NADIA TOWNSEND

“I HAVE WORKED WITH NADIA FOR OVER A DECADE… SHE HAS AN INNATE UNDERSTANDING OF TEXT, CHARACTER, TONE AND AN ABILITY TO TRULY ACCESS THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE ARTIST AND OF THE AUDIENCE. CURIOUS, COMPASSIONATE, RIGOROUS AND DRIVEN IN THE CONSTANT SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH, HUMOUR AND COMPLEXITY IN EACH PROJECT. SHE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN MY PREPARATION FOR A ROLE. I CANNOT SPEAK HIGHLY ENOUGH OF HER WORK.”

ROSE BYRNE

Nadia Townsend is a director, writer and one of Australia's leading dramaturgs. With more than twenty years of experience across major screen productions and independent work, she is known for her work with ensembles of every scale, her actor-led approach to performance, and her dramaturgical thinking across development, rehearsal and set. She brings emotional precision, rigorous storytelling and deep actor intelligence to everything she makes.

Her screen work includes Mad Max: Fury Road and Furiosa, Boy Swallows Universe, Black Snow, Thor: Love and Thunder, Mortal Kombat II, My Brilliant Career and Ghosts (Australia), where she has contributed to shaping ensemble performance and complex character dynamics. She moves between large-scale international productions and intimate character-driven work with ease.

Her latest short The Great Divide won Best Film at the Indie Berlin Film Festival. Her theatre work has been recognised nationally, including a Sydney Fringe nomination for Best Show.

For detailed credits: IMDB

“Nadia is a dream collaborator for any director. She has a profound understanding of story, filmmaking, and creates a safe, creative space for actors of all kinds to excel while working alongside a busy production.”

Sian Davies - Director

2024 Logie Awards - Most Popular New Talent and Best Lead Actor in a Drama for his performance in Boy Swallows Universe

“Nadia’s work on Boy Swallows Universe was nothing short of extraordinary. From script analysis, to actor preparation, it was meticulous. Not only were the actors supported and inspired to be their very best it also made me a better director.”

Bharat Nalouri, Director/Producer

My experiences working with Nadia as a dramaturg have been no less than inspiring. She has the ability to gain the actors trust moments after meeting them. Nadia knows the language of the actor, she is the actor whisperer. She is an absolute gift to any director.

-Geoff Bennett, Director
( Bump, Love Child, Secret Daughter)
Nadia brought so much more than I could have ever imagined to our film. Her work with the actors was rich and expansive. I can’t wait to do it again.

-Dan Askill, Director
(Dan Askill Untitled Project, Chandalier - Sia)
Nadia created a calm, safe space that allowed not only the actors to flourish, but all creatives. Her thoughtful process and respect for everyone’s experiences meant that our director and actors were happy and eager to communicate with her - and she was an integral part of the team that created our narrative. As producers, it was also wonderful to find that Nadia was happy work within the limitations that our budget provided. She was always open to creative solutions and set a high standard for all of those working around her.

Isabel Stanfield, Producer
(See Pictures)
“Her’s is a process of real quality - you can sense the years of passionate research behind it. She quickly gains the trust of actors, and her methods are efficient, effective and highly respectful of the writer, director and the production."

Connor Van Vuuren - Director (Soulmates)

ROSE BYRNE

“Nadia is a dream collaborator for any director. She has a profound understanding of story, filmmaking, and creates a safe, creative space for actors of all kinds to excel while working alongside a busy production.”

Sian Davies - Director

My experiences working with Nadia as a dramaturg have been no less than inspiring. She has the ability to gain the actors trust moments after meeting them. Nadia knows the language of the actor, she is the actor whisperer. She is an absolute gift to any director.

Nadia brought so much more than I could have ever imagined to our film. Her work with the actors was rich and expansive. I can’t wait to do it again.

“Her’s is a process of real quality - you can sense the years of passionate research behind it. She quickly gains the trust of actors, and her methods are efficient, effective and highly respectful of the writer, director and the production."