Sam Strong (director)

Sam Strong is an Australian theatre director and arts leader; he was the artistic director of Queensland Theatre Company (2015–2019) and of Griffin Theatre Company (2010–2013). He has also been Chair of Circa[1] and the Associate Artistic Director of Melbourne Theatre Company.[2]

Personal life

Strong was born in Nowra, New South Wales and is the son of late Australian businessman James Strong.[3] Strong was Dux of Geelong Grammar School and graduated from the University of Melbourne with a BA(Hons) LLB(Hons) and the Victorian College of the Arts with a Graduate Diploma of Dramatic Art (Directing).[4] He was admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor in the Supreme Court of Victoria and practised as a solicitor at Freehills.

Career

From 2006 to 2008, Strong was the dramaturg in residence at Red Stitch Actors Theatre, where he co-founded the Red Stitch Writers residency and directed the Green Room Award-winning Red Sky Morning.[5] From 2008 to 2010, he was Literary Associate at Belvoir, where he dramarturged the hit Brendan Cowell play Ruben Guthrie.[6] From 2010 to 2013, Strong was artistic director of Griffin Theatre Company, where he directed successful revivals of contemporary Australian classics, tripled subscribers, and directed the highest selling show in the company's history (The Boys).[7]

From 2013 to 2015, Strong was the associate artistic director of Melbourne Theatre Company, where he directed the theatrical debuts of visual artist Callum Morton and the group Working Dog Productions.[8]

Strong has directed many of Australia's leading actors including Justine Clarke, Lucy Durack, Colin Friels, Noni Hazlehurst, Asher Keddie, Lachy Hulme, Robyn Nevin, Josh McConville, Luke Mullins, Pamela Rabe, Kat Stewart, Erik Thomson, Hugo Weaving, and David Wenham.

Strong commenced as artistic director of Queensland Theatre Company in November 2015 and was appointed chair of contemporary circus company, Circa in April 2015.[9][10]

Strong launched his first season as artistic director on 12 September 2016 with a rebranding of the company to Queensland Theatre (QT).[11] Strong also announced nine commitments for his 2017 season that will deliver on the company's vision to lead the nation from Queensland, including opening a world premiere production in Cairns, performing in 15 interstate venues, gender parity of writers and directors and one third diverse casting.[12]

Strong's first season at Queensland Theatre (2017) achieved the largest box office in the company's history.[13] In the same year, Strong became only the second director in the history of the awards to have two productions nominated for Best Play in the one year at the Helpmann Awards.[13] Strong announced his departure from QT in March 2019, stating that he was relocating to Melbourne to support his wife's career[14]

Highlights of Strong's four years at Queensland Theatre include the renovation of the Bille Brown Theatre, achieving subscriber growth that made the company the fastest growing in Australia, directing the highest selling new Australian play in the company's history, and securing RACQ as an inaugural principal partner.[15]

Strong's time at Queensland Theatre was also marked by a focus on new plays (leading the company to be described as the "National home of new stories",[16] and creating the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories such as My Name is Jimi and City of Gold.[17]

Strong's fourth season 2020 will include him directing the stage premiere of Trent Dalton’s novel Boy Swallows Universe.[18]

In September 2019 it was announced that Lee Lewis (who succeeded Strong at Griffin) would be the next Artistic Director of Queensland Theatre.[19]

Productions

2008

  • Red Sky Morning by Tom Holloway (Red Stitch Actors Theatre)[20]
  • Shedding by Melissa Bubnic (La Mama)[21]

2009

  • Faces in the Crowd by Leo Butler (Red Stitch Actors Theatre)[22]
  • Thom Pain (based on nothing) by Will Eno (B Sharp)[23]
  • Tender by Nicki Bloom [Staged Reading] (Melbourne Theatre Company)[24]
  • The Sea Project by Elise Hurst [Staged Reading] (Melbourne Theatre Company)[24]
  • Red Sky Morning by Tom Holloway (Red Stitch Actors Theatre return season)[25]

2010

  • Madagascar by J.T. Rogers (Melbourne Theatre Company)[26]
  • The Power of Yes by David Hare (Belvoir St Theatre)[27]
  • Red Sky Morning by Tom Holloway (Red Stitch Actors Theatre national tour)[28]

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

  • Noises Off! by Michael Frayn (Queensland Theatre/Melbourne Theatre Company)
  • Once in Royal David's City by Michael Gow (Queensland Theatre/Black Swan State Theatre Company)

