Independent theatre.
Feminist voices.
Juicy texts.
Thursday’s Child Theatre is an independent theatre company founded by producer/performer Michaela Bedel and director Rachel Baring. We collaborate with female and gender-diverse artists to put bold, feminist spins on classic and contemporary plays.
Our first production, Patricia Cornelius’s Slut was critically acclaimed, with Theatre Press calling it “close to perfection” and The Age naming it one of Melbourne’s must-see shows. In 2025, our production of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal at Chapel Off Chapel earned five-star reviews and praise for its “sizzling” chemistry and “gut-wrenching”, “resonant” storytelling.
Next up is Mary Stuart: a reimagining of Schiller’s political tragedy, created by the team behind some of our most acclaimed work.
Co-founders.
PRODUCER & PERFORMER
Michaela Bedel
Michaela Bedel is a Melbourne-based actor, producer and voice-over artist, and co-founder of Thursday’s Child Theatre.
Her theatre credits include Emma in Harold Pinter’s Betrayal at Chapel Off Chapel, Patricia Cornelius’s Slut, and statewide touring as Lady Macbeth and Juliet with Complete Works Theatre.
Her screen work includes the US television series Preacher (Sony Pictures/AMC) and the independent feature films We Will Never Die and Searching Inside the Pitch Black Night.
As a producer, Michaela has led Thursday’s Child’s productions from development through to season, overseeing fundraising, marketing, partnerships and audience development. Her broader arts and screen marketing work includes projects with Melbourne Fringe and Cinema Viscera.
Michaela combines her experience as a performer, producer and communications specialist to create ambitious, actor-driven work with complex female characters at its heart.
DIRECTOR & ADAPTOR
Rachel Baring
Rachel Baring is a theatre director with over 15 years of experience, having staged productions across the UK, the US, and Australia. A NIDA graduate (Directing, 2011), she was selected for the MTC Women Directors’ Program in 2015.
Her directing credits include Slut (2020 and 2024), Hildegard/Knef, Too Ready Mirror, Marie Antoinette, Brustwarze – The Wart on My Breast, Murder Ballads, and The Goat; or Who is Sylvia?. Her work has been featured at Melbourne Fringe, Adelaide Fringe, and Ramsgate Festival (UK).
Rachel has worked as a dramaturge and mentor, collaborating with artists such as Gale Edwards and Max Lyandvert. She also served as Festival Director for Short+Sweet Theatre Festival, curating over 50 productions per season.
With a strong background in new writing, devised theatre, and feminist storytelling, Rachel continues to create bold, thought-provoking work.