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 seven 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 key positions in Melbourne's arts scene. Here's a look at some of the contenders:

1. Neil Armfield: A highly respected figure in Australian theatre, Armfield has previously served as artistic director at both Belvoir Street Theatre and the Sydney Theatre Company. He has won numerous awards for his work as a director and producer. In recent years, he has been based in Melbourne where he has been artistic director at the Melbourne Festival since 2018.

2. Marion Potts: Potts is currently the artistic director at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre. She has an extensive background in theatre, having worked as a director, designer, and producer. Potts has been at Malthouse since 2016 and has been instrumental in shaping its artistic direction.

3. Kate Cherry: Cherry is currently the artistic director at Perth's Black Swan State Theatre Company. She has previously worked at Belvoir Street Theatre and the Sydney Theatre Company. Cherry has won multiple awards for her work as a director and has been praised for her innovative and thought-provoking productions.

4. Sam Strong: Strong is currently the artistic director at Brisbane's Queensland Theatre. He has previously worked at Belvoir Street Theatre and the Sydney Theatre Company. Strong has won numerous awards for his work as a director and has been praised for his ability to bring contemporary Australian stories to life.

5. Eamon Flack: Flack is currently the artistic director at Melbourne's MTC Neil Armfield Theatre. He has previously worked at Belvoir Street Theatre and the Sydney Theatre Company. Flack has won multiple awards for his work as a director and has been praised for his ability to create productions that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.

These directors have all made significant contributions to the Australian theatre scene and would bring a wealth of experience and talent to the Sydney Theatre Company. However, it is important to note that at this stage, none of these directors have been officially announced as the new artistic director. The appointment is expected to be made in the coming months.

In summary, the Sydney Theatre Company is considering several prominent Australian directors for the role of artistic director, including Neil Armfield, Marion Potts, Kate Cherry, Sam Strong, and Eamon Flack. All have impressive backgrounds and have made significant contributions to the Australian theatre scene. The appointment is expected to be made in the coming months.