PETA DOWNES
Director
2023
Chekhov in Hell by Dan Rebellato, University of Wollongong
Doris Fitton by Justin Fleming, Storytellers Festival, KXT Broadway
2021
Top Girls by Caryl Churchill, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2020
A Midsummer Night's Dream, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
The Kid by Michael Gow, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2019
As You Like It, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
The Boys by Gordon Graham, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2018
How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found by Fin Kennedy, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
The Taming of the Shrew, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
After Dinner by Andrew Bovell, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2017
Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
Romeo & Juliet, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2016
Anna Karenina by Helen Edmundson , AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
Twelfth Night, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2015
13 by Mike Bartlett , AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2014
Her Naked Skin by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2008
The Tempest, Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga
The Pretty Girl by David Young, Short Sweet & Song, Seymour Centre
2004
Left Behind: A cabaret showcase, Central Queensland University
The Bear and The Proposal by Anton Chekhov, QUT Brisbane
Actors at Work: The Things We Do For Love and The Poisoned Chalice, The Bell Shakespeare Company (National and International Tour)
2003
Stained by Peta Downes after Shakespeare’s Macbeth, In the Raw Festival, Darlinghurst Theatre
Actors at Work: The Power and the Passion, The Bell Shakespeare Company (National and International Tour)
2002
Plenty by David Hare, University of New South Wales
2000
Slip of the Tongue by Peta Downes after Racine’s Phaedra, Incubator Program, Brisbane Powerhouse
Redemption by Joanna Murray-Smith, Experimetro Program, Metro Arts
1999
Antigone by Sophocles (Assistant Director to Jennifer Flowers), Queensland Theatre Company
Leaning Towards Infinity by Sue Woolfe (rehearsed reading), La Boite Theatre Company
1998
The Button Game by Mary Ann Butler, Experimetro Program, Metro Arts
1996
A Midsummer Night's Dream, postModern productions/Queensland University of Technology
1995
Capricornia by Louis Nowra (Associate Director to David Fenton), Queensland University of Technology/Queensland Performing Arts Trust
1994
The Flesh of the Frightened Heart, The Cry of the Fallen Soul (Dark Paths) by Stephen Sewell, World Premiere, Experimetro Program, Metro Arts
The Taming of the Shrew (Assistant Director to Sue Rider), La Boite Theatre Company
Producer
2022
Sydney Fringe Festival 2022, Programs Producer, Multiple Venues, The Sydney Fringe
2021
Farewell to Robert Love, Producer, Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres Parramatta
Emerge Festival of New Short Works 2021, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2019
Playing With Fire: Hamlet and As You Like It, dir. David Fenton and Peta Downes, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
Lost: Picnic at Hanging Rock and The Boys, dir, David Fenton and Peta Downes, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2018
Emerge Festival of New Short Works 2018, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
Something Wicked: Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew, dir. Luke Rogers and Peta Downes, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2017
Emerge Festival of New Short Works 2017, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
In the Stars: A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo & Juliet, dir. Kate Gaul and Peta Downes, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2016
Emerge Festival of New Short Works 2016, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
Storm in a Teacup: The Tempest and Twelfth Night, dir. Jo Turner and Peta Downes, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2015
Emerge Festival of New Short Works 2015, Executive Producer and Co-Artistic Director (with Sally Blackwood), AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
The Engagement, dir. Kate Gaul, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts
A Month in the Country, dir Joseph Uchitel, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2014
Emerge Festival of New Short Works 2014, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
Hell Hath No Fury: Elektra, Medea & Phaedra, dir. Shane Anthony, Kate Gaul, Stefanos Rassios, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
Photograph Marcus Walters
2013
Chekhov in Hell, dir. Jason Langley, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
What Remains: Aftershocks & Embers, dir. Corey McMahon and Luke Rogers, Executive Producer, AIM Dramatic Arts Sydney
2003
Stained by Peta Downes after Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Producer, In the Raw Festival, Storm the Barricade Productions and Darlinghurst Theatre
2000
Slip of the Tongue by Peta Downes after Racine’s Phaedra, Producer, postModern productions and Brisbane Powerhouse
Redemption by Joanna Murray-Smith, Producer, postModern productions and Metro Arts
1998
The Button Game by Mary Ann Butler, Producer, Emergence Collective, Playlab and Metro Arts
1994
The Flesh of the Frightened Heart, The Cry of the Fallen Soul (Dark Paths) by Stephen Sewell, Producer, postModern productions and Metro Arts
Positions Held
2023
Tour and Business Development Coordinator, Critical Stages Touring
2022-2023
Programs Producer, The Sydney Fringe
2013-2021
Head of Program - Dramatic Arts, Australian Institute of Music (AIM) Sydney
2011-2013
Executive Coordinator - Creative Industries, University of Western Sydney College
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2010-2011
Program Manager, National Short Courses - Open Program, National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)
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2010
Producing Associate, New Theatricals Pty Ltd
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2007 - 2010
Business and Product Development Executive (Major Theatre, Arts and Special Projects), Showbiz International Pty Ltd
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2002 - 2005
Associate Director and Arts Educator, Bell Shakespeare Company
Other
2019-2022
Board Director, Theatre Network NSW
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1994
Artist Reference Committee Member, Shock of the New Festival, La Boite Theatre Company
Education and Training
2024
Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, TAFE NSW
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2023
Doctor of Philosophy, Theatre and Performance Studies, University of Sydney. Research output: Independent or Entrepreneur? The impact of economic rationalism on Australian fringe theatre practice.
2011
Producer Development Program Participant, Live Performance Australia
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2007
Graduate Diploma in Arts Management, Graduate School of Business, University of Technology Sydney
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1999
International Participant (Actor, Director), SITI Company Summer Intensive New York (Suzuki,The Viewpoints)
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1996
Master of Fine Arts (Drama) in Directing, Theatre and Performance Studies, Queensland University of Technology. Research output: Reinterpreting Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Director's Case Study From Page to Performance.
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1993
Bachelor of Arts (Drama) Honours 1A in Directing and Educational Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies, Queensland University of Technology. Research output: Empowering youth through theatrical form in Queensland.
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1988
Diploma of Creative Arts in Acting, Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education