Anthony Chan is among the few distinguished theatre professionals with expertise in not only playwriting and directing, but also acting, set design, theatre education and stage management. His scripts (including translations and adaptations) number more than 90; he has directed 64 productions and designed sets for 13 shows. A former Head of Directing and Playwriting at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts who served for 19 years at the institution, he has dedicated himself to nurturing a new generation of playwrights and directors. He also devised the curriculum for the MFA degree in Drama (Directing) before his departure from the Academy.

A frequent award-winner, Mr Chan was the 1991 Artists of the Year from the Hong Kong Artists’ Guild. Other accolades include “Outstanding Achievements of the Decade” in 1994 and “Outstanding Translator Award” in 2009 from the Hong Kong Federation of Drama Societies.

His scripts cover a wide range of topics, each a microcosm of dramatic mastery. Metamorphosis under the Stars, Cages Beast, Doomsday’s Wedding, Warm Fuzzies have been frequently revived in the past two decades; Formula of the Thunderstorm won Best Overall Performance at the 2000 Hong Kong Drama Awards. Most recently, he adapted Christopher Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus and created Reverie on an Empire , highlighting an often-overlooked event in modern Chinese history. All of these works reveal Mr Chan’s unique perspective and his ability to shape words for the stage, and his enthusiasm and talent in the dramatic arts. From many of his original works, written and directed by him, such as The Call of A White Orchard (premier in the Academy) recapturing the 70’s student movement, and the awards-winning work A Bowlful of Kindness embracing the family value and community unity of a nostalgic era, also the musical Field of Dreams how a football fanatics safeguarded his beliefs in face of life’s difficult choice in the time of uncertainty and war. All the works are clearly reflected Anthony’s concern and love upon the Hong Kong Society.

His works have been performed frequently overseas, in cities such as Edinburgh, London, Tarascon, Bordeaux, Toronto, Melbourne, Beijing and Shanghai.

Since assuming the position of Artistic Director at the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre (HKREP), Mr Chan also led the following productions: Caligula (translator, director), A Flea in Her Ear (adaptation, director), Boundless Movement (director), Cao Yu’s Last Soliloquy (playwright), Dr. Faustus (adaptation, director), Reverie of an Empire (playwright) and 18th Floor Flat C (director). He is dedicated to the artistic mission of the HKREP. Apart from contributing his talents in playwriting, directing and management, he has been an avid supporter of the development of local original dramas, theatre education and international exchange. Always keen to discover a new generation of theatre artists, he brings the HKREP onto new milestones.

Mr Chan obtained his MA from the University of Colorado at Denver, having received prior training in theatre, art and design. He is currently a member of the China Theatre Association, a juror of the Hong Kong Federation of Drama Societies and an assessor of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.