About me
I started when I was 16 when a wonderful English teacher introduced me to the world of theatre. Let's hear it for teachers! Until hten, I had no idea such as thing existed! There have been some hiatus(es) over the years but to now, I have directed over 20 plays and written 9 major plays – all of which have been performed several times to box office and critical success. I still do the full length play and indeed, it is my first love. Over the past three years I have become involved in the Short+Sweet Festival Sydney - People's Choice in the first year and Gala Finalist in the next two years, PAC emember for New Theatre (play selection for seasons) as well as becoming the Literary and Project Manager for The Factory Space Theatre Company.
Additionally, a keynote speaker and entertainment director for the annual Jane Austen Festival, held in Canberra each April.
Post graduate qualifications: taught English literature and Drama and been an examiner for both areas for the NSW Board of Studies. I have trained applicants for acting schools all over the world (including Stella Adler in NYC) - all have been accepted with high entrance marks.
Academic achievements
Bachelor of Arts (University of New South Wales)
Diploma of Education (University of Wollongong)
Diploma of Applied Science (Library) (Edith Cowan University)
Certificate in Theatrical Direction (NIDA)
Other achievements
Literary and Project Manager for Factory Space Theatre Company (current)
Judging Co-ordinator Short+Sweet Festival Sydney 2012 and 2013
Playwright – of 9 major plays – all performed in Australia and overseas, to box office and critical success.
Adaptation to the stage - Written and directed stage adaptations of Pride & Prejudice - performed in Australia and the United States; Les Liaisons Dangereuses - performed in Australia and translated into Thai & performed in Thailand 2012; and The Scarlet Pimpernel - performed in Australia and England. The Making of Elizabeth: a contemporary adaptation of Shaw's "Pygmalion" (Australia). Most recently Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility (Australia).and Pride & Prejudice (anniversay 2013 for FSTC)
Professional Producer/Director of over 20 plays
Wrote and directed Cry Wolf (Honorable Mention New York New Works of Merit Playwriting Competition 2003), performed in New York at 13th St Repertory Co. Oct/Nov 2004). Performed at Workshop Theatre, July 2004 and Factory Space Sydney July 2006.
Wrote and directed Pipe Dreams
Wrote and directed Gentlemen Incorporated (currently optioned for film) and performed every year since 1992 by various companies throughout the world.
Wrote and directed The Jocasta Complexity: June 2005
Wrote and directed Hell’s Belles April 2007 / October 2008
Wrote and directed The Making of Elizabeth August 2009
Adapted and directed J.Caesar July 2011
Adapted and directed Sense & Sensibility July 2012
Adapted Pride & Prejudice for a bi-centennial produciton 2013
Produced and directed over 20 plays including: Don’s Party; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Arsenic and Old Lace; Blithe Spirit; Valentino – The Musical; Julius Caesar; Whose Life is it Anyway?; Butterflies are Free; Harlequinade; Goodbye Charlie; The Fantastics and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Artist development - successfully trained applicants to audition for acting schools Stella Adler in New York and Creative Arts at Wollongong University. Attended La Mama International Playwrights' Symposium 2009 and La Mama International Directors' Symposium 2013.
Invited fellow - Cambridge University (England) Footlights Revue 1973
President of the Illawarra Council for the Performing Arts (1984‑85) successfully securing of funds and completing the construction of the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.
Business Manager (and Life Member) of Wollongong Workshop Theatre (1978-2001)
Life member Workshop Theatre
Member Ars Viva (1976-1979).
Member, Playworks, New Theatre and Factory Space Theatre Company
Founding member, Lake Theatre Group and Parramatta Theatre Company.
Actor – early years in theatre played various roles including Kate (Taming of the Shrew), Raina (Arms & The Man) and Titania (Midsummer Night’s Dream). More recently, Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?