Tim O'Connor (theatre director)

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

Tim O'Connor
O'Connor in 2019
Born (1981-09-13) 13 September 1981 (age 43)
Brisbane, Australia
Occupation(s)Theatre director, theatrical producer, playwright, author
Years active1993–2022

Career

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When O'Connor finished school he volunteered in the office at Harvest Rain Theatre Company for three years. He was eventually employed and became more involved in administrative work.[1] His first paid directors role was for a community play at Harvest Rain.[2]

Since 2004, O'Connor was the Artistic Director of the Harvest Rain Theatre Company and subsequently became the CEO.[2][3] The company, rebranded as AVT Live, closed in 2022 after multiple allegations of sexual crimes indicated Tim as the perpetrator.[4]

He has directed Harvest Rain productions of musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar,[5] Hairspray,[6] Oklahoma!,[7] and Spamalot,[8] as well as writing, directing, and producing the world premiere stage adaptation of The Neverending Story.[9]

O'Connor founded the Brisbane Academy of Musical Theatre.[10][11] Harvest Rain also ran Youth Theatre Workshops and the Australian Musical Theatre Workshop which hosted workshops and masterclasses in Brisbane and regional centres.[12][13]

Awards

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In 2011, O'Connor won a Groundling Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Queensland Theatre Industry.[14] In 2012 he was nominated for Brisbane's person of the year.[9] In 2014, he won a Gold Matilda Award for his work with Harvest Rain and was also nominated for Best Director for Spamalot.[15]

Personal life

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In November 2022, O'Connor was arrested and charged with multiple sex offences against children and young adults.[16][17]

References

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  1. ^ "Interview : Harvest Rain's Tim O'Connor". Creative Issue. 28 September 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Spotlight on Tim O'Connor". Aussie Theatre. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  3. ^ "Our Team". Harvest Rain. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  4. ^ Hope, Zach (9 November 2022). "National arena shows cancelled amid Queensland sexual assault allegations". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Review : Jesus Christ Superstar: Harvest Rain THeatre". Actors Greenroom. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  6. ^ "Hairspray – Harvest Rain Theatre Company". Aussie Theatre. 27 June 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  7. ^ "Oklahoma! Harvest Rain comes sweeping down the plain". Stage Whispers. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  8. ^ "Spamalot Review : Brisbane". Scenestr. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  9. ^ a b "World Premiere of The Neverending Story: Magical, enchanting and spectacular". Aussie Theatre. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  10. ^ "Brisbane Academy of Musical Theatre". Brisbane Academy of Musical Theatre. March 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  11. ^ "Teaching Staff". Brisbane Academy of Musical Theatre. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  12. ^ "Training". Harvest Rain. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  13. ^ "The stars are coming". Australian Musical Theatre Workshop. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  14. ^ "2011 Groundling Award winners". Actors Greenroom. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  15. ^ "Gold Matilda Award Winners 2014". Matilda Awards. March 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
  16. ^ "Two Brisbane men charged with more than 70 offences including sexual assault and rape". November 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  17. ^ "Former boss of Brisbane's Harvest Rain Theatre Company Timothy O'Connor faces court on child and adult sexual offence charges". 2 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.