Genius

Genius is a new dark comedy, written by Sandra Thibodeaux, directed by Nicky Fearn, and co-produced by Thibodeaux, JUTE Theatre Company and Simona Cosentini. Inspired by the extraordinary life and work of Italian Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi, the play explores ambition, creativity, and the challenges artists face in worlds that can be both inspiring and treacherous. Longlisted for the Griffin Award and shortlisted for the NT Literary Awards, Genius will be staged in Cairns in 2025 and in Darwin in 2026.

While its themes have weight, Genius delivers them with wit, theatrical flair and a wicked sense of humour. The play leaps between centuries, from the dramatic, larger-than-life world of Artemisia’s studio to the urban grit of today’s art scene. It depicts both greats of the past and stars of the future with irreverence and imagination, weaving in moments of fantastical justice and outrageous invention.

Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–c.1653) was a prolific and highly skilled painter, renowned for her vivid depictions of powerful, mostly Biblical figures. At a time when artists were often confined to certain subjects, she pushed boundaries and carved her own path, earning a reputation that has endured for centuries. Genius uses her story and art as a jumping-off point to reflect on the persistence of creative ambition in the face of obstacles – then and now.

At the heart of the play is narrator and rising-star street artist Miss Ella, who navigates her own artistic journey while guiding audiences through time, space, and the surprising intersections of history and the present day. Described by a Griffin Award judge as “whimsical” and “empathetic,” Genius arrives on stage after four years of development in Australia and Italy – ready to entertain, surprise, and spark conversation.