Joan Whalley
Encyclopedia
Joan Whalley, OAM
, (born 1927) was the artistic director of Twelfth Night Theatre
in Bowen Hills, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
from 1960–1976.
Whalley succeeded Rhoda Felgate, MBE
, in the position. Prior to being appointed to Twelfth Night Theatre, Whalley lectured in acting at NIDA
in Sydney, New South Wales. She taught well-known Australian actors, such as Judith McGrath
and Sigrid Thornton
. Whalley was also an accomplished actor and teacher. She was responsible for the building of Twelfth Night Theatre complex at Bowen Hills. Prior to the opening of the theatre, she directed a successful production of Undermilkwood by Dylan Thomas
in a tent where the theatre now stands. Whalley was also a foundation member of the Queensland Theatre Company's
board and a contributor to the theatrical community in Brisbane. For many years Whalley directed the Lord Mayor of Brisbane's Christmas in Storyland Pantomime at the Brisbane City Hall
. On 10 June 2002, Whalley was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. The citation read: "For service to the performing arts as an actor, teacher, director, artistic director and administrator." Among other current commitments, she is Director of the Eastern Region of the Queensland Arts Council. Joan Whalley was married to the late Peter Benson.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, (born 1927) was the artistic director of Twelfth Night Theatre
Twelfth Night Theatre
thumb|250px|Twelfth Night TheatreThe Twelfth Night Theatre is an established Australian entertainment venue located in Bowen Hills, in Brisbane, Queensland. Australian actors such as Rowena Wallace, Sigrid Thornton, Judith McGrath, Jon English, June Salter, Penny Downie, Carol Burns, Kate Wilson,...
in Bowen Hills, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
from 1960–1976.
Whalley succeeded Rhoda Felgate, MBE
MBE
MBE can stand for:* Mail Boxes Etc.* Management by exception* Master of Bioethics* Master of Bioscience Enterprise* Master of Business Engineering* Master of Business Economics* Mean Biased Error...
, in the position. Prior to being appointed to Twelfth Night Theatre, Whalley lectured in acting at NIDA
National Institute of Dramatic Art
The National Institute of Dramatic Art is an Australian national training institute for students of theatre, film, and television, based in the Sydney suburb of Kensington. It is supported by the federal Office for the Arts, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. NIDA is located adjacent...
in Sydney, New South Wales. She taught well-known Australian actors, such as Judith McGrath
Judith McGrath
Judith McGrath is an Australian actress. She spent many of her formative years training at Brisbane Arts Theatre and was a company member of Twelfth Night Theatre under theatre director, Joan Whalley....
and Sigrid Thornton
Sigrid Thornton
Sigrid Thornton is an Australian multi-award winning actress.-Early years:Thornton was born in Canberra, the daughter of Merle, a teacher of women's studies and writer, and Neil Thornton, an academic. She spent most of her formative years growing up and attending school at St. Peter's Lutheran...
. Whalley was also an accomplished actor and teacher. She was responsible for the building of Twelfth Night Theatre complex at Bowen Hills. Prior to the opening of the theatre, she directed a successful production of Undermilkwood by Dylan Thomas
Dylan Thomas
Dylan Marlais Thomas was a Welsh poet and writer, Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 11 January 2008. who wrote exclusively in English. In addition to poetry, he wrote short stories and scripts for film and radio, which he often performed himself...
in a tent where the theatre now stands. Whalley was also a foundation member of the Queensland Theatre Company's
Queensland Theatre Company
The Queensland Theatre Company was established in 1970 as the Royal Queensland Theatre Company. The Company is the state's flagship professional theatre company, headed up by multi-award winning playwright and director Wesley Enoch...
board and a contributor to the theatrical community in Brisbane. For many years Whalley directed the Lord Mayor of Brisbane's Christmas in Storyland Pantomime at the Brisbane City Hall
Brisbane City Hall
Brisbane City Hall, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, is the seat of the Brisbane City Council. It is located adjacent to King George Square, where the rectangular City Hall has its main entrance. The City Hall also has frontages and entrances in both Ann Street and Adelaide Street...
. On 10 June 2002, Whalley was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. The citation read: "For service to the performing arts as an actor, teacher, director, artistic director and administrator." Among other current commitments, she is Director of the Eastern Region of the Queensland Arts Council. Joan Whalley was married to the late Peter Benson.
External links
- http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1040610&search_type=simple&showInd=true - Order of Australia website
- http://www.qac.org.au/htm/EasternRegion.asp - Queensland Arts Council, Eastern Region - website