Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre has announced that Artistic Director Marion Potts will leave the company in March for the Australia Council.
Marion has been offered the role of Director of Theatre at the Australia Council for the Arts – due in no small part to her outstanding vision, leadership and achievements during her four and a half years at the company.
Over the period of Marion’s tenure, Malthouse Theatre has performed to more than 200,000 people at home and abroad, presented 19 world premieres and employed nearly 400 artists. The productions she programmed and directed aimed to interrogate social structures and cultural double standards. Throughout her work she aimed to draw out the hidden story; to illuminate our ways of thinking.
Marion also led an increased focus on international touring and collaborations (including 2014’s presentation of The Good Person of Szechuan in Beijing and this year’s Blood Wedding creative development in Bangalore), launched Australia’s first and only paid Female Director in Residence program, and continued a commitment to championing Indigenous theatre practice.
“Malthouse Theatre will always be part of who I am, and the values, skills and thinking that I take to my new position have grown under the roof of this great building,” says Marion. “I am indebted to all the artists, colleagues and audience members who make the greater ‘Project Malthouse’ so worthwhile – not to mention fun.”
Marion’s final day with the Malthouse Theatre is 31 March. Following this, the company’s Associate Artist (Directing) Matthew Lutton will step into the role of Acting Artistic Director.
For more information, visit: www.malthousetheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Marion Potts – courtesy of Malthouse Theatre