Jump to content

Ursula Yovich

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ursula Yovich
Born
Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
OccupationsActress, singer

Ursula Yovich is an Aboriginal Australian actress and singer. She is known for numerous stage appearances, for co-writing and appearing in the rock musical Barbara and the Camp Dogs (2017), and several film and TV appearances.

Early life and education

[edit]

Yovich was born in 1977[1] in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, and also grew up there. Her father, Slobodan Jović, was a Bosnian Serb immigrant who anglicised his name to Yovich. Her mother is an Aboriginal Burarra woman from north-west Arnhem Land near the Blyth River, with the closest community being Maningrida.[2] Raised in Darwin with her Dad, both her parents spoke English as a second language.[3]

Yovich started singing when she was young, and at the age of 13, began formal music training when her father enrolled her in singing classes. She later joined one of the local youth theatre groups.[3] She eventually left Darwin to study in Perth,[4] graduating from the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts in 1996,[5] before eventually relocating to Sydney.[4]

Career

[edit]

Yovich has appeared in more than 50 theatre and musical theatre productions, including Capricornia, Mother Courage and her Children, The Sapphires, Natural Life, Nailed, The Sunshine Club, Jerry Springer the Opera, Nathaniel Storm, and The Adventures of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie and Little Ragged Blossom.[6][7][8][9]

Yovich co-wrote the libretto and songs for rock musical Barbara and the Camp Dogs with Alana Valentine, and appeared in the show alongside Elaine Crombie.[10][11] She wrote and starred in her own one-woman cabaret, Magpie Blues and also wrote The Man with the Iron Neck, which toured Australia from 2018 to 2019.[12]

Yovich featured in Australia's first Aboriginal opera, Pecan Summer. She toured both locally and internationally with the musicians of Black Arm Band in Dirtsong. She has also performed in the all-girl group, Barefoot Divas.[12]

Yovich's film credits include drama Jindabyne (2006), Baz Luhrmann epic Australia (2008), Around the Block (2013), crime thriller Goldstone (2016)[13][14][15] and romantic comedy Top End Wedding (2019).[12]

She has appeared in television series' including Redfern Now, season 2 of the crime drama series Mystery Road, and the comedy series Preppers.[16] Other television credits include Wakefield, Wanted, The Code, The Gods of Wheat Street.[12] Rake, The Moth Effect, The Twelve, Irreverent, How to Stay Married, Doctor Doctor, Faboriginal and Devil's Dust.[15]

Yovich is a writer on the NITV animated children's TV series Little J & Big Cuz, in which she also voiced the characters of Nanna and Levi.[12] Additionally, she was the subject of an episode of the SBS documentary series Blaktrax.[16]

In 2019, while filming for Mystery Road, Yovich announced that after 22 years, she was stepping away from the theatre, saying she couldn't pretend that she wanted to pursue theatre any longer.[17] In 2024, she made a theatre comeback, appearing in The Lewis Trilogy.[18]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Work Award Category Result Ref
2002Ursula YovichTudawali AwardsBob Maza Memorial AwardWon[19][20]
2007CapricorniaHelpmann AwardsBest Female Actor in a PlayWon[21]
2010Magpie BluesHelpmann AwardsBest Cabaret PerformerNominated[22]
2015Ursula YovichSidney Myer Performing Arts AwardsOutstanding Body of Work in TheatreWon[23]
2016The Eulogy (pitch/unwritten)Balnaves FoundationIndigenous playwrights awardWon[24]
2017Barbara and the Camp DogsSydney Theatre AwardsBest New Australian WorkNominated[25]
Sydney Theatre AwardsBest Original ScoreNominated[25]
Sydney Theatre AwardsBest Female ActorNominated[25]
2018AWGIE AwardsMusic Theatre AWGIENominated[25]
2019Helpmann AwardsBest Female Actor in a MusicalWon[26]
Helpmann AwardsBest Original ScoreWon[26]
New South Wales Premier's Literary AwardsNick Enright Prize for Playwriting (with Alana Valentine)Nominated[27]
Top End WeddingAACTA AwardsBest Supporting ActorNominated[22]
2020Top End WeddingFilm Critic's Circle of Australia AwardsBest Supporting ActorWon[22]
2021Ursula YovichEnsemble TheatreSandra Bates Director's AwardWon[28]

