Born on 30 October 1932, John Clark's legacy to Australian theatre is massive. Originally from Hobart, his keen interest in archaeology took him to Oxford University in the UK where he also became involved with their theatre crowd. He studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and at Bristol University and would go on to design scenery for their productions.
Returning to Hobart in 1959 he directed a production of Death of a Salesman for the Hobart Repertory Theatre Society. He was offered a job at NIDA at the end of 1959 and became their Director in 1969 until 2004. Originally housed in a two-story wooden building which was once the jockey's changing rooms for the old Kensington Racecourse, by the time John retired from NIDA there were four theatres, which included the new Parade Theatre, a total of nine rehearsal rooms, a film and television studio, costume, scenery and properties workshops and a library, all done under his directorship.
He also played pivotal roles with The Old Tote Theatre and Jane Street Theatre and at the closure of the Old Tote, he and Elizabeth Butcher formed The Sydney Theatre Company as its initial Artistic Advisor and curator, and its Administrator. They also curated the STC's first season at the Sydney Opera House in 1979.
John sat on the Board of the Northside Theatre Company from 1983 until 1989 and Chaired the NSW Government Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs from 1976 through to 1980.
Never forgetting his Tasmanian roots, John would return to his hometown of Hobart where he directed productions for the Old Nick Company, of which he was made a life member.
He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1981 for services to the theatre and in 2006 received the Helpmann Lifetime Achievement Award.
John had an enormous impact on the Australian theatrical scene and entertainment scene in general, mentoring many leading identities such as Cate Blanchett, Mel Gibson and Baz Luhrmann.
John Clark died on 3 April 2026, aged 93.
