Sam Strong (director)

Strong was born in Nowra, New South Wales and is the son of late Australian businessman James Strong.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/sam-i-am-20120329-1vzay.html|title=Sam, I am|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|last1=Blake|first1=Elissa|accessdate=26 October 2015}} 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).{{cite web|url=http://alumni.news.unimelb.edu.au/sam-strong-memories-directors-time-vca|title=Sam Strong – Memories of director's time at VCA|website=University of Melbourne Alumni eNews|accessdate=26 October 2015}} He was admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor in the Supreme Court of Victoria and practised as a solicitor at Freehills.

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/sam-strong-and-australian-plays-making|title=Sam Strong and Australian Plays in the Making|website=Stage Whispers|last1=Litchfield|first1=Neil|accessdate=26 October 2015}} From 2008 to 2010, he was Literary Associate at Belvoir, where he dramarturged the hit Brendan Cowell play Ruben Guthrie.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/cut-and-polish/2009/07/31/1248977185927.html|title=Cut and polish|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|last1=Dunn|first1=Emily|date=August 2009 |accessdate=26 October 2015}} 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).{{cite web|url=http://performing.artshub.com.au/news-article/news/performing-arts/richard-watts/sam-strong-announced-as-qtcs-new-ad-249346|title=Sam Strong announced as QTC's new AD|website=ArtsHub|last1=Watts|first1=Richard|date=22 September 2015 |accessdate=26 October 2015}}

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.{{cite news|last1=Kermond|first1=Clare|title=Melbourne Theatre Company's Sam Strong on spotting emerging talent, The Speechmaker and new writing|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/stage/melbourne-theatre-companys-sam-strong-on-spotting-emerging-talent-the-speechmaker-and-new-writing-20150411-1mibnw.html|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=17 April 2015|accessdate=28 March 2019}}

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.{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/stage/next-generation-takes-over-the-centre-stage-of-australian-theatre/story-fn9d344c-1227539277916|title=Next generation takes over the centre stage of Australian theatre|newspaper=The Australian|last=Wilson|first=Ashleigh|accessdate=26 October 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://dailyreview.com.au/qtc-to-lead-the-nation-from-brisbane-with-sam-strongs-new-national-artistic-team/36745|title=QTC to 'lead the nation from Brisbane' with Sam Strong's new national artistic team|website=Daily Review|accessdate=6 March 2016}}

Strong launched his first season as artistic director on 12 September 2016 with a rebranding of the company to Queensland Theatre (QT).{{Cite web|url=https://dailyreview.com.au/queensland-theatre-company-reveals-2017-season-name-change/48903/|title=Queensland Theatre Company reveals 2017 season and name change {{!}} Daily Review: Film, stage and music reviews, interviews and more.|website=dailyreview.com.au|date=12 September 2016 |access-date=23 September 2016}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.queenslandtheatre.com.au/Whats-on/2017|title=2017 {{!}} Queensland Theatre|website=www.queenslandtheatre.com.au|access-date=23 September 2016}}

Strong's first season at Queensland Theatre (2017) achieved the largest box office in the company's history.{{Cite news|url=https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/news/queensland-theatres-ad-in-strong-position-at-the-helpmanns/|title=Queensland Theatre's AD in Strong position at the Helpmanns|work=Limelight|access-date=6 June 2018}} 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. Strong announced his departure from QT in March 2019, stating that he was relocating to Melbourne to support his wife's career[https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-theatre-boss-sam-strong-announces-his-notso-imminent-departure/news-story/01b1ac2fc342a733cc7322addbfd19bb "Queensland Theatre Boss Sam Strong Announces His Not-So Imminent Departure"] by Phil Brown, The Courier-Mail, 28 March 2019

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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/news/sam-strong-to-depart-queensland-theatre/|title=Sam Strong to depart Queensland Theatre|last=NGUYEN|first=Justine|date=29 March 2019|work=Limelight Magazine}}

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",{{Cite news|url=https://dailyreview.com.au/sam-strong-leave-queensland-theatre/82249/|title=Sam Strong leaves Queensland Theatre|date=1 April 2019|work=Daily Review}} and creating the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories such as My Name is Jimi and City of Gold.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/aug/02/city-of-gold-review-ambitious-raw-and-provocative-play-launches-a-bold-new-voice|title=City of Gold review – ambitious, raw and provocative play launches a bold new voice|last=Behrendt|first=Larissa|date=2 August 2019}}

