Andrew Upton reappointed at Sydney Theatre Company

The Sydney Theatre Company has announced that it has reappointed Andrew Upton, its current co-artistic director to the role, without his current co-director, his Osar-winning wife Kate Blanchett.

Upton (pictured) and Blanchett have been the creative force behind the company for the past five years, taking over the reins from theatre veteran Robyn Nevin in 2008.

Together, they have overseen an ambitious, diverse and internationally-focussed program, including a triumphant Sydney production of August: Osage Countynf by Chicago's acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

During their tenure, the STC has also toured several mainstage productions overseas, most recently Uncle Vanya, starring Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh, which opened in New York in July to rapturous reviews.

STC Chairman David Gonski said the duo, whose final program will be announced in September, had created a new energy around the company.

Gonski stated "after an extensive national and international search for a new artistic director, which identified a number of outstanding candidates, we considered that Andrew would be the best person to lead the company as it evolves into ther next stage of its artistic development."

Upton said he was "honoured and excited" to be part of the STC's next phase, adding "the offer to stay on as artistic director came just as we had decided to remain in Australia as a family. We were finishing off plans for the 2013 season - the last of Cate's and mine together. At the same time, the team was also wrangling with our new five-year strategic plan. So it happened right when I was weighing up what Cate and I had achieved and also feeling an enthusiasm for what would come next."

Blanchett, who said she would always maintain a strong personal connection with the company, credited Upton as "the brains behind the operation", concluding "we weighed up all of our personal and professional needs and felt that - with Australia as our home - it was a great way to bring all of our intiatives at the company to fruition."

Blanchett added "it's very important for the STC to consolidate and build at this time."

25th January 2012 - BLANCHETT, UPTON TO LEAVE SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY

16th March 2011 - CATE BLANCHETT AND ANDREW UPTON CALL FOR A BOLD, CREATIVE SYDNEY

1st December 2010 - SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY LAUNCHES ROOFTOP SOLAR POWER SYSTEM

28th June 2009 - HELPMANN AWARDS CELEBRATE LIVE PERFORMANCE