Actor, director, dramaturg and activist.
Thanks for visiting and for your interest in my practice.
I’m a performer, dramaturg, director, producer and arts activist who made my professional debut in the 90s. An alumni of both the University of Melbourne (BA Hons, English & Cultural Studies) and the WA Academy of Performing Arts (BA – Music Theatre), my work encompasses a wide range of projects and disciplines, from screen to stage, radical new plays to reimagining ‘classics’ and creating immersive experiences for children and their adults. My special skills include rigour and values-driven leadership, as well as a sustained focus on decolonising Australian stories.
For more detail on specific areas of interest, dip into the relevant pages.
Image © Josie Hayden
"Sonya is a fierce advocate and role model. I cannot overstate the impact she has had on my career. She is someone who constantly gives her time to other artists and she has championed my work. She has written letters of support and letters of introduction. Working with her on The Lucky Country has exponentially expanded its creative horizons."
Vidya Makan | Composer/Lyricist
"Sonya is a gifted collaborator and critical thinker and is possessed of a highly specialised skill-set. Hers is a unique voice and vision: one that challenges audiences, promotes risk-taking, nurtures artists and strives always to foster excellence, diversity and inclusivity in her chosen field."
Margaret Bourke, Creative Producer | Arts Centre Melbourne
"Sonya is a polymath; she is an accomplished actor, director and creator of new work with a strong political vision and the craft and talent to realise that vision at the highest level artistically."
Anne-Louise Sarks, Artistic Director | Melbourne Theatre Company