Nadia Tass

Nadia Tass is an Australian film director and producer. The recipient of the 2014 Screen Leader Award for Outstanding Leadership, Achievement and Service to the Screen Industry, Tass is a respected Australian filmmaker. Since 1986 she has directed 13 feature films; her films being responsible for over 70 international awards and twenty-three Australian Film Institute (AFI) nominations, while garnering nine wins including Best Film and Best Director. Known for directing Australian classic films Malcolm and The Big Steal, some of Tass's other feature works include Rikky and Pete, Mr Reliable, Amy, Matching Jack, Fatal Honeymoon, and Oleg. She also directs films and high-end television movies in America. Her first feature in the US was Pure Luck starring Danny Glover and Martin Short.

Nadia Tass
Born
Florina, Macedonia, Greece
OccupationDirector, producer
Years active1986–present
Spouse(s)David Parker

Nadia Tass is married to Australian writer, producer, cinematographer David Parker.

Early life and education

Tass was born in Florina, Macedonia, northern Greece before moving to live permananetly in Australia.

Career

Tass has worked with many well-known and respected actors while directing and producing. These include:

Theatrical directing

Tass has an extensive history of theatre direction with a diverse range of works. She has directed improvised theatre, classic plays, contemporary pieces and musical theatre. Early works include productions of The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth, numerous plays by Euripides including Medea, and by Aristophanes including Lysistrata, Chekhov's The Birds, Three Sisters, and Blood Wedding by Federico Garcia Lorca.

In later work, Tass directed This Effing Lady by Maureen Sherlock at the Brunswick Ballroom (2021) and Wicked Sisters by Alma De Groen for Griffin Theatre in Sydney (2020). In 2019, she directed Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by Heather McDonald, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, for Signature Theatre in the Washington DC area, and Fern Hill by Michael Tucker at 59E59 Theaters in New York City. Both productions were well received and their seasons booked out and extended.

In 2018 Tass directed David Williamson's Sorting Out Rachel for Sydney's Ensemble Theatre, followed by Marisa Smith's Sex and Other Disturbances for Portland Stage in Maine, USA; Fern Hill by Michael Tucker for New Jersey Rep; Ear to the Edge of Time by Alana Valentine for Sport for Jove at The Seymour Centre in Sydney.

In 2016, Tass directed the Ensemble Theatre production of Jane Cafarella's e-baby.[1] It was the Sydney premiere of the play.[2] Tass described the work as "a play for today – the advances in medicine create a new world that allows new possibilities – in e-baby we enter that world and explore the raw truth, the unbridled joy and the paradox of surrogacy through a carefully woven story of love, generosity and a newborn child."[3]

In 2016 Tass directed Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar for the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC), Extinction by Hannie Rayson for Red Stitch/GPAC, The Book Club for AKA in London and Melbourne, and Uncle Vanya by Chekhov (adapted by Annie Baker) for Red Stitch.

Tass' 2002 production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe toured Australia and garnered her a Helpmann Award nomination for Best Director of a Musical.

Tass directs theatre for major theatre companies in Australia, London and various places in the US, including New York and Washington DC.

  • This Effing Lady by Maureen Sherlock (2021) AKA, Brunswick Ballroom[4]
  • Wicked Sisters by Alma De Groen (2020) Griffin Theatre Company[5]
  • Fern Hill by Michael Tucker (2019) 59E59 Theaters[6]
  • Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by Heather McDonald (2019) Signature Theatre[7]
  • Ear To The Edge Of Time by Alana Valentine (2018)[8]
  • Fern Hill by Michael Tucker (2018) NJ Rep Company[9]
  • Sex and Other Disturbances by Marisa Smith (2018) Portland Stage[10]
  • Sorting Out Rachel by David Williamson (2018) Ensemble Theatre[11]
  • Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov, adapted by Annie Baker (2016) Red Stitch Actors Theatre [12]
  • e-Baby by Jane Cafarella (2016) Ensemble Theatre[13]
  • Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar (2016) Melbourne Theatre Company[14]
  • Extinction by Hannie Rayson (2016) GPAC, Red Stitch Actors Theatre[15]
  • The Book Club by Roger Hall (2016) AKA, Melbourne & London productions[16]
  • The Flick by Annie Baker (2014) Red Stitch Actors Theatre[17]
  • Out Of The Water by Brooke Berman (2014) Red Stitch Actors Theatre
  • The Other Place by Sharr White (2013) Melbourne Theatre Company[18]
  • Promises, Promises by Neil Simon (2012) The Production Company[19]
  • The Aliens by Annie Baker (2011) Red Stitch Actors Theatre
  • The Gronholm Method by Jordi Galceran (2010) Red Stitch Actors Theatre
  • Three Women In An Ice Cream Cone by Elizabeth Fotheringham (2010) Philip Emanuel Productions London
  • The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, adapted by David Parker (2002-2003) Malcolm Cooke & Associates and Billy May
  • Miss Bosnia by Louis Nowra (1996) Melbourne Theatre Company
  • Così by Louis Nowra (1994) Melbourne Theatre Company
  • Summer of the Aliens by Louis Nowra (1992) Melbourne Theatre Company

