Sam O'Sullivan

Sam is an award-winning writer and actor who has worked with the likes of Sydney Theatre Company, Ensemble Theatre, Belvoir St. Theatre, Darlinghurst Theatre, Griffin Independent, Mophead Productions, Outhouse Theatre and Sport for Jove. He was nominated for Sydney Theatre Awards for his performances in Punk Rock and Journey’s End and has appeared in several other highly acclaimed productions including Constellations, Kill the Messenger, My Zinc Bed, No End of Blame, The Norman Conquests Trilogy, Nearer the Gods and Consent. His screen credits include the interactive feature film Crossing Paths and television series Class of 07, Amazing Grace, Black Comedy, On the Ropes, Packed to the Rafters, Wonderland and Fast Tracks, among others.

As a writer, Sam has received commissions from the Australian Theatre for Young People, Ensemble Theatre, Redline Productions and Poetry in Action. His plays include The Block Universe, The Wind in the Underground, Charlie Pilgrim, You’re Not Special and Boxing Day BBQ. He is a recipient ATYP’s Foundation Commission for Charlie Pilgrim, which is regularly performed across Australia, and has been shortlisted for several other awards including the Animal Logic Screenwriting Award, the Philip Parsons Fellowship, the David Williamson Playwright’s Award and the Silver Gull. His plays have also received several nominations for Sydney Theatre Awards in a variety of categories including Best Independent Production for The Block Universe and Best Production for Young People for Charlie Pilgrim.

His next play, McGuffin Park, was commissioned by Ensemble Theatre and will premiere in 2024. He also has numerous screen projects in development with the likes of Domino Crescent Productions and Thumper Productions.

Sam is also a voice artist and has worked with several prominent brands including McDonalds, Centrum, Telstra, Greater Bank, TAFE NSW and Defence Housing Australia, among others.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Film & Television from Curtin University and a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts (Acting) from NIDA.

Sam lives in Sydney with his wife, daughter and cat, Terry.

press.

THE GUARDIAN. The Moment I Knew… by Eloise Snape.

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The Block Universe (Or So It Goes): Play on time puts relationship to test by Elissa Blake.

AUDREY JOURNAL. Resistance is Useful by Sam O’Sullivan.

LISTEN: The Saturday Quiz Podcast - Gift of the Gab with Eloise Snape and Sam O'Sullivan.

LISTEN: Sam chats to ABC’s The Stage Show about Boxing Day BBQ.

LISTEN: “Who Are You Voting For?” Sam chats to 2SER about McGuffin Park.

Awards and nominations.

WINNER Australian Theatre for Young People Foundation Commission - Charlie Pilgrim (Or a Beginner's Guide to Time Travel)

RUNNER-UP Animal Logic Screenplay Competition - Charlie Pilgrim (Adapted Screenplay)

NOMINATION Sydney Theatre Award - Best Actor in a Independent Production - Punk Rock

NOMINATION Sydney Theatre Award - Best Supporting Actor in an Independent Production - Journey's End

NOMINATION Sydney Theatre Award - Best Independent Production - The Block Universe (Or So It Goes)

SHORTLISTED The Philip Parsons Playwriting Fellowship - The Block Universe (Or So It Goes)

NOMINATION The Silver Gull Playwright's Award - The Block Universe (Or So It Goes)

SHORTLISTED Ensemble Theatre David Williamson Award - The Block Universe (Or So It Goes)

NOMINATION Perth Fringe Best Theatrical Production - The Wind in the Underground

NOMINATION Sydney Theatre Award - Best Production for Young People - Charlie Pilgrim (Or A Beginner’s Guide to Time Travel)

NOMINATION Broadway World Awards - Best Independent Production - You’re Not Special

Acting credits.

Stage.

2023 Shane Midnight Murder at Hamlington Hall Ensemble Theatre

2023 Tim Consent Outhouse Theatre Company

2022 Christopher Wren Nearer the Gods Ensemble Theatre

2019 Wink Wink Kings Cross Theatre

2019 Scott/Bryce Made to Measure Seymour Centre

2018 Tom The Norman Conquests Ensemble Theatre

2017 Grigor No End of Blame Sport for Jove

2016 Osborne Journey's End ATYP/Cross Pollinate

2016 Jimmy A History of Falling Things Ensemble Theatre

2015 Paul My Zinc Bed Ensemble Theatre

2015 Peter Kill the Messenger Belvoir St Theatre Co.

2014 Isak Platonov Mophead/Catnip/ATYP

2014 Roland Constellations Darlinghurst Theatre Company

2014 Tom Music Stories Like These/Griffing Theatre

2014 Nick/Simon Hilt Mirror Mirror

2013 Ross The Removalists Tamarama Rock Surfers Theatre Company

2013 Simon Play House NIDA

2013 Mark Postnuptials anotherbrightidea

2012 Joey A Steady Rain Cathode Ray Tube

2012 Victor Windy Gully Merrigong Theatre Co.

2012 Various Shakespeare On Trial Canute Productions

2012 William Punk Rock pantsguys and ATYP

2011 Ensemble Just For Laughs Comedy Gala Sydney Opera House

2011 Herret Capture the Flag TRS and Critical Stages

2011 Tom Sprout TRS

2011 Henri Men Without Shadows Hobo Collective

2010 Argan The Hypochondriac NIDA

2010 Perceval Lord of the Flies NIDA

2010 Company The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other NIDA

2009 Demetrius A Midsummer Nights Dream NIDA

2009 Smith Threepenny Opera NIDA

2007 Gary The Buzz Barking Gecko

2006 Jesus God, the Devil and the True History Of Mankind Blue Room

2006 Pennyman Shakespearealism Blue Room