Strong Leaves Griffin for One of Three New MTC Roles

Griffin Theatre Company (Sydney) today (June 21, 2012) announced the resignation of Artistic Director Sam Strong, who has accepted the role of Associate Artistic Director at Melbourne Theatre Company. Sam will program Griffin’s 2013 season, which is being announced on 3 September, and then finish up at the end of 2012.

Strong is one of three new artistic appointments also announced by Melbourne Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, Brett Sheehytoday: Sam Strong as Associate Artistic Director, Leticia Cáceres as Associate Director and Chris Mead as Literary Director.

On accepting Strong’s resignation, Griffin Theatre Company Chair Michael Bradley says, “Griffin’s loss is MTC’s gain. While we are very sad to be losing Sam, we are delighted he will be continuing to play a central role in shaping Australian theatre in his Melbourne home.

“Sam has delivered to Griffin everything we hoped and more. The company has enjoyed unprecedented critical success and audience growth, including several sold out productions. Griffin’s reach has continued to broaden with the introduction of innovative programs designed to further the company’s role as a nurturer of creative talent, and particularly new Australian writing which is of course our core.  Taking a theatre company to new heights while remaining completely true to its ethos isn’t an easy task, but Sam has achieved that. He leaves Griffin positioned perfectly to continue its journey as Australia’s home of new theatrical writing and we are excited by the prospect of what lies ahead,” Bradley said.

Strong’s achievements as Artistic Director include: 

On leaving the role he has fulfilled since 2010, Strong says, “This has been a very difficult decision for me. I am lucky to have been associated with the great company that is Griffin and have enjoyed my time here immensely. The SBW Stables is the most unique theatre space in Sydney and it has been a privilege to create work in it.

“Two years ago we set out to stage the highest quality theatre, to make the company as accessible as possible, and to reach wider and new audiences. I’m thrilled with what we have achieved on all fronts and thank everyone involved, from the passionate Griffin board and staff, to all our wonderful artists, and our cherished supporters and audiences. I am confident to be leaving the company in the excellent hands of General Manager Simon Wellington and Chair Michael Bradley. Now, I’m looking forward to getting back to work for the rest of the year at Griffin and to programming a stellar third and final season.

“I am very excited to return to Melbourne to contribute to the national theatrical conversation in a new era at Melbourne Theatre Company. Brett Sheehy is one of the country’s great arts leaders and I’m looking forward to working with him and wonderful practitioners, Chris Mead and Leticia Cáceres,’ said Sam Strong.

In announcing the three new artistic roles at the MTC, Brett Sheehy said, “I am very excited that three artists of such extraordinary calibre are joining MTC to create one of the most dynamic artistic teams in the country. This is a great coup for MTC, and I and the entire MTC team are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work with Leticia, Sam and Chris in this way, as we collectively take the Company forward into the next stage of its long and illustrious life.”

Director Leticia Cáceres is co-founder of the highly acclaimed, RealTV.

‘I’m thrilled to have been appointed Associate Director of one of the most prestigious theatre companies in the country. This is an important milestone in my career as a theatre director,’ Leticia Cáceres said.

“I am looking forward to collaborating with Brett, Chris and Sam, all of who are highly acclaimed practitioners whose work I respect and admire. I am sure our time together will be very stimulating and immensely rewarding, not just for me, but for Melbourne Theatre Company and its audiences.”

Cácereswill direct for the main stage, develop initiatives for MTC’s education programs, and investigate and enable creative opportunities, in particular for women directors.

Melbourne Theatre Company’s new Literary Director, Chris Mead comes to the company from his previous roles as Artistic Director of PlayWriting Australia, and Literary Manager with Sydney Theatre Company and Company B Belvoir.

Chris Mead said, “After six years of national play development and the joy and challenges of starting up a new organisation with PlayWriting Australia, I am hungry to get back into the business of plays moving regularly from the rehearsal room to the stage. I am thrilled to be a part of such an august and time-honoured institution as Melbourne Theatre Company and all this is made more sweet as I’ll be joining a dynamic, electric team.

"Making theatre is only possible when it is built with real passion and genuine collaboration – and in this team, led by the passionate, collaborative Brett Sheehy, I am looking forward to being a part of creating a virtuous circle of the good begetting the bold and brilliant. This is good for artists and great for audiences,"  said Mead.

Brett Sheehy said, “I look forward to the extraordinary contribution each will make to our activities in 2013, and to the program we will develop together for 2014.”