Theatre reviews
  • Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
    • DC Metro review[20]
    • Broadwayworld.com review[21]
    • MD Theatre Guide review[22]
    • Talkin' Broadway review[23]
  • Ear to the Edge of Time

Filmography (direction)

Feature films

Films for television

Television miniseries
  • Stark, three 1-hour installments (1993)

Short films
  • Isolation Restaurant (2020)

Honours and recognition

Awards
  • Film Victoria Screen Leader Award for Outstanding Leadership, Achievement and Service to the Screen Industry (2014)
  • Nomination for Best Direction of a Musical, Sir Robert Helpmann Awards for "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" (2003)
  • Byron Kennedy Award for pursuit of excellence (1986)
  • Australian Hellenic Award for Excellence (1987)
  • Hellenic Award for the Arts (1999)
Matching Jack
  • Best Film, Milan International Film Festival (2011)
  • Best Director, Milan International Film Festival (2011)
  • Best Screenplay, Milan International Film Festival (2011)
  • Best Film, Cannes Cinephile Prix du Jury (2011)
  • Best Independent Feature, Edmonton International Film Festival (2011)
  • Best Actress (Jacinda Barrett), Cinema des Antipodes Saint-Tropez Film Festival (2011)
Felicity: An American Girl Adventure
  • The Humanities Certificate for humanising achievement in television and feature films, Human Family Educational and Cultural Institute (2006)
The Miracle Worker
  • Best Movie, Family Television Award (2001)
Amy
  • Best Film Le Prix du Public, Paris Film Festival Festival du Film de Paris (2000)
  • Le Grande Prix du Cinecole, Cannes Film Festival (1999)
  • Grand Prix Cannes Junior, Cannes Film Festival (1999)
  • Les Mureaux Grand Prix Cannes Junior, Cannes Film Festival (2002)
  • Prix du Jeunesse Jury Graine de Cinephage, Film de Femmes Festival Paris (1999)
  • Golden Gryphon Award for Best Film, Giffoni Film Festival Italy (1999)
  • Bronze Gryphon Award for Best Actress, Alana de Roma, Giffoni Film Festival Italy (1999)
  • The Crystal Heart Award, The Heartlands Film Festival, Indianapolis USA (1998)
  • Grand Jury Award for Best Film for outstanding contribution to humanity, Asia Pacific Film Festival, Hong Kong (1999)
  • Camerio Best Feature Film, Carrousel International du Film de Rimouski, Quebec Canada (2000)
  • Camerio Grand Public, Carrousel International du Film de Rimouski, Quebec Canada (2000)
  • Camerio Best Actress for Alana de Roma, Carrousel International du Film de Rimouski, Quebec Canada (2000)
  • Camerio Best Actor for Ben Mendelsohn, Carrousel International du Film de Rimouski, Quebec Canada (2000)
  • Golden Reel Award, The Tiburon International Film Festival, USA (2002)
  • Best Film Jeune Jury International, Charleroi Festival du Film, Belgium (2000)
  • Young People's Jury Award, Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival (2000)
  • Best Film, Buff International Film Festival, Norway (1999)
  • Best Film, Australian People's Choice Awards (1998)
  • Best Film, Brisbane International Film Festival (1997)
  • Award of Distinction for Cinematography, Australian Cinematographers Society (1999)
Mr Reliable
  • Best Film nomination, Australian Film Institute (1996)
The Big Steal
  • Best Film nomination, Australian Film Institute (1990)
  • Best Sound win, Australian Film Institute (1990)
Malcolm
  • Best Director, Australian Film Institute (1986)
  • Best Film, Australian Film Institute (1986)
  • Best Actor, Australian Film Institute (1986)
  • Best Actress, Australian Film Institute (1986)
  • Best Supporting Actor, Australian Film Institute (1986)
  • Best Supporting Actress, Australian Film Institute (1986)
  • Best Sound, Australian Film Institute (1986)
  • Best Editing, Australian Film Institute (1986)
  • Best Director, Sydney Critics Award (1987)

