Former Qantas boss Alan Joyce has resigned from the Sydney Theatre Company, as the embattled theatre faces huge losses after protests linked to the Israel-Hamas war rocked its supporter base and shocked donors.

In a letter sent to his fellow board members, Mr Joyce said he “had every intention of returning to take the role of chairman” after his leave of absence ends in February. But he said that the challenges facing the theatre company would require “significant time”, a nod to the outcry when actors donned keffiyehs on stage in support of Palestine during a curtain call in November 2023.