Sam Strong

Sam Strong is one of Australia’s leading theatre directors and the current Artistic Director of Queensland Theatre Company.

Career

Sam Strong commenced as Artistic Director of Queensland Theatre Company in November 2015 and was appointed Chair of contemporary circus company, Circa in April 2015.^[1] In February 2016, Strong announced a National Artistic Leadership Team at QTC to 'lead the nation from Brisbane'. The team comprised Jimi Bani, Wayne Blair, Margi Brown Ash, Marcel Dorney, Christie Evangelisto, Kat Henry, Nakkiah Lui, Annette Madden, Renée Mulder and Lucas Stibbard. ^[2]

From 2013 to 2015, Strong was the Associate Artistic Director of Melbourne Theatre Company, where he was known for the stylistic variety of his work, box office success and directing the theatrical debuts of visual artist Callum Morton and screen comedians Working Dog.^[3] 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).^[4] From 2008 to 2010, Strong was Literary Associate at Belvoir St Theatre, where he dramarturged the hit Brendan Cowell play Ruben Guthrie.^[5] 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.^[6] 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.

Productions

2015

• Masquerade by Kate Mulvany (Sydney Festival/Griffin Theatre Company/State Theatre Company of South Australia/Melbourne Festival)^[7]
• The Weir by Conor McPherson (Melbourne Theatre Company)^[8]
• Endgame by Samuel Beckett (Melbourne Theatre Company)^[9]

2014

• Private Lives by Noël Coward^[10]
• The Speechmaker by Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner & Rob Sitch (Melbourne Theatre Company)^[11]
• The Sublime by Brendan Cowell (Melbourne Theatre Company)^[12]

2013

• Other Desert Cities by Jon Robin Baitz (Melbourne Theatre Company)^[13]
• The Crucible by Arthur Miller (Melbourne Theatre Company)^[14]
• The Floating World by John Romeril (Griffin Theatre Company)^[15]

2012

• Between Two Waves by Ian Meadows (Griffin Theatre Company)^[16]
• Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Christopher Hampton (Sydney Theatre Company)^[17]
• The Boys by Gordon Graham (Griffin Theatre Company/Sydney Festival)^[18]

2011

• And No More Shall We Part by Tom Holloway (Griffin Theatre Company)^[19]
• Speaking in Tongues by Andrew Bovell (Griffin Theatre Company)^[20]

2010

• Madagascar by J.T. Rogers (Melbourne Theatre Company)^[21]
• The Power of Yes by David Hare (Belvoir St Theatre)^[22]
• Red Sky Morning by Tom Holloway (Red Stitch Actors Theatre national tour)^[23]

2009

• Faces in the Crowd by Leo Butler (Red Stitch Actors Theatre)^[24]
• Thom Pain (based on nothing) by Will Eno (B Sharp)^[25]
• Tender by Nicki Bloom [Staged Reading] (Melbourne Theatre Company)^[26]
• The Sea Project by Elise Hurst [Staged Reading] (Melbourne Theatre Company)^[27]
• Red Sky Morning by Tom Holloway (Red Stitch Actors Theatre return season)^[28]

2008

• Red Sky Morning by Tom Holloway (Red Stitch Actors Theatre)^[29]
• Shedding by Melissa Bubnic (La Mama)^[30]

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)

Personal life

Strong was born in Nowra, New South Wales and is the son of late Australian businessman James Strong.^[31] 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 Gradudate Diploma of Dramatic Art (Directing).^[32] He was admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor in the Supreme Court of Victoria and practiced as a solicitor at Freehills. Strong is married to producer Katherine Slattery.

Further reading

• Sam Strong renews as MTC Associate Director, Arts Review
• Sam Strong leaving Griffin Theatre at end of the year, The Daily Telegraph
• Sam Strong Exit Interview, Time Out Sydney
• Sam Strong - Memories of director's time at VCA, The University of Melbourne
• Sam I am, The Sydney Morning Herald

References

1. Wilson, Ashleigh. "Next generation takes over the centre stage of Australian theatre". The Australian. The Australian. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
2. "QTC to 'lead the nation from Brisbane' with Sam Strong's new national artistic team". Daily Review. Daily Review. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
3. Kermond, Clare. "Melbourne Theatre Company's Sam Strong on spotting emerging talent, The Speechmaker and new writing". The Sydney Morning Herald. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
4. Watts, Richard. "Sam Strong announced as QTC's new AD". ArtsHub. ArtsHub. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
5. Dunn, Emily. "Cut and polish". The Sydney Morning Herald. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
6. Litchfield, Neil. "Sam Strong and Australian Plays in the Making". Stage Whispers. Stage Whispers. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
7. "Griffin Theatre: Masquerade". Griffin Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
8. "The Weir". Melbourne Theatre Company. Melbourne Theatre Company.
9. "Endgame". Melbourne Theatre Company. Melbourne Theatre Company.
10. "Privates Lives". Melbourne Theatre Company. Melbourne Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
11. "The Speechmaker". Melbourne Theatre Company. Melbourne Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
12. "The Sublime". Melbourne Theatre Company. Melbourne Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
13. "Other Desert Cities". Melbourne Theatre Company. Melbourne Theatre Companyaccessdate=26 October 2015.
14. "The Crucible". Melbourne Theatre Company. Melbourne Theatre Companyaccessdate=26 October 2015.
15. "The Floating World". Griffin Theatre Company. Griffin Theatre Companyaccessdate=26 October 2015.
16. "Between Two Waves". Griffin Theatre Company. Griffin Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
17. Catlett, Jason. "Les Liaisons Dangereuses". Time Out Sydney. Time Out. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
18. "The Boys". Griffin Theatre Company. Griffin Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
19. "And No More Shall We Part". Griffin Theatre Company. Griffin Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
20. "Speaking in Tongues". Griffin Theatre Company. Griffin Theatre Company.
21. "Madagascar". Melbourne Theatre Company. Melbourne Theatre Company. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
22. "The Power of Yes". Belvoir St Theatre. Belvoir St Theatre. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
23. "Red Sky Morning". Ausstage. Ausstage. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
24. "Faces in the Crowd". Red Stitch Actors Theatre. Red Stitch Actors Theatre. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
25. Kary, David. "Thom Pain (based on nothing)". Sydney Arts Guide. Sydney Arts Guide. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
26. "Cybec Readings". Cybec. Cybec. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
27. "Cybec Readings". Cybec. Cybec. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
28. "Red Sky Morning". Ausstage. Ausstage. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
29. "Red Sky Morning". Red Stitch Actors Theatre. Red Stitch Actors Theatre. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
30. "Shedding". Ausstage. Ausstage. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
31. Blake, Elissa. "Sam, I am". The Sydney Morning Herald. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
32. "Sam Strong - Memories of director's time at VCA". University of Melbourne Alumni eNews. University of Melbourne. Retrieved 26 October 2015.