After several months filling in, the directorial firebrand has been appointed the company’s new artistic head.

Sydney Theatre Company announced today that Kip Williams has been appointed as the company’s new Artistic Director. Williams has been keeping the position warm as Interim Artistic Director since August, following the controversial departure of British director Jonathan Church in May after only nine months in the job.

“Through our deliberations, we always returned to the notion of STC being an artist-led company with a distinctive heritage and voice,” said STC Chairman Ian Narev. “We believe Kip consistently makes some of the most exciting theatre in Australia, and many others in the industry share that view. Kip is a visionary artist who spoke to us about his love for the Company, and his practical vision for how it can use its strong foundations to reach even higher artistic standards for audiences, artists, staff and the community. The esteem in which he is held by colleagues, from the country’s leading artists to those just starting out, is clear. All of us on the board were unanimous that Kip was the standout choice as Artistic Director.”

^{Sydney Theatre Company’s new Artistic Director, Kip Williams, photo © James Green}

Despite stepping...