09/09/2026
🎭🎯 MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM: DARYL ‘DK’ KIRKNESS – DIRECTOR 🎯🎭
With ASSASSINS opening THIS FRIDAY, we introduce the man at the helm of Red Tree Theatre’s production – Director Daryl ‘DK’ Kirkness.
With more than 45 years of experience across the performing and visual arts, DK has built an extraordinary career as a director, designer, producer, stage manager, mentor and arts advocate.
His contribution to the arts extends far beyond the stage. Daryl has led award-winning reconciliation and youth engagement initiatives, mentored generations of emerging artists and been recognised with the Gosford City Council Australia Day Award for Arts & Culture, Central Coast Volunteer of the Year Award, and induction into the Australasian Community Theatre Hall of Fame.
His directing credits span an enormous range of productions and projects, including the Great South Land reconciliation project, Australian and world premieres including Tapestry and Paris, and productions of Pippin, Candide, Chicago, West Side Story, Man of La Mancha, We Will Rock You, A Christmas Carol, The Addams Family, Priscilla, Spamalot, Radium Girls and many more.
As founding director of the Central Coast Gang Show, DK led the production for a decade, mentoring Scouts and Guides and helping young performers discover the magic of theatre.
And his creative talents certainly don't stop at directing.
As a designer, DK has worked on more than 170 productions, with experience encompassing scenic construction, props, costumes, lighting, multimedia, puppetry and special effects. Throughout his career, he has developed a reputation for tackling complex and unusual theatrical challenges – which makes a musical like ASSASSINS a particularly fascinating fit.
Now DK brings that lifetime of experience to one of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s most daring works.
Darkly funny, provocative and unconventional, ASSASSINS brings together presidential assassins and would-be assassins from across American history in a surreal carnival world, exploring obsession, disillusionment, notoriety and the darker side of the American Dream.
After months of creativity, collaboration and rehearsal, DK and his incredible cast and creative team are almost ready.
The carnival opens tomorrow. 🎯
🎭 ASSASSINS
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by John Weidman
Directed by Daryl ‘DK’ Kirkness
Musical Director – Andrew Worboys
Choreographer – Darren Disney
Costume Designer – Richard Jeziorny
📅 11–27 September 2026
📍 Red Tree Theatre
🚨 OPENS TOMORROW!
🎟️ BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW!
https://redtreetheatre.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/155522
🎯 Everybody’s got the right to be happy…
