StageLync Podcast Ep. 77: Catherine Hartfield on Creative Leadership and the Future of Immersive Design
When I think back to meeting Catherine Hartfield in Wuhan around 2014, I remember instantly recognising someone who could bring order to chaos while still protecting the heart of the creative. Today, as Head of Immersive Experiences at Wētā Workshop, she’s doing that on a global scale—shaping world-class attractions through 30 years of experience in film, live entertainment, and large-scale experiential design. Catherine is known for her impeccable relationship management, cross-cultural collaboration, and ability to balance Wētā’s creative ambition with clients’ commercial realities—turning complex ideas into bold, audience-first experiences.
In our conversation, Catherine Hartfield reflects on her very non-linear path: performer, choreographer, business lead, producer, Dragone company builder, and now the force behind Wētā’s immersive division. She talks about why theatre people thrive in immersive work, how Wētā approaches emerging markets like the Middle East, and why the word impossible has no place in creative problem-solving.
We also dive into mentorship, confidence in the arts, and what she looks for in new talent. If you’ve ever wondered how a career made of many chapters can add up to meaningful leadership in our industry, Catherine’s story is a masterclass.
Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Host: Anna Robb
Editor: Rose Anne Fermocil
Music: Jeremy Willi
Design: Em Holt
Production Coordinator: Roselle Bernardo
Producers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis
Also check out: StageLync Podcast Ep. 74: Bence Vági – Redefining the Language of Circus and Dance— a deep dive with artistic director and choreographer Bence Vági on immersive worlds through circus and dance.
Editor's Note: At StageLync, an international platform for the performing arts, we celebrate the diversity of our writers' backgrounds. We recognize and support their choice to use either American or British English in their articles, respecting their individual preferences and origins. This policy allows us to embrace a wide range of linguistic expressions, enriching our content and reflecting the global nature of our community.
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