Retrospectives

Tass has had the breadth of her film work presented internationally as retrospective events, including:

  • American Cinematheque, Los Angeles USA (2012)
  • New Delhi, India (1997)
  • Cape Town & Johannesburg, South Africa (1994)
  • Moscow Film Festival, Russia (1990)

Masterclasses

Tass has presented masterclasses around the world. She regularly lectures at the Victorian College of the Arts (Melbourne), and at Deakin University, where she is an Adjunct Professor.

  • New York University - Film directing, specifically, Malcolm) 1987
  • Melbourne University, Australia
  • Victorian College of the Arts 2015-2021
  • Filmmaking Summer School 2002-2020
  • 16th Street Actors Studio 2014, 2020, 2021
  • Wuhan University 2017
  • Yunnan University 2017
  • Beijing Normal University 2016
  • Beijing Film Academy 2016, 2017
  • Chongqing University 2014
  • Advanced Performers Studio, London 2009
  • Deakin University, Australia 2006 – 2021 (where she is Adjunct Professor)
  • Monash University, Australia 2013
  • Australian Film, Television & Radio School 1995
  • National Institute of Dramatic Art, Australia 2006
  • Singapore Film Festival 1999
  • Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand 2010

Tass continues to mentor young directors and actors from various educational institutions.

Film festival juries

Tass has been appointed to many festival juries, such as:

  • Hawaii Film Festival – for judging of main awards 1988
  • St Tropez – Head of Jury 2008
  • Asian Festival of First Films 2008
  • Pune International Film Festival – Head of Hury 2012
  • Directors' Guild of American (DGA) – Documentary jury 2021
  • Cinefest Oz - Head of Jury 2021
  • Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) – International Chapter juror annually

Professional associations

References
  1. Blake, Jason (20 October 2016). "E-Baby review: Gestational clock ticks on tale of ethical complexity". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  2. Sebag-Montefiore, Clarissa (27 October 2016). "E-baby review – an endearing but haphazard romp into the complex world of surrogacy". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  3. Tass, Nadia (2016). "Director's Note". In Ensemble Theatre (ed.). Ensemble Theatre Program (13 October 2016 – 13 November 2016): e-baby by Jane Cafarella (PDF). Ensemble Theatre. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 October 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  4. "This Effing Lady, Starring Amanda Muggleton". www.akaaustralia.com.au. Andrew Kay and Associates.
  5. "Wicked Sisters". Griffin Theatre Company.
  6. "Fern Hill". 59e59.org.
  7. "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity". Signature Theatre.
  8. "Ear to the Edge of Time". Sport for Jove Theatre Co. 2018.
  9. "Fern Hill - August 9 - September 9, 2018". www.njrep.org. New Jersey Repertory Company: Year-Round Professional Theater on the Jersey Shore. 2018.
  10. "Sex and Other Disturbances by Marisa Smith". Portland Stage. 2018.
  11. "David Williamson's "Sorting Out Rachel"". Ensemble Theatre. 2018.
  12. ""Uncle Vanya" by Anton Checkov". Red Stitch Actors' Theatre. 2016. Directed by Nadia Tass; a new translation by Annie Baker
  13. "e-baby". Ensemble Theatre. 2016.
  14. Melbourne Theatre Company (28 July 2016). ""Disgraced" by Ayad Akhtar at MTC". www.mtc.com.au (Press release).
  15. Link to Extinction
  16. Link to The Book Club
  17. Link to The Flick
  18. Link to The Other Place
  19. Link to Promises, Promises
  20. DC Metro review
  21. Broadwayworld.com review
  22. MD Theatre Guide review
  23. Talkin' Broadway review
  24. Arts Hub review

Further reading
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