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Sydney Theatre Company

Coordinates: 33°51′18″S 151°12′21″E / 33.855087°S 151.205757°E / -33.855087; 151.205757
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sydney Theatre Company
IndustryTheatre
Founded1979; 45 years ago (1979)
Headquarters,
ProductsProductions
Websitewww.sydneytheatre.com.au

Sydney Theatre Company (STC) is an Australian theatre company based in Sydney, New South Wales. The company performs in The Wharf Theatre at Dawes Point in The Rocks area of Sydney as well as the Roslyn Packer Theatre (formerly Sydney Theatre)[1] and the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre.

History

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Sydney Theatre Company was formed in December 1978, following the closure of the Old Tote Theatre Company the month before.[2] The then premier, Neville Wran, approached Elizabeth Butcher who had been seconded from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) to administer the Old Tote and asked her to set up a new state theatre company to perform in the drama theatre of the Sydney Opera House. Butcher established its legal identity and managerial structure and proposed the name 'Sydney Theatre Company' with John Clark (director of NIDA as the artistic adviser of the first season, five theatre companies were invited to produce six plays to be presented by STC as the 1979 interim season in the drama theatre. The first production, by the Paris Company, was A Cheery Soul by Patrick White (an Australian Nobel Laureate for Literature), directed by Jim Sharman and featuring Robyn Nevin as Miss Docker.

In June 1979, Richard Wherrett, then one of Nimrod Theatre's co-artistic directors, was appointed artistic director of STC to plan and organise activities for the 1980 season. The first STC-produced play was The Sunny South (1 January 1980) by George Darrell with music by Terence Clarke, directed by Richard Wherrett and assisted by John Gaden.

In its early years the company operated out of several rented premises around the city, producing 38 productions in five separate venues. Elizabeth Butcher, STC administrator, was given the task of finding one location that could house all the activities of the company, and a theatre. After an extensive search, Butcher had the vision to propose the derelict Walsh Bay Wharf 4/5 as STC's new home, immediately envisaging the capacity of the building to fulfil all requirements of space, location and additional venue. On 12 September 1983, the premier, Neville Wran, announced that the state government had approved the expenditure of $3.5 million to finance the project. The 60-year-old ironbark timber wharf warehouse was converted into premises suitable for creating, producing, performing and enjoying theatre.

The Wharf was officially handed over to STC in a plaque-unveiling ceremony on 13 December 1984. In 1985, The Wharf, by architects Vivian Fraser in association with NSW Govt Architect JW Thomson, won the Sir John Sulman Medal awarded by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) for a work of excellence in public and commercial architecture. The first STC production in The Wharf Theatre (now Wharf 1), 17 January 1985, was Late Arrivals by Pamela van Amstel and directed by Wayne Harrison in his directorial debut. (Harrison went on to become the second artistic director of the company, in 1990.) The play was part of a season of one-act plays called Shorts at the Wharf.

Other performing arts companies and organisations later moved into the premises at The Wharf, including Sydney Dance Company, Ausdance, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Gondwana Choirs, Sydney Children's Choir, Australian Theatre for Young People, and Bangarra Dance Theatre. Nearly 25 years later The Wharf was presented the RAIA 25-Year Award for Enduring Architecture.[3]

Directors working regularly for STC include Gale Edwards, Barrie Kosky, David Berthold, Neil Armfield, Benedict Andrews and Kip Williams.[when?] Many Australian actors who would later find wider success, such as Hugo Weaving, Geoffrey Rush, Cate Blanchett, Jacqueline McKenzie, Richard Roxburgh and Toni Collette, established their careers in STC productions.

Jo Dyer was executive producer of STC for ten years.[4]

In January 2024, Alan Joyce who was also the CEO of Qantas, resigned. [5]

Artistic directors

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Year Artistic Director(s)[3] Notes
1978–79 Elizabeth Butcher STC Administrator
1979 John Clark STC Artistic Advisor
1979–1990 Richard Wherrett
1990–1999 Wayne Harrison
1999–2007 Robyn Nevin
2008–2013 Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton
2013–2015 Andrew Upton[6]
2016 Jonathan Church[7]
2016–2024 Kip Williams

Greening the Wharf

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The Sydney Theatre Company operates out of a heritage site of the wharf area of Sydney Harbour. Under the leadership of Blanchett and Upton, STC initiated a comprehensive large scale environmental program called Greening the Wharf, investing in solar energy, rainwater harvesting, energy efficiency measures and best practice waste management. The program goes beyond infrastructure projects to include employees, environmentally responsible theatre production, community engagement and education.[8] The program won two Green Globe Awards.[9]