Strong's fourth season 2020 will include him directing the stage premiere of Trent Dalton’s novel Boy Swallows Universe.{{Cite news|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/ain-t-it-glorious-queensland-theatre-to-premiere-boy-swallows-universe-20190525-p51r2j.html|title='Ain't it glorious?': Queensland Theatre to premiere Boy Swallows Universe|last=Garcia|first=Jocelyn|date=25 March 2019|work=Brisbane Times}}

In September 2019 it was announced that Lee Lewis (who succeeded Strong at Griffin) would be the next Artistic Director of Queensland Theatre.{{Cite news|url=https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/queensland-theatre-s-sam-strong-praises-incoming-artistic-director-20190921-p52tjh.html|title=Queensland Theatre welcomes new artistic director|last=Garcia|first=Jocelyn|date=21 September 2019|work=Brisbane Times}}

2008

• Red Sky Morning by Tom Holloway (Red Stitch Actors Theatre){{cite web|title=Red Sky Morning|url=http://redstitch.net/gallery/red-sky-morning/|website=Red Stitch Actors Theatre|accessdate=26 October 2015}}
• Shedding by Melissa Bubnic (La Mama){{cite web|title=Shedding|url=https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/75976|website=Ausstage|accessdate=26 October 2015}}

2009

• Faces in the Crowd by Leo Butler (Red Stitch Actors Theatre){{cite web|title=Faces in the Crowd|url=http://redstitch.net/gallery/faces-in-the-crowd/|website=Red Stitch Actors Theatre|accessdate=26 October 2015}}
• Thom Pain (based on nothing) by Will Eno (B Sharp){{cite web|last1=Kary|first1=David|title=Thom Pain (based on nothing)|url=http://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/thom-painbased-on-nothing/|website=Sydney Arts Guide|date=31 July 2009 |accessdate=26 October 2015}}
• Tender by Nicki Bloom [Staged Reading] (Melbourne Theatre Company){{cite web|title=Cybec Readings|url=http://www.cybec.com.au/MTC.htm|website=Cybec.com.au|accessdate=26 October 2015}}
• The Sea Project by Elise Hurst [Staged Reading] (Melbourne Theatre Company)
• Red Sky Morning by Tom Holloway (Red Stitch Actors Theatre return season){{cite web|title=Red Sky Morning|url=https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/work/7080|website=Ausstage|accessdate=26 October 2015}}

2010

• Madagascar by J.T. Rogers (Melbourne Theatre Company){{cite web|title=Madagascar|url=http://www.mtc.com.au/about/the-company/archive/2010-main-season/madagascar/|publisher=Melbourne Theatre Company|accessdate=26 October 2015}}
• The Power of Yes by David Hare (Belvoir St Theatre){{cite web|title=The Power of Yes|url=http://belvoir.com.au/productions/the-power-of-yes/|website=Belvoir St Theatre|accessdate=26 October 2015}}
• Red Sky Morning by Tom Holloway (Red Stitch Actors Theatre national tour){{cite web|title=Red Sky Morning|url=https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/99784|website=Ausstage|accessdate=26 October 2015}}

2011

• And No More Shall We Part by Tom Holloway (Griffin Theatre Company){{cite web|title=And No More Shall We Part|url=http://www.griffintheatre.com.au/archive/and-no-more-shall-we-part/|publisher=Griffin Theatre Company|accessdate=26 October 2015}}
• Speaking in Tongues by Andrew Bovell (Griffin Theatre Company){{cite web|title=Speaking in Tongues|url=http://www.griffintheatre.com.au/archive/speaking-in-tongues/|publisher=Griffin Theatre Company}}

2012

• Between Two Waves by Ian Meadows (Griffin Theatre Company){{cite web|title=Between Two Waves|url=http://www.griffintheatre.com.au/archive/between-two-waves/|publisher=Griffin Theatre Company|accessdate=26 October 2015}}
• Les Liaisons dangereuses by Christopher Hampton (Sydney Theatre Company){{cite web|last1=Catlett|first1=Jason|title=Les Liaisons dangereuses|url=http://www.au.timeout.com/sydney/theatre/events/27590/sydney-theatre-company-les-liasons-dangereuses|website=Time Out Sydney|accessdate=26 October 2015}}
• The Boys by Gordon Graham (Griffin Theatre Company/Sydney Festival){{cite web|title=The Boys|url=http://www.griffintheatre.com.au/archive/the-boys/|publisher=Griffin Theatre Company|accessdate=26 October 2015}}

