Rob Brookman, General Manager, has announced his retirement from Sydney Theatre Company. He will remain in post until the end of May 2010 allowing the Company an extended period to recruit a replacement and to ensure the smoothest possible transition in the management of the Company.
Rob Brookman said: “Deciding to leave Sydney Theatre Company has been an enormously difficult decision. The years that I have spent with the Company have been some of the most challenging and fulfilling of my life. When I joined the Company in 1999, I never thought for a minute that I would stay for a decade because a job such as this is one that both stimulates and burns you up in equal measure. While my passion for the Company is undiminished, I know that the right time to jump off this particular locomotive is while my energies are still high.
“My commitment to the Company and to Andrew and Cate was that I would fully see through their transition to the artistic leadership of STC. With arguably the strongest season STC has ever mounted now announced for 2010, a financial result that should see the Company well back in the black in 2009, a stable and strong network of support from Government, corporate partners and philanthropic donors and a highly talented and committed staff, I am proud of the great shape that the Company is in. It remains to now support the process of recruitment for the next generation of management for the Company and to then assist in the transition when the right person is identified.”
Rob Brookman is Sydney Theatre Company’s longest-serving General Manager having served for over a decade - one third of the Company’s lifespan. He was recruited by former Artistic Director Robyn Nevin and Chairman Mark Burrows and joined the Company in June 1999. He has overseen an extraordinary period of growth and development in all areas. Working in partnership first with Robyn Nevin and then with Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton, he played a key leadership role in the development and opening of the 900-seat Sydney Theatre, the establishment of Australia’s only full-time ensemble of actors (the STC Actors Company and The Residents), the expansion of the Education and thriving artform development programs, the development of international touring, significant infrastructure upgrades at the Wharf, and the $5.8 million Greening of the Wharf project.
Sydney Theatre Company Chairman, Ian Darling, said:
"It is with great sadness that we accept Rob Brookman's decision to retire from Sydney Theatre Company. On behalf of all of us at the Company, we express our deepest gratitude for the outstanding contribution Rob has made to the STC over the last 10 years. Rob will be an extremely difficult person to replace, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours.
“Rob leaves the Company in excellent financial health. Over the decade turnover has risen from $14 million to $28 million, nett assets have risen from $763,000 to over $2.3 million and annual income from corporate, and private philanthropic support has risen from less than $1m in 1999 to over $4 million today. The Company is on target to report a healthy profit from its 2009 season and, in such a challenging environment, Rob is to be congratulated for his exceptional financial management."
Artistic Directors Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchett paid tribute to Brookman saying:
“Rob has made an immense contribution to Sydney Theatre Company during the last decade and, in a career spanning more than 30 years, to the Australian cultural landscape. For us, as Artistic Directors, Rob’s perspective has been invaluable – as has his wisdom, strength, commitment, generosity and counsel. He leaves with our unending thanks and very best wishes.”
Rob Brookman brought an unusually diverse range of experience and interests to the post of General Manager. Prior to joining Sydney Theatre Company, he had a distinguished career as festival director, programming director, producer and administrator. He directed the 1992 Adelaide Festival, 1994 New Zealand International Festival, 1996 National Festival of Australian Theatre and founded and directed Australia’s leading world music festival WOMADelaide for 12 years (1992 – 2004). He also led the programming and entrepreneurial activities of the Adelaide Festival Centre for nine years.
The search for Sydney Theatre Company’s new General Manager will begin soon.