Sarah is an Australian writer and performer from Melbourne known for her comedic storytelling shows.
She grew up in Toowoomba, Queensland, and moved to Melbourne to attend Monash University's Bachelor of Performing Arts, graduating in 2007 with a focus on storytelling.
In her final year at Monash, Sarah wrote a story about an eleven year old boy who persuades his remedial class to enter the 1991 Jump Rope For Heart competition. The story evolved into her debut solo show, Nothing Extraordinary Ever Happens in Toowoomba. (Ever), which was a breakout hit at the 2008 Melbourne Fringe Festival, garnering a High Commendation for Best Original Writing and putting Sarah's work on the radar of Melbourne's independent theatre scene. NEEHITE had sell out seasons at La Mama, Brisbane Powerhouse and Toowoomba's Empire Theatre in 2011.
In 2009 she teamed up with Justin Kennedy to write and perform Donna and Damo: An Asexual Love Story for the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Damian Scott (BPA), created scene stealing slide-projector animations which helped earn Donna and Damo a sold out season and rave reviews. Donna and Damo's debut season culminated in an invitation from Daniel Kitson to perform at his personally curated Fringe event 'The Last Gasp', and was subsequently picked up by the Arts Centre Melbourne for the 2010 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
In 2012, Sarah wrote and performed the tale of obsessive, pyromaniac alto chorister Susan in CHOIR GIRL. Accompanied by a 14 piece all-girl choir, Sarah's performance ignited widespread interest in her work, with several five star reviews and sold-out seasons at the Melbourne and Adelaide Fringe Festival's and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
CHOIR GIRL secured an invitation from the Darwin Festival to appear in their main stage lineup in August 2013, accompanied by Nora Lewis AM's Darwin Youth Choir.
Sarah's 2014 show Bucket's List premiered at the Melbourne Fringe Festival where it received straight 5 star reviews and won the Tiki Tour Award from the Auckland and New Zealand Fringe Festivals. Bucket's List toured New Zealand in March 2015 before returning home to play a host of venues and festivals in Australia, most recently playing to a sold out audience at Burrinja Cultural Centre in October 2016.
Sarah writes the stories that become her shows in Melbourne's idyllic Dandenong Ranges, where she lives with her husband Justin, two children, cat Penelope and a few chickens.
What people have said about...
Bucket's List
"It is impossible to fault Bucket’s List. *****". Melbourne. Arts. Fashion
"Sarah Collins has written yet another quirky, hilarious and heartwarming show. Bucket’s List should not be missed. *****" Beat Magazine
"What a powerhouse pair; writer Sarah Collins who had packed houses of delighted choristers as writer/performer of last year’s wonderful Choir Girl and her partner gifted comic performer Justin Kennedy who can get a laugh from the smallest hand gesture or lifted brow." Squirrel Comedy
"Collins writing continues to stand out as work that could only be hers. Hers is writing that shows that if you trust your voice and don't try to sound like anyone else, you'll find the people who love your work". Sometimes Melbourne
CHOIR GIRL
“Choir Girl isn’t just right. It’s just perfect…it has all the attributes to make it, potentially, the 'hit' of this year's Fringe. *****" Adelaide Theatre Guide
"I can't wait to see what Collins does next. She's a real talent.*****" Herald Sun
"I saw Choir Girl for the third time on Monday. And I'd consider a fourth visit." Sometimes Melbourne
"Collins as a performer is unquestionably brilliant. A tremendous piece of theatre." A Younger Theatre
“An enthralling, brilliant, hilarious, dark show. Go see it. *****" Creativity Australia
"Collins’ tight script and strong performance ensure her rather unlikeable protagonist remains sympathetic. ****" The Age
"Perhaps the most artistically significant use of Britney Spear’s music ever produced." The Music
Donna and Damo: An Asexual Love Story
"Very cleverly written and staged, with some of the best use of slide-projector live animation I’ve seen.” John Bailey
"Big on imagination, huge of heart. The writing, acting and direction are first rate. ****” Herald Sun
"Entertaining from start to finish." The Age
"This show will cause you to guffaw so horrendously, it becomes impossible to close your lips over your teeth, and you need to use both hands to prevent large amounts of spittle from shooting toward fellow audience members’ hair, or, if you are in the front row as I was, the stars of the show." The Warming Room
Nothing Extraordinary Ever Happens in Toowoomba. (Ever).
"My favourite show of the 2008 Melbourne Fringe Festival." Sometimes Melbourne
"Should put Collins on the radar." John Bailey
"It is fair to say that Collins is a genius." 4ZZZ Brisbane