Melbourne Theatre Company Names New Artistic Director Brett Sheehy and Executive Director Virginia Lovett

Melbourne Theatre Company will welcome its new leadership team - Artistic Director Brett Sheehy and Executive Director Virginia Lovett - as the Company celebrates sixty years with an exciting new season and direction.

Brett Sheehy's inaugural season includes four world premieres from some of Australia's most accomplished playwrights and five Australian premieres of works from UK, Europe, South Africa and USA. The season will introduce artists and companies who have never worked with MTC before, side by side such greats as Robyn Nevin, David Wenham, Academy Award nominee Jacki Weaver and Pamela Rabe.

Together for the first time since their appointment was announced, the Company also welcomes Sam Strong as its new Associate Artistic Director; Leticia Caceres as Associate Director; and Chris Mead as Literary Director to its artistic team.

MTC Artistic Director Brett Sheehy said 'As the company celebrates its sixtieth year of producing wonderful theatre, reflecting on a proud history, we head into 2013 with fresh vigour and direction. This is exciting for us and exciting for Melbourne'
Rehearsals are already in progress for The Other Place starring Catherine McClements and directed by Nadia Tass which kicks off MTC's 2013 Season. Coincidentally the play, which was written by Sharr White, received its Broadway debut on 10 January, with MTC's own production soon to open on 24 January. An acclaimed theatre, TV and film director, Nadia Tass recently shot footage with some cast members at Chelsea Beach for inclusion in the play.

Making her MTC mainstage debut with Constellations, Associate Director Leticia Caceres is already working hard in the rehearsal room. This two-hander featuring Alison Bell and Leon Ford is written by ground-breaking UK playwright, Nick Payne. Constellations received Best Play in the 2012 Evening Standard Awards.

In a new initiative by Artistic Director Brett Sheehy, MTC presents NEON: Festival of Independent Theatre bringing together five new independent companies to showcase new works in The Lawler at Southbank Theatre, MTC's own venue at the beating heart of the cultural precinct. Further details about NEON will be announced in March.

In 2013 MTC celebrates sixty years of providing thrilling theatre to its community. From its humble beginnings as the Union Theatre Repertory Company founded by John Sumner in 1953, the Company has grown to become one of Australia's best theatre companies presenting works seen by more than 250,000 people each year.