Australian theatre director
Sam Strong is an Australian theatre director and arts leader; he was the artistic director of Queensland Theatre Company (2015–2019) and of Griffin Theatre Company (2010–2013). He has also been Chair of Circa and the Associate Artistic Director of Melbourne Theatre Company.
Personal life.
Strong was born in Nowra, New South Wales and is the son of late Australian businessman James Strong. 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). He was admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor in the Supreme Court of Victoria and practised as a solicitor at Freehills. 
Career.
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". From 2008 to 2010, he was Literary Associate at Belvoir, where he dramarturged the hit Brendan Cowell play "Ruben Guthrie". 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").
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.
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.
Strong launched his first season as artistic director on 12 September 2016 with a rebranding of the company to Queensland Theatre (QT). 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.
Strong's first season at Queensland Theatre (2017) achieved the largest box office in the company's history. 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
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.
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", and creating the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories such as My Name is Jimi and City of Gold.
Strong's fourth season 2020 will include him directing the stage premiere of Trent Dalton’s novel Boy Swallows Universe.
In September 2019 it was announced that Lee Lewis (who succeeded Strong at Griffin) would be the next Artistic Director of Queensland Theatre.
Productions.
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
References.
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