tim o'connor harvest rain theatre director producer
Tim grew up dreaming of a life in the theatre, and over the last twenty years has built an impressive career not only as a theatre director and producer, but also as a mentor, a teacher and an inspirational speaker. Through his work in the world of musical theatre, he has built a platform from which he encourages people from all walks of life to think big, live brave and dare to follow their dreams.
As a producer and director, Tim has worked with some of Australia's most respected performers, having directed Daryl Somers in GUYS & DOLLS, Rhonda Burchmore, Rachael Beck and Eddie Perfect in INTO THE WOODS and Frank Woodley, Simon Gallaher, Jon English and Julie Anthony in SPAMALOT (which won a Matilda Award for Best Musical in 2014). He also produced the 30th anniversary production of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE at QPAC, starring Andrew O'Keefe, Nancye Hayes and John Wood and directed by Simon Gallaher.
In 2014, he had a vision for a new style of theatre that would allow young dreamers to connect with and perform alongside their heroes and mentors, and so he mounted an arena production of CATS that starred Marina Prior and featured over 800 performers at the Brisbane Convention Centre. It went on to become the largest production of CATS ever staged in the southern hemisphere. Following this success, he mounted a new arena production of HAIRSPRAY, again featuring a large mass ensemble performing alongside some of Australia's biggest stars, including Simon Burke, Christine Anu, Tim Campbell, Amanda Muggleton and Wayne Scott Kermond. The initial season was so successful that it ended up touring the country, giving over 4000 young performers across Australia the chance to be part of the record breaking production. In 2017, he produced GREASE - THE ARENA EXPERIENCE which played sold out arenas in every capital city in Australia, featuring over 5,000 young performers and seen by over 90,000 people nation wide, and starred Courtney Act, Jemma Rix, Beau Ryan, Isaiah Firebrace and more. In 2019 he produced the national tour of THE WIZARD OF OZ - ARENA SPECTACULAR starring John Wood as The Wizard.
Tim is also a published author, and his book DAREDEVIL DREAMER - THE ART OF DREAMING BIG AND LIVING BRAVE is currently avaialble where all good books are sold.
Tim has recieved 9 Del Arte Chart awards for his work in the theatre and won a Groundling Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Queensland Theatre Industry. In 2012 he was nominated as Brisbane Person of the Year and in 2014 he won a gold Matilda Award for his work in the entertainment industry.
Tim is the host of Behind the Red Curtain, and online interview series designed to celebrate the careers of some of theatre's biggest names including Kristin Chenoweth, Philip Quast, Lisa McCune, John Frost, Kelley Abbey, Jemma Rix and many more.
Tim is passionate about helping young creative people pursue their passion and follow their dreams. As such, he is the founder of the Brisbane Academy of Musical Theatre and regularly teaches and mentors emerging young artists.
A father of two, Tim is a relentless daredevil dreamer, committed to helping others to dream BIG and dare to make those dreams come true.