GRIFFIN APPOINTS A NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Griffin Theatre Company Chair Michael Bradley today announced that award-winning director and dramaturg Sam Strong has been appointed the new Artistic Director of Griffin Theatre Company, replacing Nick Marchand. Strong, currently the Literary Associate at Company B Belvoir and director of its current hit The Power of Yes. Prior to that he established Red Stitch Writers, a playwriting residency at Red Stitch Actors Theatre in Melbourne (through which he developed and directed Tom Holloway’s Red Sky Morning).
Bradley said, “Sam’s appointment is a great moment for Griffin. Nick Marchand has laid the perfect platform for the company’s next big steps forward, combining the major renovation of the Stables Theatre with bold new developments in Griffin’s creative outreach, and Sam is the perfect champion to lead the charge. Griffin’s long history has been one of constant innovation, leadership and integrity, and Sam embodies those qualities. The entire company is very excited about the chapter that his artistic directorship will write.”
“It is a great honour and a great privilege to be the next Artistic Director of Griffin,” said Strong. “I am thrilled to be leading a Company with such a wonderful history and a unique reputation as a boutique powerhouse of new Australian writing. I admire what Nick has achieved in providing opportunities for artists and extending the reach of the Company. I can’t wait to work with the staff at Griffin to bring audiences the highest quality new Australian work from the highest quality Australian artists. I can’t wait to extend the theatre’s reputation as an exciting and vibrant hub for artists and audiences alike.”
Strong will commence with Griffin on 31st May and will co-curate the 2011 season with Nick Marchand.