Cameron Lukey has been announced as the new Artistic Director of Melbourne’s fortyfivedownstairs, following Mary Lou Jelbart’s decision to step down after 21 years in the role.

Jelbart co-founded the theatre with Julian Burnside in 2002 and it has since become a keystone in Melbourne’s independent theatre scene.

Among the acclaimed and award-winning productions nurtured by fortyfivedownstairs include the premieres of Do not go gentle… and Savages by Patricia Cornelius, Café Scheherazade by Thérèse Radic and Taxithi by Helen Yotis Patterson.

Cameron Lukey. Photo © Cameron Grant

Lukey produced his first show at fortyfivedownstairs in 2014, a production of Terrence McNally’s play Master Class, featuring Maria Mercedes as opera legend Maria Callas.

“It was a thrilling experience working at fortyfivedownstairs for the first time and I don’t think the show would have been as successful if it had opened anywhere else,” says Lukey.

“We had the invaluable support of Mary Lou and the team, and access to an audience developed through years of strong and varied programming. It felt like a big turning point in my life, a feeling I know many of the artists and companies who have worked at fortyfivedownstairs share.”

Lukey joined...