Ancestry Road | Dark Epic Films | August 2023

Jess spent three weeks on location in Oatlands, Tasmania, co-starring in the feature film Ancestry Road, directed by Glenn Triggs. Once again donning an Irish accent for the role, Jess plays Anadele McGavin, a wife and mother trying to protect her children as their deceased ancestors start mysteriously reappearing on their farm.

TVCs | Winter 2023

Jess enjoyed shooting a range of TVCs throughout Melbourne during June and July. You can catch her telling porkies, shedding a happy tear, ruining the BBQ vibes, or dancing to her heart’s content on your televisions for the foreseeable future.

Directing The Crucible | Complete Works Theatre Co. | July 2023

Jess was honoured to be asked to direct the Winter 2023 Victorian season of The Crucible for Complete Works. The team had a blast working out of the Abbotsford Convent for an intensive rehearsal period before hitting the road.

Firelight | Barkly Blue Productions | May 2023

Jess starred as Irishwoman Annie Macaulay in the short film Firelight, directed by Catherine Nickson. Shot on location in regional Victoria, Firelight follows the true story of the Macaulays as Annie’s husband, William, sets out on a dangerous journey through the mountains at the height of the authority’s desperate bid to catch notorious bushranger, Ned Kelly.

Women of Troy | Complete Works Theatre Company | 2023

Jess reprised her roles as Cassandra and Helen in Women of Troy, touring across Victoria with Complete Works Theatre Company, for the first half of 2023. As a bit of a Greek mythology and theatre nerd, Jess loves having the opportunity to engage with young people on the format of Greek tragedy, and relishes in defending Helen in the post-show Q&As.

The Crocodile | fortyfivedownstairs | February 2023

Jess’s theatre company, Spinning Plates Co., opened 2023 with a sold out season of The Crocodile by Tom Basden at fortyfivedownstairs. Directed by Cassandra Fumi and designed by Dann Barber, the show enjoyed rave reviews, and is returning to the stage by popular demand in September 2023.

“★★★★½…every element of stagecraft merges with guillotine-sharp synergy” - Cameron Woodhead, The Age

“★★★★½…everything about Spinning Plates Co’s The Crocodile works” - Anna Hayes, Theatre Matters

“★★★★½…if you want to step through the looking glass into all the delights Melbourne theatre has to offer, you couldn’t find a better place to start” - Vanessa Francesca, Arts Hub

Shut Up I’m a Vampire | Melbourne Fringe Festival | October 2022

Green Room Nominee 2023

This Fringe, Jess has written a new one-woman show. Presenting Shut Up I’m a Vampire at The Butterfly Club, a Spinning Plates Co production. Come on a horror-filled journey in this one-woman show as the victim of one bloody bad night rehashes her version of the story for you. Featuring live sound accompaniment by James Cerché, the Spinning Plates Co. duo (You Are The Blood, Meat Market 2019; JSMR, Melbourne Fringe 2021) is back with more intimate, chilling and quirky material that explores the ways in which our mind is willing to bend the truth to keep us safe.

Find out more here.

JSMR is back! | Melbourne Fringe Festival | October 2022

JSMR is back. And this year, she’s live at the Fringe Festival Hub. Jess will be bringing her award-winning ASMR-based interactive show, JSMR back for a second year in a row, performing a whopping 45 shows across the festival. Join us at Trades Hall from October 6th - 21st.

Find out more here.

Richell Prize | Hachette Australia | September 5th, 2022

Jess was thrilled to be able to share that she has been longlisted for the Richell Prize 2022, for her first manuscript of non-fiction novel, Intimacy. The Longlist featured only 20 writers from over 700 entrants. The shortlist will be announced in mid October. Congratulations to all the writers involved!

The Crucible | Complete Works Theatre Company | Winter, 2022

Jess returns as Abigail Williams in the Victorian touring production of The Crucible. The production will be heading to schools all over the state through the months of July and August, to give Year 12 students an insight into Arthur Miller’s famous text.

