CV & Career History

 

CURRENT STUDIES INCLUDE:

Qualifications:

PhD

Griffith University. Awarded 2017.

Thesis: House of Homes: Theatrical Explorations of Home and Belonging.

Winner of the Philip Parsons Award for Excellence in Performative Research.

Master of Arts (Research)

Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Awarded 2009.

Thesis: A Mouthful of Pins: Questioning Constructionist Therapy Frameworks in Theatre-Making

Master of Counselling

QUT. Awarded 2005.

Narrative, Collaborative, Solution Focused.

Graduate Diploma in Adolescent Health & Welfare

Melbourne University. Awarded 2003.

Graduate Diploma Experiential and Creative Arts Therapy

Melbourne Institute of Experiential and Creative Arts Therapy (MIECAT). Awarded 2003.

Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education

Macquarie University. Awarded 1976, 1982.

Additional Training

Stella Adler, Acting Training, Stella Adler Conservatory, NYC 1979-81

Stefan Niedzowkowski, American School of Polish Mime. NYC 1978-81

Hayes Gordon, Acting Training, Sydney 1972-76

Margi’s creative pursuits include continual training with a wide variety of practitioners, locally, nationally and internationally, including;

  1. Prof. Richard Schechner (New York University)

  2. Barney O’Hanlon (New York University)

  3. Tess de Quincey Body Weather (Sydney)

  4. Jacqui Carroll and John Nobbs Frank Theatre (Brisbane)

  5. Dr Ken Gergen, Dr Mary Gergen (Taos Institute, USA)

  6. Dr Harlene Anderson (Houston Galveston Institute, Texas)

  7. Leisa Shelton (Melbourne)

  8. The late Margaret Cameron (Melbourne)

  9. John Howard and the late Helen Sharp (Melbourne)

  10. John Bolton (Melbourne)

  11. Dr Jean Houston (USA)

  12. Dr Joe Loizzo (NYC)

  13. Sharon Salzberg (USA)

      

Memberships and Organisational Roles

Associate: Taos Institute, USA (ongoing)

Guest Lecturer: Queensland University of Technology, Creative Industries (ongoing)

Guest Artist-in-Residence: Queensland Academy of Creative Industries (QACI); Curtin University; All Hallows

Member/Delegate: MEAA Actors Equity (ongoing)

Ambassador: State Library Queensland (2018)

Member: Queensland Theatre National Artistic Team (2016, 2017)

Queensland Cultural Champion (2014)

 

Educational Roles

Guest Lecturer & Workshop Facilitator: Universities and Higher Education

  • QUT (2003–Ongoing)

  • Griffith University (2012–2015)

  • Curtin University of Technology (2010–2018)

  • Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) (2012)

  • University of Melbourne (2002)

  • MIECAT (2003-2005)

Artist and Facilitator in Residence

  • Sostrup Castle, Denmark (March 2016)

  • Arteles, Finland (April 2017)

  • Curtin University Perth, Western Australia (June–July 2018)

  • Arteles Creative Center, Finland (2019–22)

    • Created and facilitated the New Course, working with 26 international artists, focusing on MBA’s Rituals of Practice

 

Professional Academic Workshop Facilitation (Highlights)

  • Taos Institute (USA, Mexico)

  • Theatre of the Oppressed Conference (USA)

  • Houston Galveston Institute (Houston)

  • Various workshops focusing on practitioner wellness (Indonesia, Greece, USA, Mexico)

  • Arteles Creative Center, (Finland)

Masterclasses

  • Numerous masterclasses delivered at institutions including Queensland Theatre, Drama Queensland, State Library Queensland, Playlab, La Boite, Imaginary Theatre, QACI, Zen Zen Zo Theatre Company, Metro Arts, Centacare, 4change coaching, QUT, Griffith University, Melbourne Institute of Experiential and Creative Arts Therapy, Melbourne University, Theatre Works, and the Australian Psychological Society.

 

Presenter (Highlights)

  • MC, National WorkSmart Conference, QUT (2014–15, 2017)

  • MC, Office Professionals and the 21st Australian Dance Awards, Brisbane Powerhouse (2018)

  • Guest Presenter, Arts and Communication Conference, Montreal (2019)

  • Guest Presenter, Arts and Communication Conference, Sydney (2019)

  • Opening Keynote Address, Drama Queensland Conference, Brisbane (2022)

 

With The Nest Ensemble

He Dreamed A Train (2014, 2017)

Nominated Matilda Awards: Best Female Actor, Best Male Supporting Actor, Best Lighting Design; Best Sound Design; Best Audio Visual Design;

Winner: Best Lighting Design

Joey the Mechanical Boy (2014)

Blue Room Awards: nominated Best Production; Best Design Award

PAWA Awards: Nominate Best Design; Best Actor; Best Play; Best Director, Best Production

Winner: Best Director

Eve (2012, 2017)

Blue Room Nominations: Nominated Best Production 2012; Best Performance; Best Production Team

Winner Best Performance

Matilda Award: Winner Gold Matilda 2012

Home (2011, 2012, 2015)

Matilda Award Nominated Best New Australian Work; Best Female Actor in Leading Role; Best Design;

Winner Gold Matilda 2012;

The Knowing of Mary Poppins (2006, 2008, 2009)

Nominated Best New Australian Work; Best Actor in Leading Role; Best Director

Winner: Gold Matilda Award Best Actor, Best Director

With Other Theatre Companies (Highlights)

As Performer

The Wider Earth  
Queensland Theatre & The Dead Puppet Society
Brisbane Season, July 2016
Sydney Festival & Sydney Opera House, January 2018
Winner (Production): Gold Matilda Award, 2017

I Want to Know What Love Is
The Good Room & Brisbane Powerhouse
Brisbane Powerhouse, 2016
Chapel Off Chapel, Melbourne, 2018
Nominated (Production): Best Production, 2019 Green Room Awards

You and Me and The Space Between
Terrapin Puppet Theatre & Brisbane Festival
Cremorne Theatre QPAC, 2016
 

Prize Fighter
La Boite & Brisbane Festival, 2015
Belvoir Street, La Boite and Sydney Festival, 2017–18 
Nominated (Production): Best Ensemble, Best Production, Green Room Awards

As Performer/Co-Devisor

Wizard of Oz
La Boite, Brisbane Festival and The Danger Ensemble
La Boite, 2013
Nominated: Matilda Award for Best Female Actor, 2013

As Director/Devisor

Australia Day
Queensland Theatre Company
Playhouse, QPAC, 2015
Assistant Director

  • Margi was awarded an Arts Queensland Individual Fund grant to undertake this role, beginning her more sustainable directorial journey of working in larger theatre spaces, having always favoured small, intimate venues. 

Access Arts Theatre Ensemble
Metro Arts, 2015
Director/facilitator (whole year)

The Paratrooper Project
Phluxus2 Dance Company and Judith Wright Centre, 2015
Devised, cowrote, and performed with company

HOLON The Aeschlepian Journey
Greece, 2015
Co-facilitator with Dr Jean Houston

Lotus Project
La Boite and Playwriting Australia, 2015
Director

Hedonism’s Second Album 
La Boite Indie, 2014
New work by Dave Burton and Claire Christian
Director

Other Work

Rachael Corrie
All Hallows School 2016
Artist in Residence 

WorkSmart Conference
Gold Coast 2014, 2015, 2017
MC

Tasmania Performs
Tasmania, 2017
Residential Guest Mentor