about straightjacket productions

We at Straightjacket Productions are well into our second year and despite the fact that Lucy's gone grey, Sarah's taken up yoga and meditation and Samuel's night terrors are no longer confined to nights, we're all doing rather well. After selling out our first show last year, MEN, we co-produced a film-clip with Tony Jackson for Speed Orange and completed 2 ten minute webisodes for Southern Star and Ten's 'Rush'. And now here we are, back where we belong, 3 storeys underground at 45Down, with what we hope is our most exciting offering yet, Reg Cribbs' 'The Haunting of Daniel Gartrell', directed by Lucy Freewoman. Enjoy!

samuel johnson

Samuel stumbled into acting at the awkward age of 15. After cutting his teeth on soaps, corporates and shorts, Samuel landed the lead in The Secret Life of Us (2000). This pretty much changed everything – Samuel stopped soliciting in his spare time for extra cash and turned acting into his proper job. After winning an AFI in ‘03 Samuel promptly disappeared, reported to be in Porcupine Ridge, searching for answers to his faltering sense of self. Apparently this didn’t really help so he got back to work on things like Small Time Gangsters, Rush, Underbelly II and The Pacific. He’s tried to play himself (“very difficult”) on Talkin’ ‘bout your Generation, Wilfred and Thank God You’re Here. His film credits include: Crawlspace, $9.99, Blind Company, The Illustrated Family Doctor and Crackerjack. Samuel reckons he’s done ‘about ten’ plays, including Hotel Sorrento, Weary, MEN and Secret Bridesmaid’s Business. Samuel is the only founding member of Straightjacket Productions that still gets night terrors.

lucy freeman

Lucy Freeman directs text-based theatre, has a penchant for Australian stories, and enjoys theatre that positions realist characterization and narratives in theatrical, collaboratively created environments. Lucy is Artistic Director of Straightjacket Productions. Her most recent productions include The Housekeeper and The Peppercorn Tree (Ellis Productions), TOP ACTS (Hamer Hall, 2010 and The Palias, 2011), Kill the Wolf (9minds, Vic Arts Centre), A Narrow Time for Angels (The Storeroom) and Wild East (Red Stitch). Lucy is directing the upcoming Shy Tiger Production of Home for Lunch by Rebecca Lister at Chapel off Chapel. Lucy trained in the USA (The Strasberg Institute / Stella Adler Conservatory / HB Studios), has just completed her masters in theatre and drama, was awarded the 2006 international GEICO life scholarship for academic excellence and is chair of the Australian Women Directors Alliance (AWDA). 

sarah hallam

Sarah Hallam has been working extensively in the industry as an actor, teacher, and casting director for the past 16 years. Last year Sarah moved into directing with her debut at 45 downstairs, MEN by Brendan Cowell; Straightjacket's first production. Since then Sarah has been busy directing the Rush Pilot Webisodes in co-production with Southern Star, and co directed Speed Orange's music clip – The Ballard of you, me & Donnie McGee. Primarliy working in casting, Sarah has worked with casting agents Jodie Brearley, Jo Rippon, Faith Martin, Helen Salter, Christine King, Mel Mackintosh, Kirsty McGregor, Toni Higginbotham and 2 Divas. Sarah's television and film credits include: Neighbours, Spartacus, Straight For The Try Line, Rush, Blind Company, City Homicide, Canal Road, Blue Heelers, Mortified, Lost Treasure of Fiji, Pirate Islands, 48 Shades of Brown, Scooter Secret Agent, Ocean Girl, Stingers and Shotgun. Sarah toured with the Arena Theatre production Australian Marriage Act, and is currently producing and directing her film Every Picture. Sarah has taught at Swinburne University, The National Theatre, Brave Studios, Screen Actor's Studio, Open Channel, Tafta, Drama with a Difference, Blackbox Mgt, TVI and Centrestage. Sarah is the ONLY Straightjacket founding partner who takes Psyllium Husk.