<div><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>"It is a really great privilege to lead Sydney Theatre Company," the newspaper reported the pair as saying in a statement.</p><p>"We hope more and more people, especially those in Sydney, will find their way to the company and join us on this incredible ride."</p><p>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.</p><p>They also secured the patronage of Italian fashion icon Giorgio Armani.</p><p>Sydney Theatre Company chair Ian Darling told the newspaper he was delighted Blanchett and Upton would continue as artistic directors for a second term.</p><p>"In their first two years they've transformed the company and the way many people feel about it," he said.</p><p>"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."</p><p>Blanchett won an Oscar for her portrayal of Katharine Hepburn in the 2004 film "The Aviator."</p><p>The Sydney Theatre Company could not be reached for comment Friday.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=66199133&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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