2018

2019

Awards

  • Winner Best Director Sydney Theatre Awards 2013 (The Floating World)
  • Nominated for Best Director Green Room Awards 2014 (The Sublime)
  • Nominated for Best Production Sydney Theatre Awards 2013 (The Floating World)
  • Nominated for Best Director Sydney Theatre Awards 2012 (The Boys)
  • Nominated for Best Production Sydney Theatre Awards 2012 (The Boys)
  • Nominated for Best Production Sydney Theatre Awards 2012 (Les Liaisons dangereuses)
  • Nominated for Best Play Helpmann Awards 2012 (The Boys)
  • Nominated for Best Director Helpmann Awards 2012 (The Boys)
  • Nominated for Best Director Sydney Theatre Awards 2010 (The Power of Yes)
  • Nominated for Best Director Greenroom Awards 2009 (Red Sky Morning)
  • Nominated for Best Play Helpmann Awards 2017 (Once in Royal David's City)
  • Nominated for Best Play Helpmann Awards 2017 (Jasper Jones)
  • Nominated for Best Production Green Room Awards 2017 (Jasper Jones)
  • Nominated for Best Director Green Room Awards 2017 (Jasper Jones)

Further reading

References

  1. ^ "Circa welcomes new chairman Sam Strong". circa. 2015.
  2. ^ "Strong Leaves Griffin for One of Three New MTC Roles". Stage Whispers. 21 July 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  3. ^ Blake, Elissa. "Sam, I am". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  4. ^ "Sam Strong – Memories of director's time at VCA". University of Melbourne Alumni eNews. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  5. ^ Litchfield, Neil. "Sam Strong and Australian Plays in the Making". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  6. ^ Dunn, Emily (August 2009). "Cut and polish". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  7. ^ Watts, Richard (22 September 2015). "Sam Strong announced as QTC's new AD". ArtsHub. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  8. ^ Kermond, Clare (17 April 2015). "Melbourne Theatre Company's Sam Strong on spotting emerging talent, The Speechmaker and new writing". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  9. ^ Wilson, Ashleigh. "Next generation takes over the centre stage of Australian theatre". The Australian. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  10. ^ "QTC to 'lead the nation from Brisbane' with Sam Strong's new national artistic team". Daily Review. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  11. ^ "Queensland Theatre Company reveals 2017 season and name change | Daily Review: Film, stage and music reviews, interviews and more". dailyreview.com.au. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  12. ^ "2017 | Queensland Theatre". www.queenslandtheatre.com.au. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  13. ^ a b "Queensland Theatre's AD in Strong position at the Helpmanns". Limelight. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  14. ^ "Queensland Theatre Boss Sam Strong Announces His Not-So Imminent Departure" by Phil Brown, The Courier-Mail, 28 March 2019
  15. ^ NGUYEN, Justine (29 March 2019). "Sam Strong to depart Queensland Theatre". Limelight Magazine.
  16. ^ "Sam Strong leaves Queensland Theatre". Daily Review. 1 April 2019.
  17. ^ Behrendt, Larissa (2 August 2019). "City of Gold review – ambitious, raw and provocative play launches a bold new voice".
  18. ^ Garcia, Jocelyn (25 March 2019). "'Ain't it glorious?': Queensland Theatre to premiere Boy Swallows Universe". Brisbane Times.
  19. ^ Garcia, Jocelyn (21 September 2019). "Queensland Theatre welcomes new artistic director". Brisbane Times.
  20. ^ "Red Sky Morning". Red Stitch Actors Theatre. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  21. ^ "Shedding". Ausstage. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  22. ^ "Faces in the Crowd". Red Stitch Actors Theatre. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  23. ^ Kary, David (31 July 2009). "Thom Pain (based on nothing)". Sydney Arts Guide. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  24. ^ a b "Cybec Readings". Cybec.com.au. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  25. ^ "Red Sky Morning". Ausstage. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  26. ^ "Madagascar". Melbourne Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  27. ^ "The Power of Yes". Belvoir St Theatre. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  28. ^ "Red Sky Morning". Ausstage. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  29. ^ "And No More Shall We Part". Griffin Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  30. ^ "Speaking in Tongues". Griffin Theatre Company.
  31. ^ "Between Two Waves". Griffin Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  32. ^ Catlett, Jason. "Les Liaisons dangereuses". Time Out Sydney. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  33. ^ "The Boys". Griffin Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  34. ^ "Other Desert Cities". Melbourne Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  35. ^ "The Crucible". Melbourne Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  36. ^ "The Floating World". Griffin Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  37. ^ "Privates Lives". Melbourne Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  38. ^ "The Speechmaker". Melbourne Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  39. ^ "The Sublime". Melbourne Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  40. ^ "Griffin Theatre: Masquerade". Griffin Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  41. ^ "The Weir". Melbourne Theatre Company.
  42. ^ "Endgame". Melbourne Theatre Company. Archived from the original on 27 September 2014.
  43. ^ "Jasper Jones". Melbourne Theatre Company. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  44. ^ "Double Indemnity". Melbourne Theatre Company. Retrieved 23 September 2016.