The Malthouse Theatre Board are pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Lutton as the company’s Artistic Director, selected from a strong field of applicants from around the world.
“We are delighted that Matt will be taking up the role of Artistic Director as we embark on the next chapter of the company’s life,” said Malthouse Theatre Chair, Michele Levine. “It was an extremely competitive field, however Matt has proven himself not just as an individual artist, but as a collaborator and leader that exemplifies Malthouse Theatre’s unique identity as Australia’s premier producer of contemporary theatre.”
Lutton, formerly an Associate Artist with the company, has been acting in the role of Artistic Director since the departure of Marion Potts in March this year.
“The past three and half years I’ve spent at Malthouse Theatre have been incredibly important to me – it’s been my creative home, and a company that has allowed me to take risks and grow as an artist,’ said Lutton. “I look forward to continuing to drive the company’s vision to create theatre that isn’t afraid of being complex, in a building where Melbourne audiences come to be entertained and talk about big ideas.”
“I want to build on Malthouse Theatre’s past successes, especially the company’s history of collaborating with the independent sector and indigenous artists, and I feel very passionate about increasing our ability to bring together international and independent artists under the same roof.”
Lutton’s experience in the performing arts is diverse, and positions him well to drive Malthouse Theatre’s artistic mission, having worked across both independent and professional theatre sectors. At age 17, Lutton founded his own company in Perth, ThinIce, which he led until relocating to Melbourne in 2012 to take up a position as Malthouse Theatre’s Associate Artist (Direction).
As an award-winning director, Lutton has worked on projects ranging from intimate performance to grand opera, collaborating with companies around Australia and overseas including Black Swan State Theatre, Belvoir, Sydney Theatre Company, Griffin Theatre, Opera Australia, West Australian Opera, New Zealand Opera and Bavarian State Opera.
Next month he directs his ninth production with Malthouse Theatre, his latest collaboration with playwright Declan Greene I Am a Miracle. Lutton’s appointment makes him the youngest person currently at the artistic helm of a major theatre company, at age 30. He will share the management of Malthouse Theatre alongside Executive Producer Sarah Neal, with both as co-CEOs.
For more information, visit: www.malthousetheatre.com.au for details.
Image: Matthew Lutton (supplied)