people

Liv Satchell

Liv works as a writer, theatre-maker, dramaturg and community organiser. Her original work includes Ballkids (or, scenes from a friendship), co-directed with Julian Dibley-Hall (La Mama); NAYIKA: A Dancing Girl, co-created with Nithya Nagarajan (Belvoir); and The Grief Trilogy (La Mama). She is a three-time Green Room Award winner for Outstanding Writing for Independent Theatre and recipient of both the 2024 Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award and the inaugural New Writing Award, supported by Melbourne Theatre Company as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival, for Ballkids (or, scenes from a friendship). Her directing credits include Shoelace Chaser by Madelaine Nunn (Melbourne Theatre Company), Is Anyone Even Watching? by Olivia Muscat (Arts House), and SIRENS by Benjamin Nichol (fortyfivedownstairs). Her current project in development The Joy Factory was recently shortlisted for the 2026 Patrick White Playwrights Award.

Liv is committed to building platforms for independent artists. Her community work includes co-founding Small and Loud in 2016, a monthly performance program for new works in development that worked with over 300 artists across three years. Her most recent initiative, THINKING GROUND, centres the civic function of art in new project development, and has been presented in collaboration with Next Wave, Darebin Arts, and Theatre Works.

Julian Dibley-Hall

Julian is a director, dramaturg, performer and producer trained at the Victorian College of the Arts and the University of Technology, Sydney. His practice focuses on presenting new theatrical productions through his company VIMH, creating development spaces and opportunities for independent artists, and fostering new writing. 

He co-directed the critically acclaimed Ballkids (or scenes from a friendship) alongside Liv Satchell for Melbourne Fringe Festival 2024, and directed The View From Up Here by Fiona Spitzkowsky at Theatre Works in 2022. 

Julian was the producer of VIMH’s multi-award winning The Grief Trilogy by Liv Satchell presented at La Mama Courthouse in 2023, SIRENS/kerosene by Benjamin Nichol at fortyfivedownstairs also in 2023, and let bleeding girls lie by Liv Satchell at La Mama Courthouse in 2021. 

He has helped facilitate various community development and gathering programs including, most recently, VIMH’s Thinking Ground program which has been presented in partnership with Darebin Speakeasy, Next Wave and Theatre Work.

Julian co-founded Sustainable Theatres Australia, has worked as a Lead Artist with Western Edge, and has held leadership positions with various Melbourne arts companies.

Jules and Liv are always up for a conversation – just shoot them an email at thevoiceinmyhands@gmail.com.