Queensland Theatre | Letter from Lee
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Letter from Lee

A fortnightly letter with love from our Artistic Director.

Letter from lee 24 web

With a certain sadness, I have decided to step down as Artistic Director of Queensland Theatre from 29 March.

After carrying the weight of leadership of this extraordinary Company for four years, through the hardest time in its history, I feel it is in the best interests of the Company for new energy to inspire artists and audiences alike. The Board and I agree that the vision of Executive Director Criena Gehrke promises an exciting future for Queensland Theatre and the artists it so proudly serves.

I leave at the beginning of a season that promises a diversity of experience that is thrilling, ambitious and inviting. Queensland Theatre works are touring the country, we are partnering with organisations large and small to expand our capacity, and we will reach more young people than ever before. The success of Drizzle Boy, Vietgone, Gaslight, and Tiny Beautiful Things makes me feel like the Company is in a good place again — and that it has the people and purpose it needs to reach great heights in the years to come. I am leaving at a new high point. And I wish everyone the best with a whole heart.

I leave proud of the work we have made for Queensland audiences over the last four years, proud that we have survived to serve a new generation of Queensland audiences and artists, proud of the commitment that lives in the Company to deliver the best theatre experiences to Queensland audiences.

I have loved my time in Queensland, and in this Company. I have had the opportunity to work with extraordinary artists and theatre makers who share my belief that great theatre changes the world one story at a time. I have made life-long friends and made great plays with them — there is nothing better than that. I look forward to coming back in the future as a visiting artist who will always love the warmth of a Brisbane audience and the warmth of a late-night walk along the beautiful river.

Love,

Lee

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Letter from the Board:

On behalf of the Board, I want to sincerely thank Lee for her leadership, vision and deep commitment to artistic excellence over the past four years. This has been an extraordinary time for the company as we navigated the disruption of Covid, floods and a changing world. Throughout it all, Lee has been steadfast in her belief in the power of theatre to make a difference to the world. She is an exceptional director and storyteller and we are grateful to Lee for her stewardship of Queensland Theatre.

In July, Lee will be returning to direct POTUS and that will be the opportunity for us to come together to celebrate Lee’s contribution.

The board will keep you informed of our recruitment plans for the next Artistic Director. As you will appreciate that process will take time. In the meantime, the Board’s priority is to ensure you are well supported to successfully deliver the 2024 program and to continue to progress the work that has already been commenced by Lee and the programming team for the 2025 season.

During this transition phase, we have asked Criena to take over all executive responsibilities. She will work closely with Dan, Isaac and Fiona as the Associate Artistic Directors who, along with their current portfolios, will collectively provide artistic oversight and continue 2025 planning.

I am confident that the legacy of Lee’s many great contributions these past four years to our State Theatre Company will endure. I know too that you will all join me in wishing Lee the very best for the, no doubt exciting, next chapter of her career. And I know that, thanks to the talent, hard work and resilience of our team, Queensland Theatre also looks forward to an exciting next chapter in its 50+ year history.

Elizabeth Jameson AM (Chair)

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