About

Jane Woollard is a professional theatre director, researcher and teacher, and graduate of Melbourne University, VCA School of Drama and RMIT University, Jane completed her doctoral research at La Trobe University investigating the life and work of Eliza Winstanley, star of the early Australian stage. Since 2018 she has been employed by the University of Tasmania and is Coordinator of the Theatre and Performance major, and Senior Lecturer Theatre, School of Creative Arts and Media.

Jane has extensive experience as a teacher of tertiary Theatre and Drama subjects, having taught at Monash University, University of Melbourne, VCA Theatre and at La Trobe University. She has directed many productions and has mentored many emerging writers, performers, designers and directors, especially while in the role of Artistic Director at Union House Theatre at the University of Melbourne 1999–2002. As Artistic Director of Here Theatre, work has included: Aelfgyva, Jane Woollard, (2003 Melbourne Autumn Music Festival); True Adventures of a Soul Lost at Sea, Kit Lazaroo (RE Ross Award, 2004 Trades Hall); The Time is not yet Ripe, Louis Esson, (GRAA Best Ensemble, 2006 Northcote Town Hall); Asylum, Kit Lazaroo (Wal Cherry Play of the Year, VPL Awards Shortlist, 2007 & 2008 La Mama); Letters from Animals, Kit Lazaroo (Storeroom Theatre Workshop 2007); Topsy, Kit Lazaroo (fortyfive downstairs, 2007 RE Ross Award); and Bright Shiny & Green Nights Underfoot, Kit Lazaroo, (La Mama, 2015). Jane has made two works focusing on the lives of early nineteenth century actresses in Australia: Miss W Treads, was presented at La Mama’s Courthouse Theatre in September 2017, and Ghosts of the Olympic Theatre was presented at the Launceston Post Office for the 2019 Junction Arts Festival. A new work with Kit Lazaroo, Fahrenheit Ammonite, is in development.

Her scholarly work appears in Australasian Drama Studies, Theatralia and Performance Paradigm.