Drama News

Pippin

Drama staff member Mr Stephen Colyer is directing Pippin

Stephen Colyer is a Sydney-based theatre director, teacher, and performer whose career spans dance, musical theatre, and drama. He trained at the Victorian College of the Arts, the Australian Ballet School, and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), and holds a BA/BEd from the University of New South Wales.

As a director, Mr Colyer has established a strong reputation for his dynamic staging and actor-focused process. His work with Gaiety Theatre and across Sydney’s independent theatre scene has highlighted his passion for bringing diverse voices to the stage. For Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Mr Colyer has directed productions including Falsettos, Torch Song Trilogy, Fit to Be Tied, Boston Marriage, Dying City, Hello Again, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and No Way to Treat a Lady. His acclaimed revival of Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy was remounted in 2018 after its original 2013 production.

Mr Colyer has also worked widely as a resident director on large-scale musicals. He has served as resident director for Dirty Dancing, The Full Monty, The Rocky Horror Show, and Cabaret. On behalf of Sam Mendes, Mr Colyer directed Cabaret in Madrid, Seoul, and Paris. In Canberra, he directed Mary Poppins for Free Rain Theatre Company.

Alongside his directing, Mr Colyer’s background as a dancer has informed his choreographic and teaching practice. He has also worked as the dance supervisor and a choreographer on the ABC TV series Dance Academy. He has performed with companies such as The Australian Ballet, The Royal Ballet of Flanders, Feld Ballet New York, and Opera Australia. He has also appeared in film (Moulin Rouge, Scooby Doo) and stage musicals (Beauty and the Beast, My Fair Lady, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Tabaluga and Lili, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, The Sound of Music, Damn Yankees).

Student productions he has directed or choreographed include The Book of Everything, Twelfth Night, The Government Inspector, and Much Ado About Nothing at Wenona. Curtains and Once on This Island at Redlands School. Romeo and Juliet and Little Women at Ascham. Living With Lady Macbeth at Kambala and Great Expectations at Cranbrook.

Stephen Colyer’s career reflects a commitment to both the artistry of musical theatre and the integrity of socially resonant drama. His work consistently blends theatrical precision with a focus on inclusivity, ensuring that theatre speaks to diverse audiences and remains an accessible, vital cultural form.

Quote/Trivia

Saying ‘Macbeth’ in a theatre (unless you’re performing) is bad luck

If you’ve ever spent time with an actor or theatre maker, you’ll know that saying ‘Macbeth’ in a theatre, unless you’re performing or rehearsing the tragedy, is bad luck, as it is believed to be deeply cursed. Instead, actors call it ‘The Scottish Play.’

According to legend, the actor playing Lady Macbeth in the first-ever performance of the play died suddenly, meaning Shakespeare himself had to play the role. In one performance, a real dagger was used instead of a prop, killing the actor.

There were also audience riots at productions in 1721, 1772 and 1849, the latter allegedly leaving 22 dead. Probably best to play it safe and stick to ‘The Scottish Play’ inside theatres.

Peter Eyers
Head of Drama