Petra is driven to tell stories because they define us, connect us and the right story told at the right time has the power to transform us.
Petra's expertise as a director spans various sectors, including independent, community, education, and main stage productions. Her fluidity in navigating these sectors has enabled her to bring fresh insights and innovative approaches to each project she undertakes.
Petra has an unwavering commitment to fostering a diverse range of voices. She has dedicated herself to creating space for theatre that is inclusive and representative of different perspectives.
Petra served as the Associate Director of Melbourne Theatre Company, where she directed a number of works that specifically emphasized minority perspectives, successfully attracting new audiences. Prior to MTC, Petra was the Artistic Director of Union House Theatre. There she played a pivotal role in mentoring, nurturing and showcasing works crafted by talented students, many of whom have since flourished in their careers within the theatre industry.
As co-Artistic Director of Melbourne Playback Theatre Company, Petra demonstrated commitment to community engagement. She worked with ensemble to create performances from real-life stories and experiences shared by a diverse range of audiences in a variety of community settings.
In addition to her contributions within established companies, Petra has continued her own creative endeavours as a writer and director. In this work too, she has consistently seeks to empower and advocate for marginalized perspectives, striving to dismantle barriers to inclusion and accessibility.
Petra also has a long history of running workshops both in education and corporate contexts in presentation, improvisation, Shakespeare, acting, movement, voice, and character. She has worked as a facilitator for public, community and corporate audiences and has designed and implemented various training programs. In 2014 she undertook the design and execution of the Leadership Experience for Qantas Service Culture Program.
Petra is a graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts (MA research Directorial Practice), Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (Acting), Victoria University (Solo Performance).
At Melbourne Theatre Company Petra directed Happy Days (Saumuel Beckett) , Laurinda (Diana Nguyen), Touching the Void (David Greig), The Lifespan of a Fact (Kareken, Murrell & Farrell), Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes (Hannah Moscovitch, nominated for multiple Green Room Awards including Best Direction), Hungry Ghosts (Jean Tong), Melbourne Talam (Rashma Kalsie, Green Room Nominated for Best Director), Beached (Melissa Bubnic, winner of the 2010 Patrick White Award),
Petra has also directed and supported the development of work for Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir St Theatre, Canberra Theatre Centre, Arts Centre Melbourne, Essential Theatre, Arena Theatre Company, Complete Works Theatre Company, Union House Theatre, St Martins Youth Arts Centre, La Trobe, Monash University & Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) performing arts programs.
Her notable independent directing credits include the much-acclaimed Taxithi, which had two sell-out seasons at fortyfivedownstairs (Green Room Nominated Best Director) , her own work Oil Babies at Northcote Town Hall (shortlisted for the NSW Premier Literary Awards 2019), Emilia performed at the Victorian Arts Centre and Canberra Theatre Centre and the first presentation of Australian musical My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin adapted by Dean Bryant and Matthew Frank.
Petra is a Churchill Fellow (2023) where she travelled to the the United States, United Kingdom and Chile to reasearch community engaged/led theatre presented in professional theatre company settings. Her Churchill Report can be found here.