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I've written, directed and worked as dramaturg on a range of works across theatre and screen. I aim to find the light in the darkness and create work with a sense of theatricality, charm and hope.
I am passionate about socially conscience work that speaks to a contemporary audience.
I love to collaborate and when leading projects I prioritise building safe, supportive environments where all team members can create their best work.
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I've also enjoyed working as an assistant and associate director, supporting productions throughout Australia and the UK.
creative.
beyond the break
Are you proud to be an Australian?
Shifting between poem and prose, this raw and epic work grapples with how we explore and celebrate diversity. It weaves past and present together in a heart-warming, and painfully funny journey to discover how we belong.
★★★★★ - Suzy Go See
★★★★★ - The Young Syd Review
★★★★★ - AJ Lamarque
Direction & Dramatury by Bobbie-Jean.
Playing at Belvoir’s 25a in October '23.
"Directed by Bobbie-Jean Henning, the one-person show impresses with its richness, not only in cerebral terms, but also with the captivating entertainment that it provides. Henning ensures that we are amused, intrigued and challenged for the 70-minute duration, delivering theatre that keeps open our eyes, ears and hearts, to receive its important message." - Suzy Go See
"This is Australian theatre at its finest " - Theatre Travels
"Henning’s direction truly allowed the show to flourish to its full potential. To engage an audience with a monologue and occupy a small space non stop for over an hour is incredibly difficult, but Henning did it with complete ease." - The Young Syd Review
"Beyond The Break has restored my faith in how beautiful, impactful and considerate this genre of theatre can be" - AJ Lamarque
YOU, ME & HIM
Isolated in the depths of the Australian bush, an ill-equipped drag queen and a young boy with a perpetually dripping ice-cream, are forced to seek shelter amidst a wild thunderstorm. Meanwhile, in a parallel reality and plagued by the same unpredictable natural elements, a man unravels as he struggles to find his way out.
Directed and co-script edited by Bobbie-Jean Henning
Written by Andy Johnston
The film has begun its film festival journey, debuting at the Poland LGBTQIA+ Film Festival and winning Best Short Film at the Fishnets and Film Festival in San Jose.
@youmeandhimfilm
UNBELIEVABLE
A gig theatre piece featuring original music and video art.
We follow Cassandra as she tackles misogynistic structures as well as her inner demons and breaks the generational chains holding her back.
Debuting at Edinburgh Fringe 2024
Direction and dramaturgy by Bobbie-Jean Henning
Written by Samantha Graham
Global voices
In conjunction with human rights organisation ReportOUT and Wanstead Fringe, Global Voices is a theatrical experience comprising of poems and stories by queer people from around the world. The work brought these texts to life through devised movement and sound.
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Direction and dramaturgy by Bobbie-Jean Henning.
The Power of the Dream
Released on Instagram and Facebook July 2021 with development and production funding from Screen Australia, The Power of the Dream is a six-part mockumentary online series that follows two cousin-best friends, Amy and Brooke, who have always wanted to go to the Olympics despite their complete lack of sporting prowess. With the next games approaching, they are determined to achieve Olympic glory no matter how uncoordinated they might be.
Created & written by Bobbie-Jean Henning &Alex Keddie.
Nominated for Australian Writers Guild AWGIE Award 2022.
@thepowerofthedreamseries
carmen, reimagined
A simple and powerful chamber production
of Bizet's much loved masterpiece.
Looking at Carmen's journey from a feminist perspective this production paints nuanced portrayals of the famous characters.
Touring the UK with Rogue Opera through 2024 ​
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Associate Direction by Bobbie-Jean Henning
Directed by Bronwen Stephens-Harding
Music Direction by Guy Murgatroyd
and then the skies opened
A queer Australian gothic play by Bobbie-Jean Henning.
Jamilla and Anna live alone in the woods but Jamilla's difficult pregnancy means they require help to keep their property running and to deliver the baby. They call on Sally.
But will the woman they welcomed into their home be just what they need or destroy everything they've built.
