Samara Hersch is a theatre maker, director, dramaturg and teaching artist. She graduated with a Masters in Theatre Practice from the Victorian College of the Arts and in 2010 was a recipient of the British Council Realize Your Dream Award. Samara was mentored by Bruce Gladwin, from Back to Back Theatre Co. through the JUMP National Mentorship Program (2010) and worked as a facilitator at Back to Back’s Theatre of Speed as an emerging female director.

In 2013 Samara worked as show director for Back to Back Theatre’s production of Super Discount(Sydney Theatre Co. and Malthouse, Dir. Bruce Gladwin) , was assistant director on The Crucible (Melbourne Theatre Company, Dir. Sam Strong) and a teaching director at Monash University and St Martin’s Youth Arts Centre. She is currently resident dramaturg at Red Stitch Actor’s Theatre and a recipient of the Besen Family Artist Program at the Malthouse.

Directing projects include: Hello There We’ve Been Waiting For You by Louris Van de Geer, Love and Information by Caryl Churchill, NOA by Samara Hersch, House by Richard Maxwell, Permanence by Samara Hersch and Gabby Rose (in collaboration with community group Access Inc.), Fire Face by Marius Von Mayenburg, Action by Sam Shephard, Lawrence and Hollowman by Morris Panych and Sky Sea Man by Lorence Orkin. Samara is currently developing new work META  for the Malthouse Helium Season and short film SUPER, with Access Inc.