Jean Betts

Jean Betts is a New Zealand playwright who was born in London, before her family emigrated to New Zealand where they settled in Sumner, Christchurch. Jean later obtained a degree at University of Canterbury in English Literature and New Zealand and Pacific History.[1] She graduated from the New Zealand Drama School (now Toi Whakaari) in 1970, the inaugural year when Nola Miller was principal. Jean was a foundation member of Playmarket (New Zealand, 1975), Circa Theatre (Wellington, 1976) and Taki Rua/The Depot Theatre (Wellington, 1983).[2] In 1979 Jean was a founding member of the expatriate (New Zealand) group 'The Heartache and Sorrow Company' which presented work in Amsterdam, Germany, London, and and at the Edinburgh Festival, and Jean co-wrote and directed many works for them. In 1993 Jean co-founded the Women's Professional Playwrights Association (WOPPA) which premiered her play Ophelia Thinks Harder at the WOPPA Festival.[1] Ophelia Thinks Harder has subsequently been translated in German and Italian and produced over 160 times. In 2015 Jean received the Playmarket award of $20,000 for her contribution to New Zealand Theatre.[3]

Plays

References

  1. 1 2 "Spotlight Jean Betts" (011297039703). Playmarket. Playmarket News.
  2. ↑ Circa 1996 - 2016. Wellington, New Zealand: Whitireia Publishing. 2016. pp. pg 2. ISBN 978-0-9941302-3-5.
  3. ↑ "Jean Betts awarded 2015 Playmarket Award". Creative New Zealand. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  4. ↑ Betts, Jean (2005). The Collective. Wellington, New Zealand: The Play Press. ISBN 1-877319-10-4.
  5. ↑ Betts, Jean (1998). Revenge of the Amazons. Wellington, New Zealand: The Women's Play Press. ISBN 0958339368.
  6. ↑ "Jean Betts". Playmarket. Retrieved 21 April 2016.



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