Suzie Miller

Having studied law, drama and science, Suzie is deeply interested in exploring the human condition and the issues that challenge contemporary society. She is a committed feminist and rights advocate.

Her work ranges from large scale plays to intimate plays (Griffin Theatre, Sydney Theatre Company, Malthouse Theatre Company), to films of original screenplays (with Participant; Bunya Productions; Hoodlum) to television work (Film Art Media; Matchbox/NBC; Bunya Productions).

Miller has enjoyed many residencies throughout her career, in recent times these have included; University of Queensland (Creative Fellow 2018), Currency Press (2018 and 2019), National Theatre of Scotland (2014), National Theatre in London (2011 and 2009), Griffin Theatre Sydney (2012), Critical Stages NSW (2013), Theatre Gargantua Toronto (2013), and was the Artist in Resident at La Boite Theatre (2016 and 2015). She was attached to Ex Machina in Quebec with Robert Lepage (2012) and has been commissioned by companies in Australia, England, Scotland, Ireland and Canada.

In 2006 and 2009 she was mentored by US playwright Edward Albee (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf).

Miller’s first play Cross Sections was based on contemporary stories from the experience of working as lawyer for homeless youth in Sydney’s red-light district (Kings Cross), was nominated for major awards and transferred to the Sydney Opera House in 2005. A radio version of the play was recorded at ABC Radio and won the Australian Writers’ Guild award for Radio. Both versions were directed by Chris Mead.

“I was humbled to realise I could touch people with stories and start a conversation about changing our society; it was individual audience members sharing the personal impact of my first play that led to my belief that stories can raise awareness, change people and communities. I felt that I had more impact with my plays than my daily court battles”.

Her two follow up plays SOLD (a darkly humorous play about selling our souls for materialism) directed by John Sheedy and All the Blood and All the Water (tackling racism in Australia) directed by John Sheedy both won the Inscription award and a mentorship with Edward Albee. SOLD was later produced at Theatre503 in London (2011) directed by Natalie Ibu.

An early work Reasonable Doubt played at the Edinburgh and New York Fringe Festivals at the Assembly Halls Edinburgh and the Cherry Lane Theatre NY in 2008. Directed by Lee Lewis it won the New York Fringe Overall Excellence Award for Outstanding Playwriting.

In 2020 Miller’s drama Prima Facie (premiered 2019, Griffin Theatre directed by Lee Lewis). The production of Prima Facie returned to Sydney in 2021 toured Australia at the Queensland Theatre with covid cancelled seasons at the Malthouse Theatre Melbourne, and other venues to be rescheduled.

Prima Facie won Suzie the 2020 Australian Writers’ Guild Award for Drama; the 2020 David Williamson Award for Outstanding Theatre Writing; and the 2020 prestigious Major Australian Writers’ Guild Award across all categories of theatre, film and television. It won the Griffin Award in 2018.

Prima Facie will premiere in 2022 at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End produced by James Bierman (ex Donmar, Almeida and Michael Grandage Company) for Empire Street the production stars Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) and is directed by Justin Martin.

Prima Facie is published in Australia by Currency Press.

The Mathematics of Longing premiered in 2018 at the La Boite Theatre, Brisbane, Queensland. It is published in Australia by Currency Press.

Dust premiered with the Black Swan State Theatre in Perth, Western Australia at the Heath Ledger Theatre in 2017. It won the Western Australian biannual Premier’s Award for Literature.

Medea - A Feminist Retelling premiered at the La Boite Theatre in 2017.

Velvet Evening Séance was developed by National Theatre of Scotland, Cove Park Artists Residency and Arts Scotland for a premiere season at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and then Lemon Tree Theatre.

The Sacrifice Zone premiered in Toronto, Canada with Theatre Gargantua in 2016.

Snow White - The Opera had its premiere season at the Brisbane International Arts Festival.

Sunset Strip premiered in 2016 at Griffin Theatre then toured Australia with Critical Stages. It is published in Australia by Currency Press.

Caress/Ache premiered in 2016 at Griffin Theatre, Sydney and had other productions in New Zealand.

Onefivezeroseven premiered at the Perth International Arts Centre at the State Theatre Studio Theatre in 2014.

In the Heart of Derby Park had its premiere season in Glasgow, Scotland with Oran M’or Theatre Company in 2013.

Driving Into Walls premiered at the Perth International Arts Centre at the State Theatre Studio Theatre. It toured Australia, including the Sydney Opera House.

Transparency premiered at The Old Museum Theatre with Ransom Theatre Company in Belfast in 2009 before touring Northern Ireland.

• Births, Deaths & Marriages - Sydney, Australia
• Flight/Fright Mode - Sydney, Australia, London, UK, Edinburgh Festival
• Confused Sea Conditions - Walking Fish Theatre, Philadelphia, United States
• I Wrap My Arms Around You - Sydney, Australia
• Dreaming of a Kiss on a Pier - Sydney, Australia
• Extracurricular - Sydney, Australia
• The Emotional Anatomy of a Relationship Breakdown - Melbourne, Australia
• Eucalyptus Bush Theatre - London, UK