Campion Decent quits

After nearly three years as Artistic Director of HotHouse Theatre, Campion Decent tonight announced that he will be leaving the company due to personal circumstances effective immediately.

“I am dealing with a family situation now that makes it impossible to continue in the short to medium term and I think it best for HotHouse that I leave now so the company can move forward rather than tread water throughout the coming year,” Decent said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board, Artistic Directorate and especially my colleagues on staff for their extraordinary support and work during my time as Artistic Director and indeed throughout my 8-year association with HotHouse. It has been a privilege to serve alongside so many wonderful people. It is what makes the company such a special contributor in Australia’s theatre landscape.”

Decent first joined the company as an Artistic Directorate member, a position that he held from 2003 – 2007. During that time, he was Festival Director for The Biting Dog Theatre Festival and commissioned writer of the award winning play Embers, which was produced in partnership with Sydney Theatre Company and toured extensively throughout small communities in Victoria in 2006 and remounted for a successful 2009 National Tour.

In 2007, Decent was appointed Artistic Director and introduced a diverse and flexible programming model partnering with innovative companies and supporting high quality local projects.

This has resulted in the presentation of HotHouse commissions across the country and will see it’s latest commission Propaganda – by locally based physical theatre company, Acrobat tour internationally in 2010.

During his time in the Albury Wodonga community he held positions on the Write Around The Murray committee and Border Trust.

Lisa Mahood, Chair of HotHouse Theatre, said losing Decent was a huge blow.

“We are incredibly sad to be losing Campion under such circumstances,” she said.

“He has made such an impact on both the company and the community during his time with us. Campions contribution to the company has put us in a position to deliver exciting new works over the next three years and he has partnered us with some fantastic new individuals and companies in the industry. We will greatly miss Campion’s generosity, humour, and vision for our organisation, but look forward to our ongoing relationship with him as a commissioned writer and advocate for the company.”

HotHouse Theatre will be looking to appoint a new Artistic Leader by March 2010. The position will be advertised early in February 2010. The appointment will commence work on the 2011 program.

Tom Healey, a previous Artistic Directorate member will step in as Acting Artistic Director.