Donors Adrian and Louise Nelson's relationship to theatre spans both decades and continents. As regular attendees of our donor events, the couple are passionate about the community they are a part of.
There is nothing quite like being a part of a production, especially for young people. Donors Adrian and Louise Nelson can attest to this. Louise’s relationship with theatre began in her childhood growing up in England. With relatives working on the West End, and parents who regularly took her to the theatre and ballet, Louise has always found a way to make it into the theatre. Adrian’s love of the arts also came young, an avid performer in his own school productions.
So, when the couple were looking for theatre in Melbourne, they were pleased to find that Melbourne’s art scene was as vibrant as other arts hubs of the world. Eventually, when trying to find an activity for a regular date night, a mini-subscription package felt right. But it took a while to get into the groove, always accidentally missing out on the most successful shows. The solution? A full season package, a win on many fronts for regular date nights and ensuring they catch the best shows.
The Nelsons stumbled across the donor page in our programme one day and decided to extend their arts giving. Giving back to the communities they hold dear has always been important to the pair, Adrian has been involved in Rotary Clubs for years, including as a Past President of Rotary Melbourne, and Louise has been supporting the Australian Ballet since moving to Melbourne.
When asked why they added Melbourne Theatre Company to an extensive resume of philanthropic support, one of the answers that stood out was connection. Theatre already had created an event out of a regular date night, bringing the pair together amidst their busy schedules, but becoming donors enabled them to connect with others too. As regular attendees of donor nights, the Nelsons don’t just debrief on the shows between themselves but have a group of equally passionate patrons to share their thoughts with. As lifelong theatregoers, the further insights given to donors has enriched their experiences.
In many ways, theatre has deepened Adrian & Louise’s relationship with each other, but also with the other passionate theatre lovers of Melbourne. It is a pleasure to see friendships form through shared values with the Company and we thank Adrian & Louise for being such an amazing part of that community.
It is only with the continued support of donors like Adrian & Louise that we can create world-class theatre. If you would like to make a gift, online donations can be made here, or please contact Meaghan Donaldson, Annual Giving Manager, on 03 8688 0938 or m.donaldson@mtc.com.au
Published on 29 September 2025