Awards and nominations

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Helpmann Awards

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The Helpmann Awards is an awards show, celebrating live entertainment and performing arts in Australia, presented by industry group Live Performance Australia since 2001.[10] Note: 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2001 Benedict AndrewsLa Dispute (Sydney Theatre Company) Helpmann Award for Best Direction of a Play Won [11]
Robyn NevinA Cheery Soul (Company B Belvoir and Sydney Theatre Company) Helpmann Award for Best Female Actor in a Play Nominated
Stephen PageThe Sunshine Club (Sydney Theatre Company) Helpmann Award for Best Choreography in a Musical Nominated
Trudy Dalgleish – The White Devil (Sydney Theatre Company) Helpmann Award for Best Lighting Won
2002 Three Sisters (Sydney Theatre Company) Helpmann Award for Best Play Nominated [12]
Essie DavisThe School for Scandal (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Play Nominated
Peter CarrollThe Christian Brothers (Sydney Theatre Company) Helpmann Award for Best Male Actor in a Play Nominated
Nick EnrightA Man with Five Children (Sydney Theatre Company) Helpmann Award for Best New Australian Work Nominated
Nigel LevingsThe Old Masters (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Lighting Nominated
[ John Rayment – Up for Grabs (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
2003 Copenhagen – Sydney Theatre Company Best Play Won [13]
Deborah MailmanSeven Stages of Grieving (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Play Nominated
Miranda OttoA Doll's House (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Deborah KennedySoulmate (Sydney Theatre Company) Helpmann Award for Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Nominated
Peter Carroll – Endgame (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Won
Andree Greenwell – Volpone (Sydney Theatre Company) Helpmann Award for Best Original Score Nominated
2004 Judy DavisVictory (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Play Nominated [14]
Amber McMahon – The Snow Queen (Windmill Performing Arts and Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Nominated
Peter Carroll – The Republic of Myopia (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Nominated
2005 Hedda Gabler (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Play Nominated [15]
Michael BlakemoreDemocracy (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Direction of a Play Nominated
Zoe CaridesInfluence (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Won
2006 Jennifer Flowers – Doubt: A Parable (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Play Nominated [16]
Robert MenziesJulius Caesar (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Play Nominated
Hamish MichaelTwo Brothers (Melbourne Theatre Company & Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Nominated
Robyn NevinSummer Rain (Sydney Theatre Company) Helpmann Award for Best Direction of a Musical Nominated
Stella and the Moon ManKim Carpenter's Theatre of Image with Sydney Theatre Company and Australian Youth Orchestra Helpmann Award for Best Presentation for Children Won
2007 The Lost Echo (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Play Won [17]
The Season at Sarsaparilla (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Pamela RabeMother Courage and Her Children (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Play Nominated
Jefferson MaysI Am My Own Wife (Melbourne Theatre Company, Sydney Theatre Company and Hothouse Theatre) Best Male Actor in a Play Won
2008 Susan PriorRiflemind (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Nominated [18]
Alison WhyteDon's Party (Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Travis McMahon – Don's Party (Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Nominated
2009 War of the Roses – Sydney Theatre Company (in association with the Sydney Festival and Perth International Arts Festival) Best Play Won [19]
Women of Troy (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Benedict AndrewsWar of the Roses (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Direction of a Play Nominated
Barrie Kosky – Women of Troy (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Robyn Nevin – Women of Troy (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Play Won
Pamela Rabe – War of the Roses (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Cate BlanchettWar of the Roses (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Robert Menzies – War of the Roses (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Play Nominated
Marta DusseldorpWar of the Roses (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Won
Ewen LeslieWar of the Roses (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Won
Robert Cousins – War of the Roses (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Scenic Design Nominated
Max Lyandvert – War of the Roses (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Sound Design Won
Nick Schlieper – War of the Roses (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Lighting Design Won
2010 Kathryn HunterKafka's Monkey (Arts Projects Australia in association with Sydney Theatre Company and Malthouse Theatre) Best Female Actor in a Play Nominated [20]
Paul Charlier – A Streetcar Named Desire (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Sound Design Won
2011 Uncle Vanya – Sydney Theatre Company (in association with Bell Shakespeare) Best Play Nominated [21]
Cate BlanchettUncle Vanya (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Play Nominated
Robyn Nevin – Long Day's Journey into Night (Sydney Theatre Company and Artists Repertory Theatre) Nominated
Helen ThomsonIn the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Play Nominated
Richard RoxburghUncle Vanya (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Play Nominated
John Bell – Uncle Vanya (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Nominated
Nick Schlieper – Baal (Sydney Theatre Company and Malthouse Melbourne) Best Lighting Design Nominated
2012 Benedict Andrews – Gross und Klein (Big and Small) (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Play Nominated [22]
Bille BrownThe Histrionic (Malthouse Theatre & Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Play Nominated
Justine ClarkeLes Liaisons dDangereuses (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Nominated
Miranda OttoThe White Guard (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
2013 The Secret River (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Play Won [23]
Neil Armfield – The Secret River (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Direction of a Play Won
Helen ThomsonMrs. Warren's Profession (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Play Nominated
Nathaniel Dean – The Secret River (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Play Nominated
Valerie Bader – Australia Day (Sydney Theatre Company and Melbourne Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Nominated
Miranda TapsellThe Secret River (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Colin Moody – The Secret River (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Won
2014 Waiting for Godot (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Play Won [24]
Andrew Upton – Waiting for Godot (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Direction of a Play Nominated
Cate Blanchett – The Maids (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Play Won
Richard Roxburgh – Waiting for Godot (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Play Won
Paul Blackwell – Vere (Faith) (State Theatre Company of South Australia and Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Elizabeth DebickiThe Maids (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Nominated
Luke Mullins – Waiting for Godot (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Won
Ewen Leslie – Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Storm Boy – (with Barking Gecko Theatre Company) Best Presentation for Children Nominated
2015 Calpurnia Descending (with Malthouse Theatre) Best Play Nominated [25]
Endgame (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Suddenly Last Summer (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Kip WilliamsSuddenly Last Summer (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Direction of a Play Won
Sarah GoodesSwitzerland (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Andrew UptonEndgame (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Robyn NevinSuddenly Last Summer (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Play Nominated
Sarah PeirseSwitzerland (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Hugo WeavingEndgame (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Play Won
Helen ThomsonAfter Dinner (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female in a Supporting Role in a Play Won
Sarah PeirseEndgame (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Bruce SpenceEndgame (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Nominated
Glenn Hazeldine – After Dinner (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Nick Schlieper – Macbeth (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Lighting Design Nominated
2016 Kip Williams – Love and Information (Sydney Theatre Company and Malthouse Theatre) Best Direction of a Play Nominated [26]
Cate Blanchett – The Present (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Play Nominated
Sarah PeirseThe Golden Age (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Won
Mark Leonard WinterKing Lear (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Won
2017 Kip Williams – Chimerica (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Direction of a Play Nominated [27]
2018 The Children – (Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company) Best Play Won [28]
Black is the New White (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Sarah Goodes – The Children – (Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company) Best Direction Won
Kip Williams – Cloud Nine (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Kip Williams – The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Pamela RabeThe Children – (Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Play Won
Sarah PeirseThe Children – (Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Hugo Weaving – The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Play Won
John BellThe Father (Sydney Theatre Company and Melbourne Theatre Company) Nominated
Anita HeghThe Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Won
Kate BoxTop Girls (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Peter Carroll – The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Nominated
Colin Moody – The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Muriel's Wedding The Musical – Sydney Theatre Company and Global Creatures Best Musical Nominated
2019 Blackie Blackie Brown: The Traditional Owner of Death (with Malthouse Theatre) Best Play Nominated [29]
The Harp in the South: Part One and Part Two (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Declan Green – Blackie Blackie Brown: The Traditional Owner of Death (with Malthouse Theatre) | Best Direction of a Play Nominated
Imara Savage – Saint Joan (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Kip Williams – The Harp in the South: Part One and Part Two (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Helen Thomson – Mary Stuart (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Play Nominated
Sarah SnookSaint Joan (Sydney Theatre Company) Nominated
Wayne BlairThe Long Forgotten Dream (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Play Nominated
Helen Thomson – The Harp in the South: Part One and Part Two (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Nominated
Ash Flanders – Blackie Blackie Brown: The Traditional Owner of Death (Sydney Theatre Company) Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Nominated

