George Ogilvie - Actors Centre Australia (original) (raw)

George Ogilvie's distinguished career began almost five decades ago with the Canberra Rep Theatre as an actor. Since then he has established a prestigious list of credits as one of Australia's most talented and diverse directors, working in all mediums; ballet, opera, theatre, television and film.

In 1965, George returned from training, teaching and acting in England and Europe to take up the position of Associate Director with the Melbourne Theatre Company. He was with the MTC for 6 years where he directed some 23 plays whilst continuing his workshop training for actors. During this time he won the Melbourne Theatre Critics' Award three times for Best Director. Following 4 years (1972-1975) as Artistic Director of the South Australian Theatre Company and 12 years as part of the subsidised theatre network, George became a freelance director working with the Australian Opera, the Australian Ballet Company and various Australian theatre companies. His teaching continued during this period with NIDA, the Eora Centre and other drama schools.

His television credits include The Dismissal, Bodyline, The Shiralee, Princess Kate, The Battlers, The Feds and Blue Heelers.

Film credits include, Mad Max III with George Miller, Short Changed, A Place at the Coast and The Crossing, Russell Crowe's first feature film.

Most recently, George has worked with the graduating students from VCA and with the Australian Ballet on the Sydney revival of his acclaimed production of Coppelia. George worked with the Sydney Theatre Company directing Nick Enright's play The Man With Five Children, starring Steve Bisley and Proof, starring Jacqueline McKenzie and Barry Otto. George directed a stunning version of Norma for Opera Australia in 2005 and was a regular director of the hit television show Blue Heelers for Network Seven.

George has been awarded, among others, the following prizes over his career: a three year Australian Creative Artists Fellowship; the Byron Kennedy Memorial Award from the AFI and three Best Director Awards from the Melbourne Theatre Critics Awards. George regularly teaches and directs at NIDA and the Actors Centre in Sydney where the development of the next generation of theatre performers is a particular passion. Additionally, Currency Press are set to publish George's autobiography in August 2006.