Queenie van de Zandt
Co-Writer & Producer
Queenie van de Zandt is a towering force in the world of Australian musical theatre, cabaret, and comedy. She has the unique ability in all her work to make people feel deeply, and to awaken laughter, empathy and awareness in equal measure.
Her ability to seamlessly transition between various genres of entertainment sets her apart as a truly versatile performer, with a career spanning musical theatre, plays, cabaret, recording, film, and television, as well as acclaimed work as a comedian, writer, and arts educator.
Her career highlights include: on television: Upright II (Foxtel/BINGE), Safe Home (SBS), The Newsreader - Seasons 1, 2 & 3, Very Small Business and Da Kath & Kim Code (ABC), and Five Bedrooms (Network 10); in theatre: Face to Face (STC), Women of Troy (Malthouse/STC), Rabbit Hole, Absent Friends and Abigail’s Party (Ensemble Theatre), Secret Bridesmaid’s Business and After January (La Boite) and The Road to the She-Devil’s Salon (QTC); on film: Scooby Doo and Girl Clock; in musical theatre: Next to Normal (James Terry Collective), Thoroughly Modern Millie (TDP), Into the Woods (Victorian Opera), Follies (Storeyboard Entertainment), Funny Girl (SSO), King Kong Live on Stage (Global Creatures), The Full Monty (IMG/David Atkins) and Oliver (Cameron Mackintosh/IMG); and in cabaret - Smoke & Mirrors (Sydney, Melbourne and Edinburgh Festivals), Moments in the Woods, BLUE: The Songs of Joni Mitchell, CABARET - In 12 Easy Steps, The Best (and Worst) of Queenie van de Zandt and I GET THE MUSIC IN YOU, an evening with Jan van de Stool (Adelaide Cabaret Festival).
As the driving force behind her boutique production house, Amazon Woman Enterprises, Queenie has: released 5 albums(Amazon Woman, Queenie van de Zandt – Live in Cabaret, Other Stories..., BLUE: The Songs of Joni Mitchell - Live and Singing & Vocal Warm Up Exercises); created award-winning theatre shows such as her multi-award-winning show BLUE: The Song of Joni Mitchell which continues to tour around Australia and internationally; and created a cult-following for her comedy alter-ego, Jan van de Stool. As Jan, Queenie has twice co-hosted The Helpmann Awards (Foxtel/ABC), performed in Jan’s multi-award-winning comedy show I GET THE MUSIC IN YOU, an evening with Jan van de Stool (MICF) and continues to tour her latest show, Jan van de Stool in PARTING THE RED CURTAINS (BCF & SCF).
Beyond her performance work, for over two decades, Queenie has also been recognized as one of Australia's most respected arts educators, and in 2015, after holding teaching positions at NIDA, VCA & Federation University in Ballarat, she co-founded The Australian Musical Theatre Academy (AMTA). AMTA brings together top-tier industry professionals to give gifted students the tools to live creative, passionate and fulfilling lives. Queenie has been called a “star-maker” in the media due to the high success rate of children and adults who, having learned her unique audition technique, go on to gain entry to acting schools and be cast in professional musicals. AMTA’s and Queenie’s former students have played lead roles in shows such as: Beetlejuice, Chicago, Beauty & the Beast, Frozen, Dear Evan Hansen, TINA: The Tina Turner Musical, Wicked, & Juliet, and RENT, to name just a few.
As a true champion of the arts, having joined Actors Equity, MEAA in her very first professional show in 1989, Queenie’s unwavering passion for her craft and commitment to the union has also made her a powerful advocate for artists Australia wide.
Drawing on her wealth of experience, Queenie infuses every venture with clear, engaging communication, boundless passion for the arts, an inviting warmth, and her brilliantly infectious humour.
With a staggering 22 award nominations and 9 well-deserved wins under her belt, Queenie van de Zandt's talent continues to be recognized with each new achievement. To stay connected with her latest projects and performances on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok follow @QueenievdZandt | @JanvandeStool | @AMTAcademy.