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "News: Sydney Theatre to be renamed". Sydney Theatre Company. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  2. ^ "History". Sydney Theatre Company. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Sydney Theatre Company - History". Sydney Theatre Company. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  4. ^ "About Us". Soft Tread. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  5. ^ https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/former-qantas-chief-alan-joyce-resigns-from-sydney-theatre-company-board/news-story/122429d55ee61206be9c097739362b48 [bare URL]
  6. ^ Blake, Elissa (17 December 2015). "Andrew Upton farewells Sydney Theatre Company as Jonathan Church steps in". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  7. ^ Blake, Elissa (19 December 2015). "New artistic director replaces Andrew Upton at Sydney Theatre Company". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  8. ^ "Greening the Wharf". Sydney Theatre Company. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  9. ^ "Greening the Wharf". NSW Government. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  10. ^ "Events & Programs". Live Performance Australia. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  11. ^ "2001 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  12. ^ "2002 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  13. ^ "2003 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  14. ^ "2004 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  15. ^ "2005 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  16. ^ "2006 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  17. ^ "2007 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  18. ^ "2007 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  19. ^ "2007 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  20. ^ "2010 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  21. ^ "2011 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  22. ^ "2012 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  23. ^ "2013 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  24. ^ "2014 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  25. ^ "2015 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  26. ^ "2016 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  27. ^ "2017 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  28. ^ "2018 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  29. ^ "2019 Helpmann Awards Nominees & Winners". Helpmann Awards. Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA). Retrieved 26 July 2022.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Meyrick, Julian (2002). See How It Runs Nimrod and the New Wave. Crows Nest, N.S.W. : Allen & Unwin. ISBN 0-86819-651-7.
  • Parsons, Philip; Chance, Victoria (1995). Companion to theatre in Australia. Sydney : Currency Press in association with Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-86819-357-7.
  • Wherrett, Richard (2000). The floor of heaven my life in theatre. Sydney: Hodder Headline. ISBN 0-7336-1049-8.
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33°51′18″S 151°12′21″E / 33.855087°S 151.205757°E / -33.855087; 151.205757