Kitan Petkovski (he/him) is a theatre director, dramaturg and producer of Macedonian heritage currently working and living in Naarm (Melbourne). His work has featured in international festivals and on renowned stages across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Kitan's practice focuses on developing new writing and directing work that experiments with cross-form and queer dramaturgies. A key feature in his work is the integration of live music.

Kitan is currently the Creative Associate at Theatre Works and a panel member for the Theatre Companies Green Room Awards.

In 2023, Kitan's award-winning production of The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven by Jo Clifford returned to Melbourne and played to sold-out houses at fortyfivedownstairs. His production of BURGERZ premiered at Theatre Works as the first international adaptation of the acclaimed work by Travis Alabanza. Kitan is the 2023 directing recipient of the Besen Family Artist Program with Malthouse Theatre. In the latter half of 2023, Kitan will assistant direct the world premiere production of My Sister Jill with Susie Dee at Melbourne Theatre Company and he will direct the Victorian premiere of In the Club by Patricia Cornelius at Theatre Works. 

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"Rarely does a work come along that can only be described as perfect... Kitan Petkovski masterfully directs [The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven], his influence can be seen in the smallest moment to the overarching drive of the work – there is not a moment that is not considered, respected and given reverence." (Australian Arts Review)

In 2022, Kitan's production of The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven by Jo Clifford won 2x Melbourne Green Room Awards for Best Independent Production and Best Composition and Sound Design, and Kitan was nominated for Best Direction. Alternative Futures, conceived and directed by Kitan also received a nomination for Best Composition and Sound Design. The same year, Kitan directed Nora: A Doll's House by Stef Smith for the Actors' Program (Herald Theatre, Auckland) and the world premiere of No Ball Games Allowed by Kristen Smyth (Theatre Works, Melbourne).

 

He is the co-founder and creative director of Bullet Heart Club with collaborator and writer Ro Bright. In 2021, Kitan directed the world premiere of The Hall by Ro Bright and Pat Irwin (Festival of Colour, Wanaka). Bullet Heart Club received a Scotsman Fringe First Award for their gig-theatre show Daffodils (a play with songs) at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh. In 2019 Daffodils was released as a feature film.

 

Kitan holds an MFA in directing from the Victorian College of the Arts and is a Director's Lab Melbourne alumni. He has been the recipient of the Melbourne Global Scholars Award and Cybec Foundation Scholarship. He was mentored by director/performer Cora Bissett at the National Theatre of Scotland and director/festival curator Neil Armfield AO at Belvoir St Theatre.

 

Kitan's work has been commissioned by Creative Victoria, Australia Council for the Arts, the Victorian Government, Creative New Zealand, Creative Scotland, City of Melbourne, City of Port Phillip, The Tron Theatre (Glasgow), Auckland Live and Festival of Colour (Wanaka).

Kitan's work has been presented at the Traverse Theatre (Edinburgh), Salisbury International Arts Festival, Brisbane Powerhouse, Merrigong Theatre Company, Theatre Works (St Kilda), Riverside National Theatre of Parramatta, The Butterfly Club, Herald Theatre (Auckland), Festival of Colour (Wanaka), Nelson Arts Festival, Tauranga Arts Festival, Christchurch Arts Festival, Q Theatre (Auckland), Auckland Town Hall, Hawke's Bay Arts Festival, Kokomai Creative Festival, Taranaki International Arts Festival, Upsurge Festival, Meteor Theatre, Oamaru Opera House, Floor Pride Civic Theatre, Regent on Broadway, QT Museum Hotel and Sanfran Bath House.