Personal life

[edit]

As of 2009 Yovich was married to Stewart O'Connell, a lawyer, and the couple has one daughter.[29]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1998 My Bed Your Bed Della Short film
2006 Jindabyne Alice
2008 $9.99 Camille (voice) Animated film
Australia Daisy
2010 Aesop's Way Adrian's Wife Short film
2013 Destiny in the Dirt Danni Short film
Around the Block Chrissie
2014 Spirit Stones Eva Short film
2016 Goldstone Maria
2019 Top End Wedding Daffy Ford
Totem and Ore Testimonies reader Documentary
2023 The Royal Hotel Carol
TBA It Will Find You Aunty Completed
TBA Whale Shark Jack Hazel In post-production

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2002 Blue Heelers Elvira Cook Episode: "Reflection"
2012 Devil's Dust Pauline Gordon Miniseries, 2 episodes
2012–2013 Redfern Now Nic Shields Episodes: "Stand Up", "Pokies"
2014 Rake Holly Episodes: "3.4", "3.5"
The Gods of Wheat Street Eden Freeburn Regular role, 6 episodes
The Code Kitty Boyd Recurring role, 5 episodes
2017–2021 Little J & Big Cuz Levi 37 episodes
2018 Wanted Shirley Episode: "3.3"
2020 Mystery Road Pansy 6 episodes
2021 The Moth Effect Megan Episode: "Have You Heard of the White Ant?"
Preppers Kelly 6 episodes[30]
Doctor Doctor Magistrate Episode: "Reasonable Doubt"
Wakefield Maria 1 episode
2022 The Twelve Hope Saunders 4 episodes
Irreverent Grace 6 episodes
2023 Deadloch 6 episodes
Home and Away Victoria Hudson 2 episodes
Faraway Downs Daisy 6 episodes
2024 Total Control Robin Episode: #3.4[31]
Blakball Various roles
Pleasant Avenue Iris King Miniseries, 4 episodes
Troppo Ronnie 8 episodes
2025 Playing Gracie Darling Zarah Cusic 1 episode
Top End Bub Daffy Ford 8 episodes

Theatre

[edit]

