Will Sydney poach one of Melbourne’s leading creatives to fill a key job?

Sydney Theatre Company (STC), one of Australia's leading cultural institutions, has been searching for a new artistic director following the departure of Kip Williams in late 2021. Williams had led STC for over six years and is now taking up the role of artistic director at the Belvoir Street Theatre in Surry Hills, Sydney.

The search for his successor has attracted a number of prominent Australian directors, some of whom currently hold significant positions in Melbourne's arts scene. Here's a brief overview of the contenders:

1. **Andrew Upton**: A long-time collaborator with Cate Blanchett and former co-artistic director at the Sydney Theatre Company (2008-2018), Upton has been the artistic director at Melbourne's MTC since 2019. He has directed numerous productions for both STC and MTC and has been instrumental in shaping the artistic direction of both companies.

2. **Simon Stone**: Stone is currently the artistic director at Belvoir Street Theatre in Surry Hills. He has previously worked with STC as a resident assistant director and has directed several productions for both STC and Belvoir. Stone's innovative and contemporary approach to classical texts has earned him critical acclaim.

3. **Eamon Flack**: Flack is the artistic director at Melbourne's MTC. He has directed numerous productions for MTC and STC and has been praised for his ability to bring contemporary relevance to classic texts. Flack's tenure at MTC has seen an increase in the number of new Australian works being produced.

4. **Leticia Cáceres**: Cáceres is an award-winning director and writer who currently holds the position of associate artistic director at Belvoir Street Theatre. She has directed productions for both Belvoir and STC and has been praised for her ability to bring diverse voices and perspectives to the stage.

5. **Kate Champion**: Champion is the artistic director at Sydney Dance Company. She has previously worked with STC as a guest director and has directed numerous productions for both STC and Sydney Dance Company. Champion's innovative approach to integrating dance and theatre has earned her critical acclaim.

These directors bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives to the table. While it is not confirmed that any of them will be offered the position at STC, their inclusion in the list of contenders is a testament to their significant contributions to Australian theatre. Ultimately, the decision will be based on various factors including artistic vision, leadership qualities, and fit with STC's mission and values.

It is important to note that this information is based on publicly available sources and is subject to change as the search for a new artistic director continues. The final decision is expected to be announced in the coming months.