Anna Johnstone Creative Learning Producer
Anna Johnstone is a theatre director and performing arts educator working in Ngunnawal Country (Canberra), where she is committed to bridging creativity and education through collaboration with teachers and young artists.
Anna began her career at the egg in Bath, UK — a purpose-built theatre dedicated to young audiences and emerging artists. From 2009 to 2012, she held a range of roles there including director, teaching artist, and education officer. During this time, she collaborated with acclaimed UK theatre-makers such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, Emma Earle (Pins and Needles), and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She directed and co-directed several productions with the Theatre Royal Bath’s Young Company (Beasts and Beauties, Oliver Twist, Graveyard), and supported others as assistant director (Life Savings, The Grapes of Wrath, Treasure Island). As a lead artist in the School Without Walls project (2011–2012), she pioneered the integration of learning and creative practice during a six-week primary school residency. In 2012, Anna was named an Associate Artist of the egg.
Since returning to Canberra, Anna has directed and devised numerous new works, including Imagine, Filtered, Buzz, and Possibility for Canberra Youth Theatre; Boring! and The Best Ever Sleepover for Canberra Grammar School; and the creative development of This Rough Magic for The Street Theatre. In 2020, she was appointed an Associate Artist of The Street Theatre, where she began developing Hatchlings — a new work for young audiences exploring unexpected friendship.
Anna directed The People’s House at MOAD Canberra in 2023, and participated in the 2024 Resident Street program. She currently serves as the Creative Learning Producer at Canberra Youth Theatre, where she continues to champion arts-led education and youth-led creation.
