Shaun Rennie is an award-winning director whose work spans opera, theatre, musical theatre and live events. With a foundation as a professional singer and performer, Shaun’s career has evolved into one of Australia’s most dynamic cross-genre voices.
In 2005 Shaun created Light the Night, a large-scale benefit concert. Over its ten-year run, the event raised significant funds for leukaemia research while celebrating community and connection through song.
Shaun has worked with some of Australia’s most beloved artists – including Emma Pask, Katie Noonan, Lior, The Idea of North, Human Nature, Wendy Matthews, Anthony Callea, Queenie van de Zandt, Casey Donovan and many more.
Currently serving as the Associate Director at Opera Australia, Shaun’s recent projects include Guys and Dolls on Sydney Harbour (Opera Australia), Switzerland (Ensemble Theatre), the Australian National Tour of Rent, and Gianni Schicchi (Opera Australia). He directed the world premiere of The Lovers (Bell Shakespeare) and the sold-out 25th Anniversary production of Rent at the Sydney Opera House in 2021.
For Opera Australia, Shaun has directed The New Year’s Eve Gala (2023), Opera Up Late for World Pride, Greatest Opera Hits, The Verdi Gala, BMW Opera for All and Mad Scenes with Jessica Pratt. He has also served as Revival Director for La Bohème (2022–2023) and AIDA, Assistant Director for The Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour, and Assistant Director for The Tales of Hoffmann and Il Trovatore.
Shaun’s contributions to Australian theatre include premieres such as Jess and Joe Forever (Belvoir’s 25A), Tennessee Williams’ Baby Doll (Ensemble Theatre), and I Am My Own Wife (Redline). Other notable credits include The View Upstairs (Hayes Theatre), The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Darlinghurst Theatre), Suddenly Last Summer (Ensemble Theatre), Trevor (Outhouse), Considering Matthew Shepard (Sydney Philharmonia) and Only Heaven Knows, which received nine Sydney Theatre Award nominations.
Shaun is currently the Australian Associate Director of the acclaimed Regent’s Park production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Shaun’s production of Rent will return to the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House, and he will close out 2025 in Lyon, France, reviving Damiano Michieletto’s award-winning production of The Tales of Hoffmann for Opéra Lyon.
