Helen Strube
Dramaturg, Writer, Director, Actor, Producer
Helen currently works in Magandjin/Brisbane, as an independent theatre maker and arts educator
focusing on dramaturgy, directing, developing and producing new works/adaptations.
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Helen is an independent theatre maker and arts educator. She co-founded KITE Theatre, a pioneering company that during its thirty year lifespan, employed 350 artists, performed for 500,000 young people (statewide and nationally) and received an ASEA Award for Excellence. During her time with KITE she co-devised 14 new works.
Helen currently works as a dramaturge/adaptor, director and producer, most recently Accidental Death Of An Anarchist (dramaturge, co-adaptor Deidre Grace & PIP Theatre), AI May (dramaturge, Embodi Theatre), As Told By The Boys That Fed Me Apples (dramaturge; producer Lachlan Driscoll), Trifles, The Stronger (in Shadows Of Love: A Triptych, director, adaptor, co-producer, TCT) and Children Of The Black Skirt (director, producer Lost Child Ensemble & The Curators’ Theatre).
As an arts educator, Helen worked extensively with Queensland Theatre and Queensland Arts Council, in the areas of dramaturgy, developing new work, writing performance notes and supporting artists. She is the lead author for Dramatexts, a highly praised book on creativity and creative practice in drama and theatre (Jacaranda John Wiley, 2009). Helen’s Master of Arts (Research), entitled The Autonomous Actor, Acting in the Australian Context explores creativity and the work of actor, teacher, director Lindy Davies. Research participants included Cate Blanchett, Angie Milliken and Lucy Bell.
A recipient of the Premier’s Arts Encouragement Award, Helen has studied acting (QUT, Brisbane and New York) and directing (London). She has a deep commitment to Independent Theatre and promoting engagement in the Arts.
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‘This is political theatre with a punk soul and a distinctly ‘Queensland’ flavour…the script is a triumph of reinvention…’
‘a gutsy, gloriously unhinged ride.’
Kitty Goodall - Stage Whispers | Read Full Review Here
‘…an excellent modern adaptation that captures the light and the dark of the original material while applying its ideals and critique to a new context’.
Elise Lawrence - Backstreet Brisbane | Read Full Review
‘brilliant local adaptation’.
David Wilson - Absolute Theatre | Read Full Review
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Priya Shah - Theatre Haus | Read Interview
Upcoming Ad Astra Productions
Past Ad Astra Productions
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THEATRE CREDITS
2025 - Accidental Death of an Anarchist - Dramaturge/co-adaptor Deirdre Grace & PIP Theatre
2024 - AI May - Dramaturge, Creative Producer - Embodi Theatre
As Told by the Boys that Fed Me Apples - Dramaturge - Producer Lachlan Driscoll
2023 - Children of the Black Skirt - Director, Dramaturgy, Producer - Lost Child Ensemble/ The Curators’ Theatre
2022 - Shadows of Love: A Triptych Trifles, The Stronger - Director, Adaptor, Co-producer - The Curators’ Theatre
2021 - The Revolutionist - Dramaturge, Co-producer - The Curators’ Theatre
2020 - Vincent - Co-producer - The Curators’ Theatre
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1993-96 - Master of Arts (Research) The Autonomous Actor, A case study of teacher, actor, director Lindy Davies - Research participants: Cate Blanchett, Angie Milliken and Lucy Bell - Centre for Innovation in the Arts, QUT Academy of the Arts, Brisbane
1992 - The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute (Acting) - Affiliated New York University, Manhattan
1990 - Graduate Diploma in Communication Practice - Film and Video Production - QUT, Brisbane
1988 - Bachelor of Education BCAE, Brisbane
1985 - Directing (Certificate) - British Theatre Association - Fitzroy Square, London
1984 - 81 Associate Diploma in Performing Arts (Theatre) - BCAE, Brisbane
1980 Licentiate in Speech and Drama (L.T.C.L) - Trinity College, London
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2024 - AI May Winner Stage Buzzy Best Original Script, Independent Theatre, Amy Chien-Yu Wang
Nominated Matilda Award Best Independent Theatre Production, Embodi Theatre
[with additional nominations for lighting - Geoff Squires, sound/ multi-media - Freddy Komp and Bille Browne Emerging Artist - Clarice Ooi]
As Told by the Boys that Fed Me Apples
Nominated Best Theatre Production [Anywhere Festival Awards]
2023 - Children of the Black Skirt
Cast member - Malika Savory Nominated for Matilda Award Bille Brown Emerging Artist [Children of the Black Skirt/ Picnic at Hanging Rock]
1992 - Premier’s Arts Encouragement Award
1985 - KITE Theatre ASEA Award for Excellence in Arts Education
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Freelance