As performer

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref
1999The Sunshine ClubSTC / QTC[5]
2001The Small PoppiesLepBelvoir, Sydney[5]
2001–2002My GirragunjiVarious rolesBell Shakespeare
2002The DreamersMeenaBelvoir, Sydney
The Anatomy Lesson of De RyushRachelVitalstatistix
2003–2004The Threepenny OperaPollyBelvoir, Sydney, Bogata Festival, Columbia
2004RiverlandMillyWindmill Theatre Co[5]
2004–2005The SapphiresJulieMTC, Belvoir, Sydney[32][1]
2005NailedMayGriffin Theatre Company[33]
2006CapricorniaTocky O'CannonBelvoir, Sydney
Seven Stages of GrievingSolo showSTC[5]
Afternoon of the ElvesJaneWindmill Theatre Co[5]
2007The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie and Little Ragged BlossomRagged BlossomBelvoir, Sydney / Windmill Theatre Co
2008Romeo & JulietNurseSTC
An Oak TreeGuestBelvoir, Sydney
2009Jerry Springer: The OperaAndreaSydney Opera House[1]
One Night the MoonThe Tracker's WifeMalthouse Theatre, Melbourne[22][34]
The Wizard of OzDorothySydney Theatre with Windmill Theatre Co and STC[35]
2009–2010Magpie BluesInternational Cabaret Festival, Adelaide, Darwin Festival, Brisbane Cabaret Festival, Garma Festival, Arnhem Land, Melbourne International Arts Festival[1]
2010Waltzing the WillarraElsaYirra Yaakin Theatre Company, Perth[1]
Pecan Summer (opera)Singer[1]
2011BloodlandCherishSTC
2012; 2013Barefoot DivasSydney Festival, Queensland Music Festival[1]
2012; 2014The Magic HourSolo showDeckchair Theatre, Perth, Australian tour with Performing Lines[36]
2013The Secret RiverDhirrumbinSTC[1]
Mother Courage and Her ChildrenMother CourageQPAC with QTC[37][1]
2014A Christmas CarolMrs CratchettBelvoir, Sydney[22]
20 QuestionsBelvoir, Sydney[38]
Santos Opening Night ConcertMCGarmalang Festival, Darwin[39]
2015Dirt SongPerformerNZ tour with Black Arm Band
Love and InformationVarious rolesSTC / Malthouse Theatre
Four Little BirdsGarmalang Festival, Darwin[39]
2016The Golden AgeElizabethSTC
Power PlaysTV ProducerSTC
Creature: Dot & the KangarooKangarooQPAC, Brisbane with Stalker Theatre for Out of the Box festival[22][40]
2017Heart is a WastelandRayeBrown Cab Productions / Malthouse Theatre
Diving for PearlsBarbaraGriffin Theatre Company
1967: Songs in the Key of YesAdelaide Festival, Sydney Opera House for Sydney Festival with Secret Chord[22][41]
2017; 2019Barbara and the Camp DogsBarbaraBelvoir, Sydney[42]
2018The Resistible Rise of Arturo UiGivolaSTC
Vivaldi's Four Seasons (development)PerformerForce Majeure
Dubboo – Life of a SongmanArtistCarriageworks, Sydney with Bangarra Dance Theatre
2018–2019Man with the Iron NeckRoseBrisbane Festival, Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival, Darwin Festival with Legs on the Wall[43][12]
2019Badu Gili (live music series)Sydney Opera House[22]
2020The 5th Baiame'sPerformerNgunnhu Festival 2020
2021; 2024Well-Behaved WomenEnsemble CastNeglected Musicals / Belvoir, Sydney[44]
2022; 2023An Evening with Ursula YovichSolo performerEnsemble Theatre, Sydney, Sydney Festival[39]
2023Aretha: A Love Letter to the Queen of SoulPerformerSydney Opera House
2024The Lewis TrilogyNorma / Cherry / MalcolmStables Theatre, Sydney with Griffin Theatre Company[18]
2025The Black Woman of GippslandAuntie Rochelle / EnsembleMTC[45]
Natural Life[33][1]
Nathaniel Storm[33]
Corrugation RoadBlack Swan State Theatre Company[5]
Darlinghurst NightsDarwin Theatre Company[5]
Winyanboga YurringaCarriageworks, Sydney[22]
Red Carpet CabaretDarlinghurst Theatre[22]

As writer/director

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref
2017; 2019Barbara and the Camp DogsPlaywrightBelvoir St Theatre, Sydney[46]
2018The Fever and the Fret (development)DirectorEnsemble Theatre, Sydney[39][47]
2018–2019Man with the Iron NeckPlaywrightBrisbane Festival, Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival, Darwin Festival with Legs on the Wall[43][12]
2021OutdatedAssistant DirectorEnsemble Theatre, Sydney[39][48]
2022A Letter for MollyDirectorEnsemble Theatre, Sydney
2023; 2024TrackerCo-writerAustralian national tour with Australian Dance Theatre & Ilbijerri Theatre Company[39]

[39]

Discography

[edit]
  • Sketches EP (2004)
  • Ursula Yovich Live (2010)[39]
  • Well-Behaved Women (2023, contributing vocalist)

