As a maverick of global stage productions, Garry McQuinn operates at the heart of untold stories and new audiences. Adept at strumming the tension between the creative and commercial worlds, Garry has been instrumental in opening the world of commercial theatre to Australian talent. Before winning a scholarship to NIDA’s production course, Gary spent his youth playing semi-professional football and surf-lifesaving. The move from the Steelworks furnace-floor to the theatre floor happened when immigrant co-workers encouraged Garry to try something new. Garry has championed quintessentially Australian stories such as Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Tap Dogs, taking them from Broadway, to the West End and right around the globe. As far back as 1995, Garry took indigenous storytelling in the form of Ningali, to the Edinburgh Festival and the Southbank. His practice of fostering Australian talent has resulted in a four-decade relationship with NIDA;  educating, raising money and currently serving as a member of the NIDA Foundation Trust to support the next generation of Australian talent.

Leveraging a degree in Dramatic Art, a law degree, and an MBA, Garry has spearheaded the evolution of theatre in new and emerging markets. He is the lead producer and managing partner responsible for driving Priscilla’s international success, to date the show has played to almost 6 million people in 135 cities around the world. Garry’s list of credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Steaming, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Boy From Oz, Blood Brothers and Showboat. As joint Managing Director of Back Row Productions, Garry has toured many international shows including Tap Dogs, Slava’s Snowshow, Mums the Word, Gumboots, Fosse, Shaolin Monks of China, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Jerry Seinfeld, Cats and Circus OZ. Garry continues to challenge standard assumptions and accepted paradigms. His impressive list of upcoming works shows a strong commitment to telling Australian stories globally and championing talented writers.

Garry McQuinn