New York City, East Village, 1991. The vibrant, passionate bohemian community.
Shaun has worked on Australian premieres of new works as well as revivals of cherished musicals. He has earned three Sydney Theatre Award nominations for Best Director and has twice won the Broadway World Award for Best Direction. Recently, Shaun directed “Suddenly Last Summer” for The Ensemble Theatre and the World Premiere Season of “The Lovers” for Bell Shakespeare. He also directed the sold-out 25th-anniversary production of “RENT” at the Sydney Opera House. His other work includes “Jess and Joe Forever” at 25A, Downstairs Belvoir; Tennessee Williams’ “Baby Doll” at The Ensemble Theatre; “Trevor” at Outhouse; “Considering Matthew Shepard” with Sydney Philharmonic; “I Am My Own Wife” at Redline; “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” at Darlinghurst Theatre Company; “The Rise and Disguise of Elizabeth R” at Hayes Theatre; “The View Upstairs” at Hayes Theatre; “Brigadoon” and “Irene” at Neglected Musicals; “Carmen: Live or Dead” with Oriel Group; “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at Hayes Theatre; “Sweet Charity,” “Mamma Mia!,” and “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” at WAAPA; and “Only Heaven Knows” (Luckiest Productions), which received nine Sydney Theatre Award nominations. For Opera Australia, Shaun has directed “Opera Up Late” for World Pride, “Mad Scenes” with Jessica Pratt and most recently the “New Years Eve Gala”. He was the Revival Director for “La Boheme” and “Aida” as well as being the Assistant Director on “The Phantom of the Opera” on Sydney Harbour, “Il Trovatore,” and “The Tales of Hoffmann.” Following RENT, Shaun will direct “Switzerland” at the Ensemble Theatre and “Gianni Schicchi” for Opera Australia.
Paul Jackson APDG is a multi-award-winning lighting and set designer, dramaturg and theatre maker who works across Australia and internationally. Paul’s practice encompasses theatre, opera, dance, music theatre, concerts, and live events. Lighting design credits include: for Melbourne Theatre Company, SUNDAY, CYRANO, ESCAPED ALONE/WHAT IF IF ONLY; for Sydney Theatre Company, OIL, DO NOT GO GENTLE, LIFESPAN OF A FACT, DEATH OF A SALESMAN; for Malthouse, NOSFERATU, THIS IS LIVING, HOUR OF THE WOLF. Paul has designed lighting for The Australian Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Berlin Staatsballett, West Australian Ballet, Victorian Opera, West Australian Opera, Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, TML, The Production Company, Bell Shakespeare, Playbox, Malthouse, Belvoir, Queensland Theatre, Circa, Opera Australia, Australian Art Orchestra, and many others. Paul has won a Helpmann Award, two Sydney Theatre Awards, seven Green Room Awards, a Critics’ Award for Theatre in Scotland, and five Australian Production Design Guild Awards. In addition, he has also received a further four Helpmann Award nominations, thirty-two Green Room Award nominations, five APDG nominations and four Sydney Theatre nominations. Paul is accredited with the Australian Production Design Guild.