History
The South Australian Theatre Company (SATC) was established in 1965 under the artistic direction of John Tasker. The date of establishment as the state theatre company dates to the State Theatre Company of South Australia Act of 1972, an initiative of Don Dunstan. The name of the company was changed to its current name in 1980 as a reflection of this act. The director of the company in its inaugural year was George Ogilvie.
In 1974, the SATC became the resident theatre company of the newly built Adelaide Festival Centre, performing mostly in The Playhouse (later The Dunstan Playhouse, which is still the company's primary venue), and was the first state theatre company in Australia to hold its entire operations in one purpose-made building.
In 1977, Magpie Theatre was established as the youth arm of the company. It was lost in 1997, partially due to loss of funding after reconstruction of Arts SA.
Under the artistic direction of Jim Sharman, the company was renamed Lighthouse and acted as an ensemble theatre company with twelve actors: Robynne Bourne, Peter Cummins, Melissa Jaffer (replaced in 1983 by Jacqy Phillips), Alan John (also composer in residence), Gillian Jones, Melita Jurisic, Russell Kiefel, Stuart McCreery, Robert Menzies (replaced by Robert Grubb), Geoffrey Rush, Kerry Walker and John Wood .
From 1996 when she was artistic director, Chris Westwood subtitled the company Australian Playhouse, with the goal of presenting only Australian works until the end of the century. However, Westwood resigned under pressure at the end of 1997, and the company returned to a more orthodox season.
(Milne, G, 2004, Theatre Australia (un)limited, Rodopi Press)
Artistic Directors of the company include:
2005 - present: Adam Cook
2000- 2004: Rosalba Clemente
1998-1999: Rodney Fisher
1993-1997: Chris Westwood (Executive Producer)
1989- 1993: Simon Phillips
1986-1989: John Gaden
1984-1986: Keith Gallasch
1982-1984: Jim Sharman
1976-1979: Colin George
1972-1976: George Ogilvie
(prior to official conception as the State Theatre Company)
1969-1972: Peter Batey
1968-1969: Les Dayman
1965-1968: John Tasker
Click here to download a listing of State Theatre Company plays performed since 1965.
