Shock announcement from Sam Strong

I have just received this email from Queensland Theatre Artistic Director Sam Strong. I will it tell the story…

“Dear Friend

It is with great sadness that I write to tell you that I will be leaving Queensland Theatre in November this year to return to Melbourne with my family.

This has been a very difficult decision, brought about by a career opportunity for my wife Katherine. Having so generously supported my career during the four wonderful years I have spent at Queensland Theatre, it seems only fair to return the favour. I will still program and launch our 2020 anniversary season and return to direct one show in 2020.

Working at Queensland Theatre has been a highlight of my career and I am immensely proud of all that we have achieved together: transforming ourselves into Australia’s fastest growing theatre company, opening the new Bille Brown Theatre, leading our industry, and reaching more people than ever before. I am especially proud of the number of new Australian stories we have presented, and our success in showing the rest of Australia, and the world, the depth of talent in Queensland.

As you’ve probably heard me say many times before, Queensland audiences are the warmest and most generous in Australia.

I have loved leading your theatre company and programing and directing works for you. Thank you for the honour of being your Artistic Director. I am sure my successor will take the Company to even greater heights.

I still have many more months in the role and I hope I have the opportunity to say good bye in person at some point.

Yours truly

Sam”