Dylan Cole to replace Susan Provan

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival has found its new boss, Dylan Cole.

Already an executive director of the annual event, he will take over as chief executive and festival director from Susan Provan, who had been in the job for more than three decades.

Cole was appointed following an international recruitment process. He joined the festival’s senior team in 2024, having worked across front-of-house, ticketing, event management, and commercial programming at Arts Centre Melbourne. 

Before that, he was a performer, coming ​through the festival’s Class ​Clowns and Raw Comedy development programmes, going on to perform and produce work at 13 Melbourne festivals and 29 festivals around the world.

Festival chair Bill Shannon said: ‘Dylan emerged from a highly competitive field as the outstanding candidate to lead the festival into its next era. He understands what makes this festival so special, but equally, he has a clear vision for how it can continue to evolve, grow and remain relevant for artists and audiences.

‘We are well aware of the need to embrace change and Dylan’s combination of strategic thinking, commercial acumen and genuine passion for the arts, together with his collaborative leadership style, gives the board great confidence in the festival’s future.’

Cole said: ‘The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of Australia’s great cultural success stories. I’m incredibly proud to have the opportunity to lead this festival alongside an exceptional team. 

‘We have a responsibility to honour the remarkable foundations laid over the past 40 years while boldly shaping what comes next: creating new opportunities for artists, delivering unforgettable experiences for audiences, and ensuring the festival continues to bring people together through laughter for generations to come.’

Provan, above, said: ‘From our Class ​Clowns programme [for school pupils] to CEO is an incredible trajectory, and we all wish Dylan every success in one of the best jobs in Australian showbiz.’

Cole will start as chief executive and festival director in the first week of August. Provan will remain in place until early September.

Published: 21 Jul 2026