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "The Sapphires". Theatregold. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  2. ↑ Gibson, Joel (6 April 2009). "Best of both worlds: mixed marriages blooming". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  3. 1 2 "Ursula Yovich – Life Journey". www.deadlyvibe.com.au. 18 October 2010.
  4. 1 2 Joseph, Dione (28 September 2010). "Ursula Yovich". www.australianstage.com.au.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "The Wizard of Oz". www.windmill.org.au. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  6. ↑ "Baby, you've hit the big time now". Northern Territory News 30 December 2007
  7. ↑ "Who's That Girl?" Archived 4 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine Deadly Vibe Issue 113 July 2006
  8. ↑ "Ursula Yovich" Archived 20 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Song Summit Sydney
  9. ↑ "The Adventures of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie and Little Ragged Blossom". The Sydney Morning Herald. 15 January 2007.
  10. ↑ Litson, Jo (20 February 2019). "Review: Barbara and the Camp Dogs (Belvoir)". Limelight. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  11. ↑ Tongue, Cassie (18 December 2017). "Barbara and the Camp Dogs: how one woman's anger became a rock show". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The Luminary Series Artists and Episodes". www.darlinghursttheatre.com. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  13. ↑ "Other Voices". Deadly Vibe. 4 August 2008. Archived from the original on 4 August 2008. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  14. ↑ "Ursula unwinds and says 'yes' to Stewart". Northern Territory News. 28 October 2008.
  15. 1 2 Cite error: The named reference Belvoir was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. 1 2 "On the box". Green Left Online. 17 October 2007. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  17. ↑ Howard, Jane (13 August 2019). "Ursula Yovich on giving up theatre: 'It wasn't making me happy any more'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  18. 1 2 Guenzler, Joseph (15 March 2024). "Ursula Yovich marks stage return with The Lewis trilogy". National Indigenous Times. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  19. ↑ "Screen Australia's Indigenous Department celebrates 25 years". Screen Australia. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  20. ↑ "Bob Maza Fellowship". AustLit. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  21. ↑ "Meet the Territory's new star". Northern Territory News. 8 August 2007. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Well Behaved Women". AusStage. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  23. ↑ "Winners of the 2015 Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  24. ↑ "Fellowship and Residencies". Belvoir St Theatre. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  25. 1 2 3 4 "Helpmann nominee Ursula Yovich to bow out on top". The Sydney Morning Herald. 15 June 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  26. 1 2 "2019 Nominees and Winners". Helpmann Awards. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  27. ↑ "Nick Enright Prize for Playwrighting 2019 Shortlist". State Library of NSW. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  28. ↑ Cristi, A. A. "Ursula Yovich Awarded Ensemble Theatre's Sandra Bates Director's Award". Broadway World Sydney, 11 November 2020
  29. ↑ Most indigenous Australians now 'marrying out', study finds Joel Gibson. The Sydney Morning Herald 6 April 2009
  30. ↑ Byram, Vickii (15 November 2021). "ABC TV comedy Preppers stars a cohort of brilliant Indigenous actors and a stellar guest star line-up". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  31. ↑ "Total Control filming third and final series | TV Tonight". June 2023.
  32. ↑ "The Sapphires". Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
  33. 1 2 3 "Ursula Yovich – Life Journey". www.deadlyvibe.com.au. 18 October 2010.
  34. ↑ "One Night The Moon – Malthouse Theatre". www.australianstage.com.au. Retrieved 19 September 2009.
  35. ↑ Simmonds, Diana (26 October 2009). "The Wizard of Oz". www.stagenoise.com.
  36. ↑ Tan, Monica (9 August 2014). "The Magic Hour review – women who fail, flail and persist nonetheless". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  37. ↑ Dionysius, Bobbi-Lea (19 June 2013). "Mother Courage and Her Children". AussieTheatre.com. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  38. ↑ "20 Questions". www. belvoir.com.au. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Ursula Yovich". www.mollisonkeightley.com. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  40. ↑ "Creature: An Adaptation of Dot and the Kangaroo". www.stagewhispers.com.au. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
  41. ↑ Spring, Alexandra (18 January 2017). "1967: Music in the Key of Yes review – an impassioned retrospective on Indigenous rights". The Guardian.
  42. ↑ "Barbara and the Camp Dogs". Australian Arts Review. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  43. 1 2 "Review: Man with the Iron Neck at the Dunstan Playhouse". Theatre Travels. 10 March 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  44. ↑ "Well-Behaved Women". Limelight. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  45. ↑ "The Black Woman of Gippsland". MTC. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  46. ↑ "Barbara and the Camp Dogs". Australian Arts Review. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
  47. ↑ "Cast Announcement: The Fever and the Fret". Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. 26 October 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  48. ↑ "Outdated". Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ursula_Yovich&oldid=1358879295"