November 24, 2009

NEW DIRECTOR FOR PLAYMARKET

After careful consideration of a strong field of candidates Playmarket is pleased to announce that it is appointing Murray Lynch as the next Director for Playmarket. He will take over when Mark Amery finishes in February next year.

Murray has worked at nearly every major professional theatre in New Zealand since he began his career at Four Seasons Theatre in Wanganui in 1973. At age 22 he was appointed Associate Director of Centrepoint Theatre in Palmerston North, and Artistic Director three years later.

This was followed by a stint as Associate Director at Auckland’s Theatre Corporate. While still in Auckland he formed a theatre-in-education company called Spare Parts and took the position of Artistic Director of the Maidment Arts Centre at the University of Auckland.

He was founding director of the widely acclaimed Tantrum Theatre Company before moving to Wellington in 1989, where he became Associate Director at Downstage Theatre. At that time he was also a project manager for the Arts Council.

In 1993 he moved to Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School to tutor and later head the Acting and Directing Programmes, a position he held until his appointment as Director of Downstage in 2000. He held this position for six years.

In 2007 he graduated with distinction from Victoria University with a Master of Arts in Theatre.

"Murray has had a long association with Playmarket over the years," says chair Andrew Caisley, "including at various times as dramaturg, director, writer, client, assessor, and Board member."

"Mark Amery has been with Playmarket in roles as Board member, Chairman, Script Development Manager, script advisor and most recently as Director.  He has led the organisation from strength to strength over recent years and although his energy, passion and boundless good humour will be greatly missed, both he and the Board are delighted that he is passing the role into such capable and experienced hands."