JSMR for Melb Fringe | Spinning Plates Co. | September - October, 2021

Art Unbound Award Winner 2021

Jess was thrilled to receive the Art Unbound Award for Melbourne Fringe Festival 2021, supported by Experimenta. This was awarded in recognition of an artist or collective who is experimenting with presentation models, challenging audience expectation and innovating with technology.

Thank you so much to the Fringe team, judges, and everyone who watched the show!.

JSMR for Melb Fringe | Spinning Plates Co. | September - October, 2021

Something weird this way comes!

Jess was incredibly excited to be heading back into a theatre (the stunning Old Council Chambers at Trades hall, no less) post-Covid, with her one-person experimental show JSMR: an ASMR & Storytelling Experience, presented at the Fringe Hub for Melbourne Fringe.

Well, with Fringe pivoting to an online format following extended lockdown, Jess spent a couple of weeks reimagining and filming the show so that it could be presented online instead.

Whether you love or hate ASMR, feel free to grab your headphones, lie back somewhere comfy, and tune in to a digital experience that will surely feel calming, strange, and deeply personal - sometimes all at once.

Find out more and grab yourself a ticket by clicking here.

JSMR is streaming online (meaning you can watch it from the comfort of your home anytime after you’ve purchased your ticket) until October 17th, 2021.

Theatre’s Back! | Complete Works Theatre Company | February, 2021

For the third year in a row, Jess reprised her role as Dr Piper Ross in Hannie Rayson’s Extinction. It was such a privilege to be able to be back on stage performing in front of a live audience once more. Jess will be touring Extinction throughout Terms One and Two.

Riverview Farms TVC | January, 2021

It was great to be back on set in December, 2020, shooting a cheeky TVC for Riverview Farms. And there’s James, Jess’s real-life partner playing her boyfriend in the scene - fun fact, nobody actually knew they were a couple when they were booked for this ad!

Much Ado About Nothing | Complete Works | November, 2020

The moment that Melbourne lockdown lifted in late October, Complete Works was back in rehearsals, gearing up to film a bunch of shows for schools to be able to enjoy as a resource in 2021. Jess was reprising her role as Hero for the second year running. Trying to act in masks definitely made all of our eyebrows a little over-reactive, but aside from that, it was a blast!

Laundry - a one-take short film | Spinning Plates Co. | March, 2020

Jess and James found little ways to keep themselves creatively challenged during Melbourne’s long, long lockdown. Feeling inspired by the incredible film, 1917, which was made up of very long takes without cutting, Jess came up with an idea for a similar style film that could be created entirely within their apartment complex. It’s not quite 1917, but it was a blast to make.

The Crucible | Complete Works | June, 2020

In the very uncertain times of mid-2020 Melbourne, Jess was back in rehearsals (almost) as per usual with The Crucible, in which she plays Abigail Williams. This time, the show was being prepared for filming, so that schools would still have access to the material to help with their studies.

It was great to be back in rehearsals!

Extinction | Complete Works Theatre Company | February, 2020

Jess is thrilled to be embarking on her third tour with Complete Works Theatre Company. This time she is taking on two full-length plays, returning to her role as Dr Piper Ross, the American zoologist, in Hannie Rayson’s Extinction, and also playing Hero and Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing.

Quite Drunk, Very Jesus-y | Key Conspirators & North of Eight | September, 2019

No rest for the wicked! Jess is returning to Melbourne Fringe Festival once again to play the most hilarious role of Beth in Quite Drunk, Very Jesus-y, written by Grace de Morgan and directed by Peter Blackburn. This will be a co-pro between North of Eight and Key Conspirators, and will be presented at Trades Hall from September 12th to the 22nd.

The Crucible | Complete Works Theatre Company | July, 2019

Jess is thrilled to once again be working with Complete Works on their touring production of The Crucible, which is being studied by VCE students across Victoria. Jess is performing the fantastic and challenging role of Abigail Williams, and is excited to be able to share Abigail’s perspective with the students during the post-show Q&As.

You Are The Blood | Spinning Plates Co. | July, 2019

Jess and James, the partnership behind Spinning Plates Co., have been working tirelessly all year to bring you their second production: You Are The Blood by Ashley Rose Wellman, and directed by Peter Blackburn. It will be performed at Meat Market’s Stables in July, and even more special - the playwright is flying in from LA to see the show! Other cast members include Andrew Blackman, Jem Nicholas and Vivienne Powell.

