Will Sydney poach one of Melbourne’s leading creatives to fill a key job?

Sydney Theatre Company (STC), one of Australia's leading cultural institutions, has been searching for a new artistic director following the departure of Kip Williams in late 2021. The search for a successor has attracted a significant amount of attention due to the caliber of candidates being considered. Here's an expansion on the context provided and some factual content about the contenders:

1. Melbourne's Leading Creatives: The context suggests that there is a possibility that one of Melbourne's leading creatives might be poached by STC for the key job. Melbourne is home to several renowned arts organizations and talented artists. Some of the names being mentioned as potential candidates include:

a. Simon Phillips: A highly respected Australian theatre director and artistic director of Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) since 2014. Phillips has directed numerous productions for STC and other major Australian and international companies.

b. Marion Potts: A prominent Australian theatre director and former artistic director of Belvoir Street Theatre in Sydney. She has directed productions for STC and MTC and has been a frequent collaborator with Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton.

c. Neil Armfield: A renowned Australian theatre and opera director who has worked extensively with STC and the Sydney Opera House. He was previously artistic director of Belvoir Street Theatre and has won multiple Helpmann Awards.

2. High-Profile Directorial Names in Australia: The context also mentions that some of the most high-profile directorial names in Australia are being considered for the STC artistic directorship. In addition to the Melbourne-based directors mentioned above, other notable figures being discussed include:

a. Lee Lewis: A Sydney-based theatre director who has worked extensively with STC and Belvoir Street Theatre. She has won multiple Helpmann Awards and was named Sydney Theatre Critics Circle's Director of the Year in 2018.

b. Eamon Flack: A prominent Australian theatre director and former artistic director of Griffin Theatre Company. He has directed productions for STC and Belvoir Street Theatre and has won multiple Helpmann Awards.

c. Kip Williams (currently artistic director at Belvoir Street Theatre): Although he is currently in the role at Belvoir Street Theatre, his name has been mentioned as a potential candidate for STC due to his successful tenure at the company and his previous work with STC.

These are just a few of the names being discussed as potential candidates for the STC artistic directorship. The decision is expected to be made soon, and the appointment will have significant implications for the future direction and artistic vision of one of Australia's most influential cultural institutions.