Stephen Nicolazzo was appointed in November 2023. Stephen is a talented theatre director, dramaturg and creator and works across theatre, comedy, dance and contemporary performance.

Most recently Stephen was Co-Artistic Director of Western Edge and is a member of the Associate Artist Advisory Panel at Melbourne Theatre Company under the Artistic Direction of Anne Louise Sarks. He was the founder and Artistic Director of Little Ones Theatre, an independent company focused on innovative queer theatre-making from 2009-2023. His works have toured Australia to much acclaim. Stephen has directed works for Melbourne Theatre Company, Malthouse Theatre, Belvoir, Griffin Theatre Company, Arts Centre Melbourne, Arts House, Brisbane Powerhouse, Performing Lines, Darwin Festival, Brisbane Festival, Perth Festival Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Yirramboi Festival, Midsumma Festival, Feast Festival, Theatre Works and Red Stitch Actors Theatre.

Stephen is a Green Room Award winner for Best Direction (The Happy Prince) and has been nominated a further three times (Psycho Beach Party, Dracula, and The Moors). His works have won 12 Green Room Awards and been nominated for a total of 41 since 2012. His works have also been nominated for Sydney Theatre Awards, a Victorian Premiers Literary Award, and an AWGIE.

In taking on the role, Stephen says ““I am truly thrilled to be taking on the role of Artistic Director with Brink. I cannot wait to be a part of its future and to honour its legacy as one of this country’s leading independent theatre companies. It is a rare thing, to be able to lead with an independent voice and I do not take that privilege and opportunity lightly. It is a bloody gift.  A gift that Brink have managed to constantly keep vibrant, challenging, beautiful, and held each time they have made work. And I am just so very moved to be part of that.

I want to speak to this diversity of experience whenever I make a work. I want to speak to those unseen. I want to share battle scars with audiences and artists, and present this with fire, fury, and compassion. No holding back. Ever. And of course, always wanting it to entertain and break some hearts. We have the opportunity, as Australian practitioners, to present diverse lived experiences in a variety of gut-bursting theatrical forms. And this is what I hope to bring to Brink’s next chapter of story-telling.”

Brink’s Chair Trish Hansen said “After an extensive and rigorous recruitment process, led by the excellent REA consulting team, the Board of Brink are very excited to be appointing Stephen to lead the artistic vision and direction of the company. Building on Chris Drummond’s phenomenal legacy, Stephen’s reputation for masterful, unique and provocative theatre making will appeal to Brink’s insatiably curious, loyal audiences while stimulating and attracting new ones. Stephen also brings vast experience in company management along with his strong reputation and trusted national networks. We are confident that he will make a vital contribution to the South Australian performing arts ecology and beyond.”.