Stavros Economidis is a Greek Cypriot, born in Cairo, Egypt in 1945. He migrated to Australia in 1960 with his mother and siblings after the death of his father. His older brother had emigrated to Australia a few years earlier, paving the way for the remaining family members. In 1965 he met his mentor, Chrysostomos Mantouridis, who introduced him to the theatre. In 1983, the Hellenic Art Theatre was established with Stavros as its Artistic Director.