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Developed through City Of Melbourne Residency
Shortlisted for Red Stitch's Fresh Ink Program
All Hail Me : King Henry VIII
A wild, feminist retelling of the life of King Henry VIII. This one woman show features jousting, pop rock hits and a bottle of Passion Pop.
Created by Bobbie-Jean Henning.
Performed nationally.
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'An hilarious hour of bawdy regal humour' – Weekend Notes
'Demands your attention and does not give it back' – LipMag
'It’s simply brilliant, intelligent and commanding' – TAGG
Spread Your Wings
Receiving development from ABC’s Fresh Start Fund, Spread Your Wings is an 8 part, half hour comedy tv series about the wild world of community musical theatre. The series sees a group of oddballs, known as Wings Theatre Company, as they attempt to put on their 50th Anniversary production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Spread Your Wings explores of chosen family, 6 part harmonies and what it means to belong.
Created & co-written by Bobbie-Jean Henning & Alex Keddie - the series is in development.
UDDERLY FABULOUS
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Nyssa Milligan's hilarious and heartwarming show about what happens when you don't achieve your dreams.
Dramaturgy and direction by Bobbie-Jean Henning.​
Adelaide Fringe 2021 - Weekly Award Winner
Everything you could ever want in a cabaret -
★★★★★ - Glam Adelaide
Tales of a Time Travelling Songstress
Performed in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, Tales of a Time Travelling Songstress is a cabaret about love, loss and hope. Music ranging from quirky folk songs to jazz ballads, with hand drawn artwork acting as backdrops
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Written and produced by Bobbie-Jean Henning.
A treasure of a show - Blue Curtains
Highly original...utterly charming...bold and exciting -
★★★★★ - Theatre People
Very Average Girl
A vibrant, campy 8 x 30 minute musical comedy series following a woman from birth to young adulthood, highlighting the gendered moments that have shaped her life.
Original development funded by Screen Australia.
Created by Alexandra Keddie, Bobbie-Jean Henning & Elise McCann.
Currently in development.
midlife
Jodie Stubb’s midlife crisis is brought to you in this 60 minute cabaret! What is it like to be starring down the barrel of 50 trying to make sense of it all? Ageing, social media, body image, love, motherhood and life lessons - its a heartwarming and humorous evening tinged with the dulcet tones of regret.
Dramaturgy and direction by Bobbie-Jean Henning.
Sydney Fringe Best In Cabaret Nominee 2022
PLUCKED
Clare O'Connor's one woman show about shaving her head for charity and discovering being bald not only clips your curls, it also cutthroats your dignity. The show sets out to discover what it takes to f*ck the patriarchy and embrace the bald (and the bush).
Bobbie-Jean directed the most recent development of Plucked and will be directing the upcoming performances.
"O'Connor will have you laughing one moment, wiping a little tear the next" — Weekend Notes
Emerging Artist Weekly Award — Adelaide Fringe
Other Projects and awards
WAAPA's Professional Mentorship Program
Bobbie-Jean is the 2022 recipient of the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts' Professional Mentorship Program, spending time in Perth to assistant direct on two productions at the university.
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City of Melbourne Residency 2022
Bobbie-Jean is a recipient of the City of Melbourne Pop Up Library Residency. She received in kind work space and stipend to work on her first full length play.
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Australian Writers Guild Awards - AWGIE 2022
Bobbie-Jean was nominated for the Best Web Series and Short Works for "The Power of The Dream".
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Martin Lysicrates Prize Finalist 2023
Bobbie-Jean's play for young people, 'Cake Spies' was a finalist for the Martin Lysicrates Prize. It follows three unlikely friends in their pursuit for justice while also trying to win a televised kids baking competition.
And..
Bobbie-Jean has been involved in a variety of developments for new works including working on Bondi Feast's 24 Hour Play Party, several developments at Melbourne Theatre Company, Australian Plays Transform, Kings Cross Theatre (KXT), Griffin Theatre's Scratch Night and The Lysicrates Prize.