New Leadership Team Announced for State Theatre Company of SA

State Theatre Company of South Australia (STCSA) has announced Geordie Brookman and Rob Brookman as the incoming Artistic Director and CEO/Producer of the company respectively.

State Theatre Company Chair, John Irving, said the appointments marked a new era in the Company’s long and proud history.

“We are very happy to have secured Rob and Geordie Brookman for the Company. The duo bring many years of combined experience, having worked at some of the major arts organisations in Australia. Geordie is recognised as one of the most interesting young Directors in the country and Rob is a highly respected figure in Australian theatre,” Mr Irving said.

“We live in a rapidly changing world and the experience of Rob and Geordie will be crucial in implementing the changes that will need to take place for State Theatre Company to continue to play its role as one of the premier theatre companies in the country. We believe we can stake out a reputation nationally and internationally as a company where great artists want to work.”

A former Artistic Director of the Adelaide Festival and founder of WOMADelaide, Rob Brookman comes to the Company after an eleven year tenure as General Manager of Sydney Theatre Company working alongside first Robyn Nevin and subsequently Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton.

Geordie returns to State Theatre Company after a previous three year stint as its Associate Director and with experience directing  at most of the major Australian theatre companies including Belvoir, Malthouse, Sydney Theatre Company and Queensland Theatre Company.

Incoming Artistic Director Geordie Brookman is excited about the opportunity that lies ahead.

“I’m thrilled to rejoin State Theatre Company as its new Artistic Director. The appointment comes at an exciting time in the Company’s development and I can’t wait to lead it into a position of increased local, national and international relevance. Building on the proud foundations built by our predecessors and through utilising the depth and talent of our local artists, I look forward to making State Theatre Company into one of the most innovative, brave and ambitious companies in the country. To embark upon this project alongside Rob makes it all the more exciting.”

Incoming CEO/Producer Rob Brookman hopes to use his well established networks and contacts across the country and around the world to help showcase the Company’s work.

“I am delighted to be returning home to join the State Theatre Company in its fortieth year. I look forward to the challenge of building upon its distinguished history and helping carve out a distinctive niche for the Company on the Australian theatre scene, while delivering great theatrical experiences to our audiences. While I have worked across the whole gamut of the performing arts and festivals, theatre is my first love and it was my dream as a 20 year old to one day manage the State Theatre Company. To now be able to do that in partnership with Geordie goes well beyond that dream.”

Mr Irving said the recruitment process had been extensive and the selection process thorough. “We received applications locally, nationally and internationally and the quality was extremely high,” Mr Irving said.

The new executive team will officially begin at the end of March, with the first priority being to develop the 2013 program for the Company.