Andrew Upton Ends Eight Years with Sydney Theatre Company; Hunt Begins for New Artistic Director

Sydney Theatre Company Artistic Director Andrew Upton will step down at the end of this year.

The company, which is beginning its search for a new artistic director, posted the following announcement on its website:

"As Andrew Upton's three year term draws to a close at the end of 2015, the Sydney Theatre Company Board has commenced recruitment for a new Artistic Director. This brings to conclusion Andrew's eight years as at the helm of Sydney Theatre Company; five as co-Artistic Director with Cate Blanchett and three solo.

"An appointment is anticipated in the next six to eight months, and we will of course let you know when the time comes. The new Artistic Director will start planning our 2017 season while overseeing Andrew's final program for STC throughout 2016.

"Today, STC Chairman David Gonski said: 'Andrew Upton has been an exceptional Artistic Director on all fronts, evident in part by the response from our audiences: this year's program is already breaking box office records. The STC board is determined to find the best possible new Artistic Director to steer the course of our great theatre company through its next phase. Needless to say, Andrew's are big shoes to fill and finding his successor is a key priority for the board.'

"Andrew is currently in rehearsals for his production of Endgame featuring Hugo Weaving, opening early April, before he oversees Waiting for Godot in London. In August, The Present, his new version of Chekhov's first play, opens at Roslyn Packer Theatre Walsh Bay and his final STC program will be announced on 3 September 2015.

"The next Artistic Director will be STC's sixth in our 30 year history. Many of you will recall that in August 2012 STC Chairman David Gonski announced that Andrew Upton had accepted an invitation to stay on for a further three year term as Artistic Director until the end of 2015. His and Blanchett's joint tenure was from 2008 - 2012, following Robyn Nevin (1999 - 2007), Wayne Harrison (1990 - 1999) and Richard Wherrett (1978 - 1990).

"Under Andrew's artistic leadership, STC has attracted artists at the top of their game working alongside those forging new and emerging careers. The diverse program has included award-winning new Australian plays - most recently, Switzerland and Kryptonite. Ambitious productions such as Cyrano de Bergerac, which Andrew adapted and directed, Children of the Sun in a new production of his adaptation, and the just-opened Suddenly Last Summer have been received with audience and critical acclaim. And, we have taken STC productions to international audiences with Andrew's co-adaptation of The Maids a hit in New York last year, and his production of Waiting for Godot destined for the Barbican in London this June.

"Last year, for another successful show, The Long Way Home which toured across Australia, Upton and STC were awarded a Special Commendation by General David Hurley (then Chief of Defence) - the first time a non-Defence organisation has been so honoured. And during his watch, through his resident artists program, directors and designers such as Kip Williams, Sarah Goodes, Sarah Giles, Renée Mulder and David Fleischer, have developed from the small scale to the main stage.

"Alongside many artistic milestones throughout Andrew's tenure, STC's achievements initiated throughout the Upton/Blanchett era and consolidated during Andrew's solo tenure have included the development and roll-out of School Drama, an innovative in-schools education program, become a global leader in sustainable performing arts practice with the award-winning Greening The Wharf program and launched Suncorp Twenties, providing cheap tickets to every performance of all STC shows.

"We hope you join us in wishing Andrew success in his next endeavours. In the meantime we are very much looking forward to the rest of our 2015 season, and his final program for 2016."