You might think that I am as mad as a cut snake but I really was not expecting to find such an abundance of theatres. Jingoes, I thought, of course there are so many theatre companies. Australia is a huge country and continent rich with culture and history. I decided to stop being a wombat and reach out to my mate, Jeneffa to learn more…
Malini: I know Australia is a huge continent with a rich and diverse history. Where is theatre in the landscape?
Jeneffa: Predominately in all the major cities: Sydney Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra. And Adelaide has the second largest Arts Festivals, second to Edinburgh.
Malini: Is there underground or independent theatre?
I only know of Sydney and Melbourne. Sydney’s independent theatre is very small and exclusively curated, which leaves many people wanting to work, but only a few can. Melbourne’s independent theatre scene is a lot larger, with non-curated theatres and therefore a lot more exciting independent theatre.
Malini: Over the years, you have travelled around the world performing (both on stage and on screen) but you always return to your home to create there. What’s the drive and how do you manage creating all over the world?
Jeneffa: Actually I always return to NYC to create, I tried to create in Australia, but Sydney’s independent theatre scene is so small, as I mentioned above, and as almost all the theatres are curated, it makes it not only difficult but completely uninspiring. I did have a small successful theatre company with other talented local artists but with a limited growth potential I focused on acting more internationally. Maybe if Melbourne was my home town I would have a different response, as they have a thriving independent theatre scene. When I return to Sydney, I predominately return to teach and coach actors, to impart the knowledge and experience I have garnered from working with many marvelous artists from around the world, and also to direct.
Jeneffa Soldatic is an Australian Actor, Acting Coach, Director and Producer. She holds a MFA from The Actors Studio Drama School. She has been working internationally in theatre and film for over 20 years. In 2004 she became a life member of The Actors Studio. In the last 2 years alone, Jeneffa’s stage credits include: Alice in Theresa’s Land, The Guardian Angel (for the ONE Festival), Mrs. Mao, The Winter of Our Discontent and Summer of Love (Non Disposable Productions). TV and film credits include: Then That Happened, What Tomorrow Brings, Strange LA, The Edge of the Night and currently in development, Ordinary. Directing credits include Speaking in Tongues (Australian Theatre Company), Be Careful What You Wish For (Edinburgh Fringe), Dolores (Pick of the Fringe, Hollywood Fringe Festival), The Girl Who Loved The Beatles (nom. Best International Production HFF), Then That Happened, and Becoming Mary. She continues to coach many well known and award winning international actors, and runs her acting workshops internationally.
Visit Australian Stage and Aussie Theatre for a current listing of shows running on various stages across the country. Stage Milk also actor resources. Check out this list of theatres courtesy of Wikipedia:
A
Abhinay School of Performing Arts
The Actors’ Company
Adelaide Repertory Theatre
Altona City Theatre
Arts Theatre Cronulla
Australian Performing Group
La Boite Theatre Company
Australian Theatre for Young People
B
Back to Back Theatre
Barking Gecko Theatre Company
Bell Shakespeare
Belvoir (theatre company)
Big hART
Black Swan State Theatre Company
Black Theatre (Sydney)
Brink Productions
D
Difficult Women
E
Edgley International
Essgee Entertainment
F
Full Throttle Theatre Company
G
Gemco Players
Genesian Theatre
The Gorgeous Group
Griffin Theatre Company
H
Handspan Theatre
Harvest Rain Theatre Company
K
Kookaburra Musical Theatre
L
Launceston Players
M
Magnormos
Melbourne Theatre Company
Melbourne Workers Theatre
Mercury Theatre (Australia)
MKA: Theatre of New Writing
N
New Musicals Australia
New Theatre (Newtown)
Nimrod Theatre Company
O
Old Nick Company
Old Tote Theatre Company
Oscar Theatre Company
P
Patch Theatre Company
Perth Theatre Company
Perth Youth Theatre
Popular Theatre Troupe
The Production Company
Q
Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble
Queensland Theatre Company
R
Redcliffe Musical Theatre
Riverina Theatre Company
Round Earth Theatre Company
S
Shakespeare by the Sea (Australia)
Shopfront
Snarling Beasties
Snuff Puppets
Splinters Theatre of Spectacle
Sport For Jove Theatre Company
State Theatre Company of South Australia
Street Arts
The Suitcase Royale
Sydney Theatre Company
Sydney University Dramatic Society
T
Tamarama Rock Surfers
Tasmanian Theatre Company
Theatre in Decay
TN! Theatre Company
Track Youth Theatre
U
University of Adelaide Theatre Guild
V
The Village Players
W
Windmill Performing Arts
Windmill Theatre Company
Y
Yirra Yaakin
Z
Za Kabuki