Black Swan State Theatre Company has appointed theatre maker Matt Edgerton as its next Artistic Director. The award-winning director, dramaturg, writer and actor will take up the role full time at the beginning of 2027.

Current AD Kate Champion, who announced earlier this year that she would be stepping down from the role, will complete the company’s 2027 artistic program before concluding her tenure at the end of 2026.

A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Edgerton brings more than 25 years’ experience across the Australian theatre sector. His previous leadership roles include Head of New Work at Melbourne Theatre Company, Artistic Director of Barking Gecko Theatre Company, Resident Artist at Bell Shakespeare and Senior Lecturer in Acting at WAAPA.

Matt Edgerton in rehearsal for Black Swan State Theatre Co’s The Shepherd’s Hut.

Edgerton has directed productions for Melbourne Theatre Company, Bell Shakespeare, Barking Gecko, The Last Great Hunt, Monkey Baa and Sport For Jove, among other companies. He also has longstanding ties to Black Swan, having directed The Seed, The Shepherd’s Hut and Fully Sikh, while appearing as an actor in productions of Plainsong and Speaking in...