2013

• Other Desert Cities by Jon Robin Baitz (Melbourne Theatre Company){{cite web|title=Other Desert Cities|url=http://www.mtc.com.au/about/the-company/archive/2013-mainstage/otherdesertcities/|publisher=Melbourne Theatre Company|accessdate=26 October 2015}}
• The Crucible by Arthur Miller (Melbourne Theatre Company){{cite web|title=The Crucible|url=http://www.mtc.com.au/about/the-company/archive/2013-mainstage/the-crucible|publisher=Melbourne Theatre Company|accessdate=26 October 2015}}
• The Floating World by John Romeril (Griffin Theatre Company){{cite web|title=The Floating World|url=http://www.griffintheatre.com.au/archive/the-floating-world/|publisher=Griffin Theatre Company|accessdate=26 October 2015}}

2014

• Private Lives by Noël Coward{{cite web|title=Privates Lives|url=http://www.mtc.com.au/about/the-company/archive/mainstage-2014/private-lives|publisher=Melbourne Theatre Company|accessdate=26 October 2015}}
• The Speechmaker by Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner & Rob Sitch (Melbourne Theatre Company){{cite web|title=The Speechmaker|url=http://www.mtc.com.au/about/the-company/archive/mainstage-2014/the-speechmaker|publisher=Melbourne Theatre Company|accessdate=26 October 2015}}
• The Sublime by Brendan Cowell (Melbourne Theatre Company){{cite web|title=The Sublime|url=http://www.mtc.com.au/about/the-company/archive/mainstage-2014/the-sublime|publisher=Melbourne Theatre Company|accessdate=26 October 2015}}

2015

• Masquerade by Kate Mulvany (Sydney Festival/Griffin Theatre Company/State Theatre Company of South Australia/Melbourne Festival){{cite web|title=Griffin Theatre: Masquerade|url=http://www.griffintheatre.com.au/whats-on/masquerade/|publisher=Griffin Theatre Company|accessdate=26 October 2015}}
• The Weir by Conor McPherson (Melbourne Theatre Company){{cite web|title=The Weir|url=http://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/mainstage-2015/the-weir/|publisher=Melbourne Theatre Company}}
• Endgame by Samuel Beckett (Melbourne Theatre Company){{cite web|title=Endgame|url=http://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/mainstage-2015/endgame/|publisher=Melbourne Theatre Company|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927121417/http://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/mainstage-2015/endgame/|archivedate=27 September 2014}}

2016

• Jasper Jones based on the novel by Craig Silvey, adapted by Kate Mulvany (Melbourne Theatre Company){{Cite web|url=http://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/season-2016/jasper-jones/|title=Jasper Jones|publisher=Melbourne Theatre Company|access-date=23 September 2016}}
• Double Indemnity by Tom Holloway, adapted from the book by James M Cain (Melbourne Theatre Company){{Cite web|url=http://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/season-2016/double-indemnity/|title=Double Indemnity|publisher=Melbourne Theatre Company|access-date=23 September 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

• Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare (Queensland Theatre) with music by Tim Finn
• Jasper Jones based on the novel by Craig Silvey, adapted by Kate Mulvany (Queensland Theatre restaging the Melbourne Theatre Company production)
• Nearer the Gods by David Williamson (Queensland Theatre)

2019

• Hydra by Sue Smith (Queensland Theatre/State Theatre Company South Australia)
• Storm Boy by Colin Thiele, adapted for the stage by Tom Holloway (Queensland Theatre/Melbourne Theatre Company)

• 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)

• [http://artsreview.com.au/sam-strong-renews-as-mtc-associate-director/ Sam Strong renews as MTC Associate Director], Arts Review
• [http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sam-strong-leaving-griffin-theatre-at-end-of-the-year/story-e6frexmi-1226404457197 Sam Strong leaving Griffin Theatre at end of the year], The Daily Telegraph
• [http://www.au.timeout.com/sydney/theatre/features/11247/sam-strong-exit-interview Sam Strong Exit Interview, Time Out Sydney]
• [https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2015/10/10/mtcs-sam-strong-his-new-role-queensland-theatre/14443956002465 MTC's Sam Strong on his new role in Queensland Theatre], The Saturday Paper
• [http://themusic.com.au/interviews/all/2017/05/02/sam-strong-queensland-theatre-maxim-boon/ Queensland Theatre's Sam Strong On Leading Australia's Theatre Industry From Brisbane]

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Category:Australian theatre directors

Category:Living people

Category:People educated at Geelong Grammar School

Category:People from Nowra

Category:University of Melbourne alumni

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:People from the South Coast (New South Wales)