Glenn Hayden
A 40+ year professional life in the Performing Arts
1st gig: Dorothy Hewitt's Golden Valley.
Playhouse Theatre Company, WA. 1987
Actor
Between 1987 and 1996, Glenn worked consistently as an actor in Film and TV production but mostly in Theatre, touring Australia several times and working with companies across the country in productions from musical theatre to Shakespeare, to contemporary Australian and international new and established texts, performing in theatres, site specific locations and for national and international festivals. Notable companies include National Theatre Co, Playhouse Theatre Co, Hole in the Wall Theatre Co, Melbourne Workers Theatre, Deckchair Theatre, Ginivan Productions, Elston Productions, WA Ballet Company, WA Opera Company.
Director
Glenn Directed his first play, ‘Made in Spain’ by Tony Grounds, for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 1993 at Melbourne's famed La Mama Theatre. In ’96, he performed for the last time as an actor to focus on a career in Directing. Since '93, Glenn has directed more than 60 professional projects and productions, commissioned over 20 theatre plays, served as Artistic Director for three major arts and community festivals (including the renowned Fremantle Festival), and worked as an Associate Artist with some of Australia’s most innovative companies such as Melbourne Workers Theatre and Deckchair Theatre. During his time at these companies, he was mentored by renowned artists such as Suzie Dee, Angela Chapman, and David Gerrand, among others. In 2004, He gained his first ADship; Urban Myth Theatre Company, SA Glenn's productions have garnered awards in Australia and internationally for best productions, and best performances.
Artistic Director
Between 2000 and 2004, Glenn was Artistic Director of the Theatre Program with DADAA, WA, creating professional works with people experiencing disability and/or disadvantage. During these years, he also served as AD on major festivals throughout Western Australia including the Brave New Works Festival and Fremantle Festival. Glenn served as Artistic Director and later CEO of Urban Myth Theatre Company in South Australia from 2004 to 2014, a significant period in his career. During his tenure, Urban Myth remained a leading youth theatre company, producing exceptional training and performances for young artists aged 5 to 27. Under Glenn's leadership, the company ran 14 weekly workshops for over 300 participants per term and staged around 10 productions annually. In 2010, he introduced the Senior Ensemble, a sought-after 12-month pre-training program for artists 17+, with many graduates advancing to prestigious acting schools. Urban Myth's Out of the Boot program earned the SA State Theatre Young Guns Playwrights Award for seven consecutive years. The company also received numerous accolades for its productions and contributions to the arts. Glenn’s leadership brought international recognition, with productions like Pirates Ship invited to the Thespo Theatre Festival in Mumbai in 2009. Following his departure in 2014, Glenn spent considerable time in Mumbai, mentoring the development of professional theatre companies and teaching and making theatre.
International
Glenn has collaborated with artists and arts organizations in India since 2014, promoting Indian performing arts globally, fostering India-Australia creative ties, and teaching and making theatre. He blends Western actor training with local cultural traits to inspire creativity. Among other international texts, Glenn's Indian productions of Australian texts include Speaking in Tongues by Andrew Bovell (TATA International Literature Festival) , Ruby Moon by Matt Cameron, and A Solitary Choice by Sheila Duncan. He has made theatre for Peas and Carrots Theatre Co., Chakravyu Performing Arts, Amphibian Productions, Firelight Australia and the Jeff Goldberg Studio performing in venues such as The Royal Opera House, G5A, Prithvi Theatre. In 2022, Glenn co-wrote and directed Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp for a South Africa national tour, earning multiple Naledi Theatre Award nominations. He has also taught at the London College of Communications and directed at his old training institute, WAAPA.
Teacher
Glenn first began teaching and facilitating theatre workshops 35 years ago. It is a great passion of his to nurture and support the growth of the industry and the craft. Institutes and organisations he has created and delivered programs for include: Jeff Goldberg Studio | WAAPA | Goa | Deakin University | London School of Communications – Malaysia | Adelaide College of the Arts | Chakravyu Performing Arts | DADAA WA disability arts| Urban Myth Theatre Company | Mobius Strip Productions | Carclew | Cavan Youth Training Centres | Adelaide Secondary School of English | City of Charles Sturt | WORDPLAY Arts in Education | Notre Dame University | Croydon City Council | Drama School Mumbai | Centrelink Australia | Amphibian Productions as well as self producing workshops throughout India and Australia.
Arts Advocate
Glenn had a significant impact on the performing arts industry in Western Australia and beyond. His establishment of the WA Actors Centre, now the Blue Room Theatre, provided a training ground and meeting place for artists and a platform for new works, as it still does. His work with Comedy Ink at that time, helped establish minimum wages and fees for the comedy/cabaret sector in WA. In addition, Glenn has been an active participant in the development of the performing arts industry. He has served on numerous boards and committees, including the WA Actors Equity (MEAA), Country Arts WA (which he served as interim Chair and co-created a mentorship program), funding panels for SA Arts and the Australia Council for the Arts, and management committees across Australia. Glenn has mentored dozens of artists and emerging companies. Most recently, in 2021, Glenn co-wrote the live performer’s guidelines for the Intimacy Collective of India.
Festivals
Glenn has been Artistic Director on Three major Festivals
Awards and Nominations
Also a Mirror Media Awards and International Dementia Excellence Award Issued by ACS SA & NT Awards for Excellence · Dec 2011 Project Creative Director and Company Artistic Director/CEO. Every Generation Positive Ageing - Every Generation Creative Arts Award Media Awards and International Dementia Excellence Award · Dec 2011 Issued by ACS SA & NT Awards for Excellence · Dec 2011 Urban Myth Theatre Company Nomination: Sustained Contribution by an Organisation or group Issued by Ruby Awards · Jul 2011 Company Artistic Director/CEO - Urban Myth Theatre Company Out of the Boot Young Guns Writers Award. Winner Issued by State Theatre of South Australia · Nov 2007 Creative Director and Company Artistic Director/CEO 2007-13 - 5 x Young Guns Writers Award: Out of the Boot writers program Prayer to an Iron God Curtain Call Awards. Nominated Best Drama and Best Actor Issued by Curtain Call Awards South Australia · Jan 2007 Project Creative Director and Company Artistic Director/CEO. Messenger Awards. Winner Best Actress Issued by Messenger Newspaper South Australia · Jan 2007 Project Creative Director and Company Artistic Director/CEO. My Sister Violet Critics Circle Award. Winner Best Youth Production Issued by Critics Circle Awards SA · Jan 2005 Project Creative Director and Company Artistic Director Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp, National SA Tour Naledi Theatre Award, South Africa. Nomination: Break Out Performance. Project Artistic Director. Rehearsal Director Darren King
Corporate Training
With over 15 years of experience in corporate training, Glenn is a specialist in essential "soft skills"—including Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Teamwork & Collaboration, Problem Solving, Adaptability, Resilience, Mindfulness, and Leadership. Glenn’s high-impact sessions are designed for every level of an organization, from Executives, Board Members, and Senior Leaders to Front-Line Managers, Team Leaders, Staff, and Contractors. He has delivered training programs across Australia and India, both as a freelancer and in collaboration with leading organizations. Glenn has worked as a Master Facilitator for SHRM and with Mobius Strip, crafting and delivering transformative learning experiences. He also served as annual Guest Faculty at the Goa Institute of Management (GIM), contributing to the next generation of leaders.
