Timothy Jones

In my role as Artistic Director of Seymour Centre I programmed 15 seasons of works from the independent theatre sector including Sydney premieres of major international works including The Inheritance, Heroes of the Fourth Turning, The Flick, John and Ulster American, alongside original Australian works, Glass Child (The Farm) and Trophy Boys by Emmanuelle Mattana.

I’ve collaborated with leading playwrights to premiere new work, including Debra Oswald, Suzie Miller, Louis Nowra, Michael Gow, Patrick Marber and Patricia Cornelius.

At ATYP, I led the conception and development of Fresh Ink, a comprehensive program to develop the skills of next generation playwrights. 20 years on, Fresh Ink remains one of ATYP’s core programs.

I’ve programmed multiple seasons of cross-genre performance works, featuring productions by small independent theatre companies, major national and international artists and performance companies, and partnerships with major festivals including:

The Museum of Modern Love  Tom Holloway  SEYMOUR CENTRE/SYDNEY FESTIVAL

Made to Measure Alana Valentine  SEYMOUR CENTRE 

2071  Duncan MacMillan and Chris Rapley  SEYMOUR CENTRE & VIVID

The Hansard Monologues: A Matter of Public Importance Katie Pollock & Paul Daley  SEYMOUR CENTRE/ MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIAN DEMOCRACY

The Hansard Monologues: Age of Enlightenment Katie Pollock & Paul Daley  SEYMOUR CENTRE/ MERRIGONG/GLEN ST THEATRE

Transparency  Suzie Miller  SEYMOUR CENTRE/RIVERSIDE

Anna Robi and the House of Dogs Maxine Mellor  ATYP 

Stories in the Dark  Debra Oswald  ATYP/RIVERSIDE 

Magda’s Fascination with Wax Cats Maxine Mellor  ATYP/OLD FITZ 

Skate  Debra Oswald  ATYP/ BELFAST FESTIVAL 

Boy Overboard Patricia Cornelius  ATYP/ADELAIDE FRINGE 

17  Michael Gow  ATYP / NATIONAL THEATRE OF GREAT BRITAIN

The Musicians  Patrick Marber  ATYP / SYDNEY FESTIVAL / NATIONAL THEATRE OF GREAT BRITAIN

Beatrice   Louis Nowra  ATYP 

Skate (Premiere)  Debra Oswald  ATYP 

Lucky Toby Schmitz ATYP 

Hot Fudge  Caryl Churchill  NIDA 

Acting teaching

My approach to teaching acting is anchored by two intertwined objectives:

Nurturing autonomous actors:
I strive to build actors whose craft is rooted in precision and resilience—performers with the skill and courage to meet any artistic landscape. Whether it’s shaping a character that must live truthfully across countless takes on screen or sustaining emotional and physical vitality through eight live performances a week, I want actors to feel equipped, capable, and self-directed.

Awakening intuitive actors:
At the same time, I guide actors toward a deeper trust in their instincts. I help them cultivate the ability to stay alive to the moment, to listen, to respond, and to bring their full, honest selves into the work—allowing intuition and technique to meet in a grounded partnership.

To achieve this, my teaching is strongly informed by the work of two master teachers: Uta Hagen and Lindy Davies. Hagen’s approach was the foundation of my own acting training at NIDA. In addition I observed Hagen teaching and performing in New York. I follow the skills based training expressed in her two seminal texts Respect for Acting and A Challenge for the Actor, providing rigour around analysis of given circumstances and objectives whilst remaining in service to instinct and inspiration.

The work of Australian director and acting consultant Lindy Davies has likewise been a formative influence on my teaching. I have been taught and directed by her on numerous occasions. Davies’ “impulse work” forms a central element of my own teaching practice, providing a framework for intuition and instinct to lead the process of creating character.

My teaching experience includes:

• National Institute Dramatic Art (NIDA): 1st and 2nd year – Introduction to acting: Stankislavski and impulse
• Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP): Advanced acting skills for 18-26 years (5+ years)
• Political/verbatim theatre: Performance Studies – Sydney University
• Approaches to acting through scene-work: Actors Centre Australia

Mentor & Educator 

• Mentored many emerging theatre co’s and artists to make work & establish their reputations, including: Outhouse Theatre Co, Squabbalogic, Treehouse Theatre & Sport for Jove.
• Guided countless emerging artists as Artistic Director of the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP).

2016 – 2025 Advisory Panel – Judy Harris Writer-in-Residence Fellowship at the Charles Perkins Centre (Sydney University)

2013-2015 Board of Directors – Word Travels 

2003 – 2008 Board of Directors – ATYP