Janice is an experienced theatre and opera director, writer and dramaturg who has made work for leading companies and festivals around Australia. She also works as an educator. She is adept at leading creative teams with empathy and skill, and shaping inclusive, surprising and thought-provoking productions.
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EDUCATION:
Master Arts & Cultural Management, University of Melbourne, (2025-)
Diploma of Modern Languages, German, UNE (2023)
Graduate Diploma in Theatre Directing, VCA (1998) Bachelor of Arts (Theatre Studies) UNSW (1996)
Certificate in Radio Broadcasting AFTRS (1989)
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Short Courses:
Intro to Screenwriting Jonathon Ogilvie, AFTRS (2021)
Writing for Television, Susan Bowers, AFTRS (2021) Directing for Screen, Elissa Down, AFTRS (2022)
SCHOLARSHIPS:
2006 Goethe Institute & Playwriting Australia's Dramaturgy Scholarship: 6 week directing attachment at Maxim Gorki Theater, Berlin, and with directing group Rimini Protokoll.
2004 Goethe Institute Language Tuition Scholarship, 4 weeks, Berlin
2003 VCA Keith & Elisabeth Murdoch Travelling Scholarship: observed productions in Spain and Germany including premiere of Eraritjaritjaka, Musee des Phrases by Heiner Goebbels at Théâtre-Vidy, Lausanne. Spent 2 months in India with The Company Theatre.
2001 Royal Court International Residency, London (supported by Australia Council & British Council); directed a moved reading of Her Mother and Bartok by Meredith Oakes
THEATRE:
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2024 & 2023
Garage Girls by Three Birds Theatre/The Shift Theatre, La Mama seasons & regional Victorian tours
2019 - Australian Realness by Zooey Dawson, Malthouse Theatre,
2018 - Good Muslim Boy, co-written with Osamah Sami Malthouse & Queensland Theatre,
Creative Producer: ‘Nibble, Nibble Little Mouse…’ an immersive theatrical experience for primary school aged children, inspired by Hansel and Gretel, developed with 5 creatives and all 60 students of Newstead Primary School. Presented at the Newstead Arts Hub.(Supported by Regional Arts Victoria),
Revolt, She Said. Revolt Again by Alice Birch, Malthouse Theatre
Green Room Award Nomination Best Ensemble.
2016 - Lake Disappointment, Carriageworks. (Nominated for 5 Sydney Theatre Awards– Best New Work, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Director, Best Lighting Design (won), Best Sound Design)
​Director in Residence, Malthouse Theatre.
Turbine by Dan Giovannoni, Suitcase Series, Education Program, Malthouse Theatre (two seasons and two regional tours) (2016 & 2017)
2015 - The Tribe, co-written with Mohammed Ahmad, Bankstown Live, UtP/Sydney Festival, Belvoir, Castlemaine State Festival, The Substation (2015-17)
2013 - Milawa Monologues, by Margaret Hickey, Milawa
co-producer, concept and creative lead, Quay to the City, a promenade work presented in The Rocks, Sydney and featuring 30 young performers, 6 historic buildings and 5 lead creatives. Presented in partnership with atyp, Sydney Living Museums, SHFA and The Big Dig.curator, Melbourne’s first season of co-producer, White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, by Nassim Soleimanpour, Malthouse Theatre
2012 - dramaturg, Miss Julie by Strindberg, dir. Cristabel Sved, Darlinghurst Theatre
2010 - director, Alaska by DC Moore, Under the Wharf, atyp
A Woman in Berlin, (co-adapted with Meredith Penman)
Old Fitz 2009, /Malthouse 2010
Room 806, for X-Wohnungen Suburbs, HAU Berlin 2005
The Country by Martin Crimp, B Sharp Belvoir, 2003
Psychopathia Sexualis, Redstich, 2002
Crave by Sarah Kane, B Sharp Belvoir 2001
Kindertransport, Saltpillar Theatre, 2000
Dead Girls Are Fantastic by Lally Katz, Next Wave, 2000
The Mandragola, by Machiavelli, PACT Theatre, 1997
OPERA:​
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La Traviata – Associate director to dir. Sarah Giles on premiere production at Opera Queensland (2022) Later presented at WA Opera, SOSA and OA.
Internship with director Jetske Mijnnsen, Katja Kabanova, Komische Oper Berlin (2021)
Director, world premiere Ned by Luke Smiles/Peter Goldsworthy, Perth Festival/Lost & Found Opera (2019)
Director, world premiere Biographica by Mary Finsterer/Tom Wright, Sydney Chamber Opera/Sydney Festival (2017)
ASSISTANT DIRECTING:​
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​Death and the Maiden, dir.Letitia Cáceras, MTC, (2015)
A Winter’s Tale, dir. John Bell, Bell Shakespeare (2014)
Antigone, dir. Chris Kohn, Belvoir (2008)
The Misanthrope, (Martin Crimp) dir. Simon Phillips, MTC (1999)
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DRAMATURGY:
Janice works regularly as a script assessor and dramaturg.
She has worked with numerous writers and companies including My Darling Patricia on The Piper, Sydney Festival/ Edinburgh (2014), Winner: Best Production for Children, Sydney Theatre Awards.
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Janice has been a mentor for atyp’s Fresh Ink program, a script assessor for Playbox, Griffin and ANPC (now APT), and has led two new work developments at National Playwriting Festivals.
​TEACHING/MENTORING:
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Janice has worked as a casual guest lecturer and tutor for the Masters in Directing Program VCA, (2017-21) and has taught and mentored emerging artists at Collarts, Swinburne, National Theatre St Kilda, atyp, St. Martin’s Youth Arts Centre & ACCOCo's Young Singer's Program.
Student productions include:
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The White Rose Musical (Patterson & Christie) second year, Federation University (2024).
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Oedipus Doesn’t Live Here Anymore by Daniel Evans, graduating class, National Theatre St.Kilda (2023)
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