EMMANUELLE MATTANA
Youth Program
“Mattana has the kind of self-possessed intelligence that raises the IQ of an entire room and leaves it crackling with big-brain energy... [Trophy Boys] is an exemplary instance of how art can advance and improve public debate in a thoroughly entertaining way. It’s as impressive (and funny) a debut as I’ve seen in 20 years as a theatre critic, and the debate it covers... couldn’t be more relevant or urgent."
– The Age
BACKGROUND
Emmanuelle Mattana (she/they) is an actor, writer - and former child-performer - passionate about empowering young artists with the skills and confidence to authentically and bravely express themselves. As a teacher of the Youth Ensemble she champions collaboration, creative risk taking, performing contemporary writing that centres young people, using the arts as a social/political tool and getting way more comfortable with failure!
Her debut play 'Trophy Boys’, which she wrote and leads, recently closed its twice-extended Off-Broadway premiere, directed by Tony Award Winner Danya Taymor, and a third consecutive Australian national tour. It has received sold out audiences, critical acclaim and award recognition; Sydney Theatre Award's Best New Australian Work, BroadwayWorld Australia's Best New Play in Melbourne and Best Performance for VCE Theatre Studies Students after its inclusion on the Victorian high school curriculum. She is currently adapting Oscar winner Jane Campion's film 'Bright Star' for the stage, and is on commission for original plays with the Soho Theatre, London and Red Stitch Actors Theatre.
As a performer she is best known for leading three seasons of the International Emmy Kids® nominated tween series ‘Mustangs FC’ (ABCMe) and ‘Videoland’ (Netflix) which was awarded Best Comedy at Seriesmania. Indie feature film 'Fwends', which she leads and co-wrote was AACTA nominated for Best Indie Film and was awarded the Caligari Prize at the 75th Berlinale (2025), the first ever Australian film to receive the prestigious award which honours a stylistically and thematically innovative film. Other performance credits include The Messenger (ABC); Surviving Summer and Clickbait (Netflix), and Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries (Acorn TV).
As a filmmaker, her work has been commissioned by the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Victoria Together and Screen Australia and recognised at festivals internationally, including queer kids-comedy short 'The Odyssey', which was awarded Best Youth Film at the St Kilda Film Festival.