Mitchell Butel

Background

About Mitchell Butel

Mitchell Butel has been Artistic Director and Co-CEO of State Theatre Company South Australia since March 2019. Mitchell holds four Helpmann Awards, four Sydney Theatre Awards and two Victorian Green Room Awards for his work as a director, producer, actor and writer in Australian theatre over three decades. He has also worked in New York, London, Hong Kong and New Zealand. He has worked extensively for State Theatre Company South Australia, Sydney Theatre Company, Melbourne Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre, Belvoir, Bell Shakespeare, Griffin, Malthouse, Opera Australia, Sydney Chamber Opera, Pinchgut Opera, The Production Company, David Atkins Enterprises, New Theatricals, Gordon Frost Organisation, The Hayes Theatre, New Victory Theatre, Southbank Centre, London and for various festivals: Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, SummerSalt Melbourne, Noosa and Adelaide Cabaret Festivals on over 150 professional productions and events incorporating classical repertoire, new Australian work, current international writing, music theatre, opera, symphonic works, contemporary music and physical theatre. Mitchell also holds two AACTA nominations for his work as an actor in Australian feature films. Mitchell was in The Australian’s inaugural Top 100 Arts and Culture List in 2022. During Mitchell’s tenure at STCSA, the Company has increased subscriptions, single ticket sales and new audiences; received multiple Adelaide Ruby Awards; was the first Australian theatre company to return to the mainstage after the 2020 Covid lockdown (opening the newly renovated Her Majesty's Theatre with Gaslight) and during that lockdown, the Company also broadcast one of the world’s largest digital theatre offerings with the acclaimed 9-hour series Decameron 2.0. In 2022, the Company’s co-production of Girl from the North Country became the highest selling show in its 50-year history. In 2023, the Company’s sold-out co-production of The Dictionary of Lost Words, which Mitchell commissioned, became the highest attended production on record in the 49-year history of Dunstan Playhouse. 2023 also saw the most extensive national and international touring schedule in the Company’s history with tours of Girls & Boys, The Goat or, Who is Sylvia, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, The Dictionary of Lost Words, The Boy Who Talked to Dogs and Euphoria. As a performer, Mitchell has worked for every Australian state theatre company, for various commercial & independent theatre producers & for every Australian free-to-air television network as well as Stan & Netflix.