Cate Blanchett extends stay at Sydney Theatre Company

(AFP PHOTO/SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY/LISA TOMASETTI)

Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett will extend her term as artistic director of one of Australia's biggest theatre companies until 2013, reports said Friday.

Blanchett and writer husband Andrew Upton began their three-year term as joint artistic directors of the Sydney Theatre Company in early 2008. They will now remain in those roles until late 2013, The Australian said.

"It is a really great privilege to lead Sydney Theatre Company," the newspaper reported the pair as saying in a statement.

"We hope more and more people, especially those in Sydney, will find their way to the company and join us on this incredible ride."

Blanchett and her husband have been credited with bringing international film and theatre directors into STC productions, including Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh, whose films include "Ocean's Eleven" and "Erin Brockovich", and actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.

They also secured the patronage of Italian fashion icon Giorgio Armani.

Sydney Theatre Company chair Ian Darling told the newspaper he was delighted Blanchett and Upton would continue as artistic directors for a second term.

"In their first two years they've transformed the company and the way many people feel about it," he said.

"I'm pleased they will stay to build on what they have already achieved in terms of quality and diversity of productions, artform development and education."

Blanchett won an Oscar for her portrayal of Katharine Hepburn in the 2004 film "The Aviator."

The Sydney Theatre Company could not be reached for comment Friday.