How to Survive a Happy Childhood
World Premiere
By DAVID WILLIAMSON
When it comes to Aussie theatre, David Williamson is the GOAT
Almost 60 years since his first play hit stages, David Williamson continues to sell out seasons all over Australia, confirming the acclaimed playwright is as relevant as he always was.
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Auditions
VENUE: Ad Astra - Galaxy. 210 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane.
DIRECTED BY: Heidi Gledhill
PERFORMANCE SEASON: 4 Feb – 27 Feb, 2027
PERFORMANCE DAYS & TIMES: Thur - Sat evenings and Saturday matinees
REHEARSALS: from November 9, 2026. Part-time at AdAstra
PAYMENT: This is a co-op production, all get a share of ticket sales after expenses.
AUDITIONS DATES AND TIMES : Saturday October 17, 10am – 2pm
CALL BACK DATES AND TIMES : Wednesday 21October, 6pm, if required
To apply:
email creatives@adastracreativity.com with your current CV (in Word or Google Doc only) as well as a RECENT headshot. Please make sure you specify the role you will be auditioning for.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director – Heidi Gledhill
Heidi Gledhill, Queensland based award- winning theatre director. She has worked both nationally and internationally in theatre over the last 25 years. Heidi trained in Italy under Nobel Prize winner, Dario Fo and in London with Frantic Assembly after completing her honours in theatre at Macquarie University in Sydney.
Heidi’s directing credits include Ionesco’s The Bald Prima Donna, Brian Friel’s Afterplay, and Dario Fo’s Mistero Buffo, supported by Queensland Theatre and presented at Billie Brown and The Hangingby Angela Betzien at Playlab Hotlines. She directed Lally Katz’ The Eisteddfod and The Bull the Moon and The Coronet of Stars by Van Badham at Metro Arts. I AM KING I AM QUEEN was devised and directed by Heidi and toured to New Zealand and Sydney. As a lecturer at Australian Performing Arts Conservatory (APAC) she has translated and adapted, The Virtuous Burglar by Dario Fo and directed David Ives, Its all in the Timing at the Brisbane Arts Multicultural Centre. Her most recent works include Banging Denmark by Van Badham at PIP Theatre and Speaking in Tongues by Andrew Bovell at AdAstra and The Children by Lucy Kirkwood. Her most recent work at AdAstra was Six Characters in Search of an Author by Pirandello.
She is founder and Artistic Director of Room to Play, an independent theatre company that explores the boundaries of theatre and play. She has also trained with IDC (USA) as an Intimacy Director, bringing consent-based artistic practices to workspaces and productions
Ad Astra Theatre Company
Ad Astra started in 2018 in a converted 1970s two story brick office block at 57 Misterton Street in Fortitude Valley - called the Satellite Theatre. It had a vibe very similar to the cool small theatres of LA, London and NYC. From humble beginnings, Ad Astra has grown to take its place amongst the best independent theatre companies in Brisbane. It has seen hundreds of emerging and re-emerging creatives showcase their talent on a professional stage. Many have been nominated for Matilda awards over the years. Ad Astra receives regular critical acclaim for its productions from both reviewers and audiences. In 2025, we opened up our new spaces at 210 Petrie Tce: Galaxy is the 150 seat Proscenium arch theatre and Pluto is the 42 seat black box theatre downstairs. We have rehearsal spaces and spaces for hire.
ABOUT THE PLAY
A World Premiere by David Williamson
Family. Fortune. Love. And the price of getting what you want.
Jess has left Brisbane behind to study business in Geelong. But with rent soaring, bills mounting and study slipping, she's barely keeping her head above water.
Enter her wealthy Toorak grandparents. Surely family comes first? Not according to Jack, whose ironclad belief in self-sufficiency is matched only by his contempt for Jess's parents. Meanwhile, Grandmother Catriona's extravagant lifestyle tells a rather different story.
When Jess falls for Carl, an intense romantic with a possessive streak, her troubles take a dangerous turn. As love turns to control and financial pressures mount, Jess finds herself trapped between a boyfriend who wants everything and a grandfather who refuses to give an inch.
But Jack's 70th birthday is approaching, and Jess has a few tricks up her sleeve. Armed with a family secret and a ruthless ultimatum, she's ready to turn the tables.
As three generations collide over money, morality and the meaning of love, David Williamson delivers a sharp, provocative comedy about privilege, hypocrisy and the family values we inherit.
After all, how far does the apple really fall from the tree?
Characters
JESS — Female, 18–25
Bright, warm and initially somewhat sheltered, Jess leaves her loving Brisbane home for university and discovers that adulthood is considerably messier than she expected. The emotional centre and narrator of the play, she journeys from insecurity and romantic idealism towards greater self-awareness and independence.
CARL — Male, 20–25
A charismatic, confident third-year law student who sweeps Jess off her feet with charm, attention and intense romantic certainty. Beneath the charisma lies jealousy, possessiveness and a need for control, requiring an actor capable of making his early appeal believable as the darker aspects of the relationship emerge.
GEMMA — Female, 45–55
Jess’s loving, perceptive and protective mother, a former aspiring lawyer who chose music and love over the secure life her wealthy parents imagined for her. Warm and emotionally intelligent, she quickly senses the danger in Jess’s relationship with Carl and is unafraid to challenge him.
BARRY — Male, 45–55
Jess’s affectionate, optimistic father, a former accountant who abandoned convention to pursue a life in music with Gemma. Gentler and less suspicious than his wife, Barry embodies the warmth and unconditional love of the home Jess has left behind.
JACK — Male, 60–70
Jess’s wealthy, highly successful grandfather is forceful, opinionated and fiercely committed to self-reliance, believing hardship builds character. He can be funny and charismatic as well as infuriatingly certain of his worldview, so the role benefits from an actor who can find the human being underneath the bluster.
CATRIONA — Female, 60–70
Jess’s glamorous, wealthy grandmother is charming, socially confident and unapologetically fond of luxury, status and the life she has created. Warmer than Jack on the surface, she nevertheless shares many of his assumptions about money, success and what constitutes a good life.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Actors who:
● Have strong acting and storytelling skills.
● Can create a distinctive character using voice and physicality.
● Are comfortable with movement and ensemble performance.
● Can portray both comedy and darker dramatic moments.
● Are willing to collaborate and support fellow cast members
.
Actors of all backgrounds, ethnicities and body types are encouraged to apply.
What do we require of you for the audition?
Prepare a monologue of about 2 minutes.
We will then give you some sections of the play to prepare and read with other actors auditioning.
Thank you for your interest and time