UTS graduate and acclaimed playwright Alana Valentine is elevating marginalised voices and reshaping Australian theatre with powerful, diverse storytelling that captures the complexities of human experience and inspires future generations.
Throughout her career, Alana has collaborated with various Australian communities to ensure a diverse range of voices is heard. Her acclaimed works, such as Parramatta Girls, Run Rabbit Run, Letters to Lindy, Head Full of Love and Shafana and Aunt Sarrinah, have won numerous accolades, including four Australian Writers’ Guild awards, an AWGIE Award and a Churchill Fellowship.
“The exciting thing that has happened in the last few years is that we’re starting to see a reflection of the kinds of diversity, intelligence and variety that we see in our communities, on the stage.”
Alana's dedication to bringing real stories to life has led her to work with women incarcerated in managed care, prison inmates and their families, cyberbullied high school children, flood victims and Pitjantjatjara dialysis patients. Her ability to develop works with sensitivity and care has earned her a place in many hearts.
The power of live storytelling
Alana's work emphasises the importance of live theatre in reflecting real-life diversity and complexity. Her play Barbara and the Camp Dogs, co-written with Ursula Yovich, won Best Musical and Best Original Score at the 2019 Helpmann Awards, highlighting the power of dynamic, relevant storytelling.
Inspiring the next generation
Alana continues to mentor young writers, inspired by those who have been moved by her plays, seminars and her book Bowerbird, which details her writing process. She takes immense pride in knowing that her work has encouraged others to pursue careers in the arts.
“It’s a source of great pride to me that people have come up to me and said, ‘I’ve gone into the industry because of your work.’ You cherish those comments in your heart like precious gemstones.”
In 2022, her play Wayside Bride premiered at Belvoir Street. Since then, she has collaborated with Bangarra Dance Theatre for the Sydney Festival and completed a story about western Sydney teenagers’ use of social media. Her passion for the stage and dedication to her craft continue to inspire and entertain viewers.
“UTS gave me the platform to elevate diverse voices and tell the stories that matter.”
Alana Valentine
Playwright and UTS graduate
Advocacy for the arts
Alana believes that the future of the performing arts in Australia relies on respect and support from the wider community. She urges people to advocate for the arts by speaking to their elected representatives about its importance.
In 2021, Alana was the recipient of the UTS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Award and was the co-recipient of the UTS Chancellor's Award for Excellence.
Her journey from UTS to becoming one of Australia's most respected playwrights is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of giving voice to diverse communities. Her work continues to show the human experience, inspiring audiences and future generations of artists.
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