charles Melton Performing Arts Scholarship, the Frances Quinn Arts Award for Excellence in Performance, the Melbourne Global Scholars Award, State Leadership Award, the Governor General’s Certificate of Merit and was a Neapolitan Masters Competition and Herald Sun Aria finalist.

Ruth is an inaugural member of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden’s Engender Network.

ZAC TYLER

founder and creative producer

Zac is a passionate multifaceted arts professional with extensive international experience as a performer, producer, director and curator. He is driven to create new work, new spaces, and new opportunities for shared storytelling that unites and inspires

Zac studied music and media in Adelaide and then performance in Singapore where he graduated from LASALLE College of the Arts receiving the Academic Excellence Award for the school of Performing Arts. Zac toured Australasia and the South Pacific region as a performing artist whilst continuing his post-graduate studies in Arts and Entertainment Management at Deakin University.

Zac held the role of Producer at Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Commercial Ventures. For Adelaide Cabaret Festival (ACF) Zac worked closely with the Artistic Directors (Kate Ceberano, Barry Humphries, Ali McGregor and Eddie Perfect), spearheading the delivery of the Festival program, and working closely with his team and all departments to ensure a cohesive Festival experience for all artists and patrons.

Following his role at ACF, Zac was appointed Executive Producer for international theatrical touring producer, GWB Entertainment. Producing highlights with GWB Entertainment include: West Side Story (Aus, NZ, Germany), Rocky Horror Picture Show (National Tour), Swing On This, George Orwell’s 1984 (NZ, Singapore), The Music of James Bond and Thirteen Ways to Look at Birds (ft. Paul Kelly).

Directing highlights include: ACF Regional Roadshows (2014-2017), The Weill File (hosted by Robyn Archer), Songs of Love and Revolution (ACF Closing Gala), 2018 ACF Variety Gala Performance, Silver Rain: Illuminated Opera, 27 Club, Made in Adelaide Showcases in Edinburgh Fringe Festival for Arts SA (2016 & 2017), The Studio: 54 Reasons to Party with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Disco Wonderland and the inaugural Walk of Fame Gala held in Adelaide’s Festival Theatre which featured some of Australia’s most revered performing artists.