Bio
DIRECTOR
Francesca holds degrees in Theatre and Acting from QUT and furthered her training in Shakespeare at RADA, Shakespeare’s Globe (UK), and Shakespeare & Company (US).
Frankie has pursued directing and arts education alongside her acting career since graduating. As an actor, Frankie’s has worked across Australia and overseas for Sport for Jove, International Actors Ensemble, Auckland Summer Shakespeare, Bell Shakespeare, Queensland Theatre Company, Critical Stages, Griffin, Parramatta Riverside, and Old Fitz as well as making screen appearances in Marley, Someone, The Beehive (Tribeca Short Film Festival), Starting from Now, Home & Away, Packed to the Rafters, and Venus & Adonis.
Francesca’s Directing experience includes Sport for Jove’s mainstage and Summer seasons as well as Coordinating and directing for the Second Age Project since its inception in 2012. She has also directed for Bell Shakespeare and the renowned drama schools QUT and ACA. Most recently, she directed Killing Katie for Ensemble Theatre.
Francesca has over 15 years’ experience as a Drama and Acting teacher, working throughout Australia and internationally with individual students as well as within school and university institutions.
Francesca received a 2010 Churchill Fellowship to direct and teach Shakespeare in South Africa, a 2015 Globe International Actor’s Fellowship to train in London, UK, and in 2017 was a recipient of the Sandra Bates Director’s Award at Ensemble Theatre to work with the company throughout the year. Frankie is a proud member of Actors Equity.
Reviews
"The direction and casting by Francesca Savige and the creative team were done exceptionally well with each actor playing to their absolute strengths."
- A Midsummer's Night Dream, Absolute Theatre
"Francesca Savige brings a lovely impishness to her role as Abigail Williams. There is a strong sense behind her performance of just the complexity of character... "
- The Crucible, ABC Radio
...Savige is by turns fierce, vulnerable and very human as she takes us with her on her journey...."
- As You Like It, Theatrereview.org
"Francesca Savige’s interpretation of Shakespeare’s major heroine ...lend the romance credibility."
- As You Like It, Theatre Scenes, Auckland
"Director Francesca Savige and her cast bring Trinder’s characters to vibrant life in a production that is bright, colourful, fast-paced and extremely funny."
- Killing Katie, Stagewhispers
"All of this is occurs under Savige’s skilful direction. She pays homage to Trinder with a production that explores all the nuances that the playwright has built into the plot: the characters’ flaws and frailties, the implications of their...
- Killing Katie, Stagewhispers
"...relationships, the group dynamics, the changes that are wrought. The blocking is firm; the tension taut; there is no extraneous action. Even the scene changes are tightly choreographed."
- Killing Katie, Stagewhispers
"Director Francesca Savige ensures this work retains an honesty within the humor so that the story remains relatable with many of the audience responding to the recognizable behavior patterns with knowing laughter."
- Killing Katie, Broadway World
"Savige has also created such a wonderful intimate atmosphere here. ..
- Killing Katie, Reviews by Judith
"The director’s stewardship of the character based text ensures that the women are not backbiting or querulous, not sniping or undermining. We feel for their dilemmas inside the relationships and fall completely in love with them..."
- Killing Katie, Reviews by Judith