Jane Harrison

Author

Jane Harrison is descended from the Muruwari people of NSW and is an award-winning playwright and author. Her play The Visitors premiered at Sydney Festival in 2020 in a sold-out season and won the 2022 Sydney Critics Award for Best New Australian Work.  Her first play Stolen played across Australia and internationally for seven years,  Rainbow’s End was on the NSW English curriculum 2016 – 2021 and won the 2012 Drover Award. Jane’s YA novel Becoming Kirrali Lewis won the 2014 Black & Write! Prize and was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and the Victorian Premier’s Awards. Jane writes about belonging and identity.

Where were you born?

I was born in Upper Fern Tree Gully in the Dandenong Ranges.

What other jobs have you had?

I am currently the Artistic Director of Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival. I have worked for Aboriginal peak bodies and Ilbijerri Theatre.

What themes are recurring in your work?

My books and plays deal with Indigenous history, belonging and identity.

What have been the highlights of your career?

Having a play (Stolen) that still resonates nearly 25 years after its premiere.

Being on the curriculum for two of my plays.

Where have your works been published?

As well as in Australia, my work has been performed in Hong Kong, Japan, UK, Canada and US.

Stolen has been published in Japan and in Germany.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about the power of culture in strengthing wellbeing and that we have a shared history.

Haven’t I seen you before?

I was on the ABC show The Mix taking about The Visitors, my most recent play.

Testimonials