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 2020. Williams had led STC for over six years and is now set to take 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, with several names from Melbourne's theatre scene emerging as strong contenders. Here are some of the key figures rumoured to be in the running for the position:

1. Neil Armfield: A highly respected figure in Australian theatre, Neil Armfield has an extensive background as both a director and artistic director. He previously led the Belvoir Street Theatre from 1995 to 2001 and has directed numerous productions for major Australian theatre companies. In 2019, he was awarded the Helpmann Award for Best Direction of a Play for his production of "The Glass Menagerie" at the Sydney Theatre Company.

2. Simon Phillips: Another experienced Australian theatre director, Simon Phillips has worked extensively both locally and internationally. He has directed productions for major Australian companies such as the Melbourne Theatre Company and the Sydney Opera House. Phillips has also worked in London's West End and on Broadway. In 2019, he directed "Company" at the Melbourne Theatre Company, which received critical acclaim.

3. Marion Potts: Marion Potts is an award-winning Australian theatre director who has worked extensively with Melbourne Theatre Company and Belvoir Street Theatre. She has been the artistic director of Belvoir Street's B-Sharp program since 2018. Potts has directed numerous productions for both companies and was awarded the Helpmann Award for Best Direction of a Play for "The Wild Duck" at Belvoir Street Theatre in 2019.

4. Sarah Goodes: Sarah Goodes is an accomplished Australian theatre director who has worked with major companies such as Belvoir Street Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company. She has directed productions for both companies and was awarded the Helpmann Award for Best Direction of a Play for "The Present" at Sydney Theatre Company in 2018. Goodes was also the artistic director of Belvoir Street Theatre from 2013 to 2018.

These directors bring a wealth of experience and talent to the table and would be strong contenders for the role of artistic director at Sydney Theatre Company. However, it is important to note that no official announcements have been made regarding the appointment and speculation is ongoing.

In summary, Sydney Theatre Company is searching for a new artistic director following the departure of Kip Williams. Several prominent Australian directors from Melbourne's theatre scene have emerged as strong contenders for the role, including Neil Armfield, Simon Phillips, Marion Potts, and Sarah Goodes. These directors have extensive backgrounds in Australian theatre and have directed productions for major companies such as Belvoir Street Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company. No official announcements have been made regarding the appointment.