“Stanley paints a captivating Shelby, one who draws the audience through the story with laughter, fear and tears.”

- Theatre Travels

Strata, Inc. | North of Eight | November, 2018

Capping off a great season, Jess was lucky enough to play the leading role of Lysa Strata in the world premiere of Strata, Inc., a modern adaptation of Lysistrata. Australian Stage wrote of her performance:

“Stanley is sincere and gives a layered performance of a character that could be easy to hate, keeping the audience with her to the very end.”

Ross & Rachel | Melbourne Fringe Festival | September, 2018

Jess returns to the Melbourne Fringe stage for another solo performance in Ross & Rachel, written by Olivier Award-nominated playwright James Fritz. Playing at Theatre Works from September 18 - 23rd, Ross & Rachel is a two person dialogue for one, and asks the question: what happens after The End, after you find “The One”?. This Edinburgh smash-hit now has its Australian Premier with a narrative that unravels one of our favourite sitcom couples and explores the darker side of Meant to Be. This is truly The One that you didn’t see coming.

You can find out more about the show by clicking here.

Spinning Plates Co. launches | August, 2018

Jess, alongside partner James Cerche, have launched their new theatre collective, Spinning Plates Co.

Their first production will be Jess’s solo show, Ross & Rachel, performing at Melbourne Fringe Festival later this year.

You can follow along on their journey at www.spinningplatesco.com.

Scratch Night #1 | Howard Fine Acting Studio | March, 2018

On March 5th, Jess hosted the Howard Fine Acting Studio's first Scratch Night, providing local artists with the chance to create their own monologue from scratch and perform it on the very same night. As well as hosting this event, Jess couldn't resist jumping in and participating herself. The theme of the night was "That felt weird". Jess will continue to host more Scratch Nights at the Studio throughout the year as part of her role as a member on the Board of Trustees.

You can read more about the Trust and the Studio here.

I am Julius | Studio Sonder Productions | February, 2018

In February, 2018, in association with Studio Sonder, Jess wrote, associate produced, and starred in the short film I am Julius, directed by Tasha Sanders, co-starring Sarah Hallam and Shane Savage, and shot by cinematographer Stephen Hadley. Keep an eye out for it appearing soon!

The Doctor Blake Mysteries | ABC | November, 2017

In November, 2017, Jess was a guest start on last episode ever of The Doctor Blake Mysteries, which aired on the ABC. Jess played Amy Kingham, the girlfriend of one of the police officers, and got herself into all kinds of trouble (in character, of course).

You can view all of her scenes from the episode here.

The Sun & the Moon | October, 2017

In October, 2017, Jess wrote and starred in the short film The Sun & the Moon, shot entirely on iPhones, for the Bizbook's Bizmingle Short Film Competition. The film explores themes of yearning, loss, and storytelling, and also stars Anthea Greco and James Cerche.

You can watch the film here.

For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn | October, 2017

In October, 2017, Jess starred with James Cerche in the short film For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn, created by Kerry Glennon. The film was for a one-minute film competition, and is based on the short story of the same name by Ernest Hemingway.

You can watch the film here.

Lady & the Traffic Lamp | VCA | September, 2017

In September, Jess starred in a very unique VCA student film, Lady & the Traffic Lamp. With no dialogue allowed, the story is conveyed entirely through the performance, cinematography and music.

You can watch the film here.

Ménage | Lucy Tafler Presents | September, 2016

In 2016, Jess performed in the wildly successful one-woman show, Ménage, created by Ryan Good, at Melbourne Fringe Festival. It was nominated for Best Performance Award. Brought over from a well-received season at Edinburgh Fringe, Jess joined one of the original UK performers in sharing the workload of this demanding twenty-five minute, one-woman piece, which Jess performed three times a night for the entirety of the Melbourne Fringe season. With an audience of only two per show, this intimate piece was created entirely  from interviews with real sex workers from the UK and Australia.

Read more about it here.