Tim O'Connor (born 13 September 1981) is an Australian theatre director, producer and playwright.

Career

When O'Connor finished school he volunteered in the office at

Harvest Rain Theatre Company Harvest Rain Theatre Company is a theatre company based in Brisbane, Australia, known for presenting professional musical theatre. Since its inception in 1985, Harvest Rain has produced theatre productions at a range of venues throughout Brisb ...

for three years. He was eventually employed and became more involved in administrative work. His first paid directors role was for a community play for Harvest Rain . When the opportunity arose he took over the role of running Harvest Rain. Since 2004, O'Connor was the Artistic Director of the Harvest Rain Theatre Company and subsequently became the CEO. However, as of December 2022, Harvest Rain Theatre Company (now rebranded as AVT Live) is reported as closed. In an interview with Katherine Sullivan, O'Connor said

... when I was coming up the ranks, so many people told me I’d never make it, ... But I say just because something hasn't been done doesn't mean it can't be done. If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way. Directing and producing are tricky and challenging, but if you’re passionate and curious about it, follow that curiosity.

He has directed Australian productions of musicals such as ''

Jesus Christ Superstar ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' is a sung-through rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Loosely based on the Gospels' accounts of the Passion, the work interprets the psychology of Jesus and other characters, with ...

'', ''

Hairspray Hairspray may refer to: * Hair spray, a personal grooming product that keeps hair protected from humidity and wind * ''Hairspray'' (1988 film), a film by John Waters ** ''Hairspray'' (1988 soundtrack), the film's soundtrack album ** ''Hairspray ...

'', ''

Oklahoma! ''Oklahoma!'' is the first musical theater, musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, ''Green Grow the Lilacs (play), Green Grow the Lilacs''. Set in farm country outside the town of ...

'', and ''

Spamalot ''Spamalot'' (also known as ''Monty Python's Spamalot'') is a musical comedy with music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, and lyrics and book by Idle. It is adapted from the 1975 film ''Monty Python and the Holy Grail''. Like the motion picture ...

'', as well as for writing, directing, and producing the world premiere stage adaptation of ''

The Neverending Story ''The Neverending Story'' (german: Die unendliche Geschichte) is a fantasy novel by German writer Michael Ende, published in 1979. The first English translation, by Ralph Manheim, was published in 1983. The novel was later adapted into several f ...

''. In 2013, he announced that the Harvest Rain Theatre Company would become Queensland's first professional musical theatre company, which involved payment to the lead actors who were often well-established professionals supported by its "internship program, donors, sponsors and ticket sales."

Training programs

O'Connor is the founder of the Brisbane Academy of Musical Theatre. Harvest Rain also ran the Australian Musical Theatre Workshop which hosted workshops and masterclasses in Brisbane and regional centres,

Awards

In 2011, O'Connor won a Groundling Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Queensland Theatre Industry. In 2012 he was nominated for Brisbane's person of the year. In 2014, he won a Gold Matilda Award for his work with Harvest Rain and was also nominated for Best Director for ''

''.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:OConnor, Tim Australian theatre directors Australian theatre managers and producers 1981 births Living people