Testimonials

---

AFI multi-award-winning actress and Order of Australia recipient

"I have known Peter Blackburn for a number of years - we first met through 16th Street when I was a participant in the first Larry Moss Masterclass in Australia.

Peter is the kind of director our industry needs - unfailingly enthusiastic and supportive, incredibly knowledgable with a great eye and terrific instincts, but above all, he is kind and humble.

He is empathetic to his team and to the audience, and he fully understands that all of us in this business have a duty to do work that connects people and reminds us that we are not alone in this hostile world, which is, after all, the function of the arts."

Actress (Glee, Escape from Pretoria)

"Working with Peter both as a coach and director has been liberating. He creates a safe and collaborative environment where the text and artist merge to create work that is authentic. 

Through his direction in our show 'The Trial of Dorian Gray', my work and character creation became fearless. He helped me navigate vulnerable waters to embrace the level of sexual prowess and femininity required for my character, whilst skillfully analyzing the script to reveal the many layers of subtext and truths of the characters. 

Peter's passion for actors and the work is evident with his generosity, warmth and sensitivity."

Actor (Underbelly, Wentworth)

"Peter’s unique approach is all about the actor and their needs. His methods are exploratory, nuanced and illuminating. His empathetic and collaborative rehearsal room fosters a feeling of joy, safety and support. 

Peter embraces challenging subject matter, helping to guide the actor towards a performance that is free, spontaneous and connected. His experience and breadth of knowledge is matched only by his passion for inspiring the performer."

Actress (Shameless, Love, The Last Anniversary)

"Peter Blackburn is a brilliant, world-class director and acting coach, and the world is in the process of discovering it. Deeply intuitive, insightful, empathic, visionary, with an incredible knowledge of the craft- collaborating with Peter has been an immense

joy.

My first experience with Peter as director was in the Australian play, Ruben Guthrie, for the Australian Theatre Company, Los Angeles in 2016. Since then Peter has directed me in three more productions, the most recent being my solo play DIVA,

which received critical and audience acclaim at the Edinburgh International Festival in August 2025.

In the development and production of DIVA, I was fortunate to work closely with Peter in his three major professional skills, as dramaturg, acting coach, and director. His incisive intelligence, creativity, vision, empathy, brilliant processes and passion for the art took my script and my performance to increasing levels of creative depth.

Peter’s incredibly powerful character analysis processes were foundational in developing the 13 very different characters I needed to inhabit in the play. I would work with Peter again in a heartbeat, again and again, and look forward to our ongoing collaboration on DIVA as the play continues its international journey."

Actress (Better Man, Glitch, Gold Diggers)

"Peter Blackburn is a force of creativity like you have never experienced. It's hard to describe the profound impact of his training and directing methods, and I will give it a go, however the foremost advice I would give any actor is; if you can work with him, work with him. 

Peter has such great respect for actors' autonomy and with one word will lead you to make incredible, brave and sometimes confronting choices that fuel a deep understanding of your character, your text and yourself."

Playwright

"As a director Peter Blackburn has a deep creative curiosity, a willingness to explore bold new territory informed by an extensive knowledge of his craft. 

He works without rigidity, letting the play evolve into whatever it needs to be while also serving the vision of the writer and ensuring his signature layered character work is always in evidence. 

Peter manages to be highly versatile while crafting productions that can never be mistaken for the work of another director. His honesty, kindness, and passion for telling good stories make him one of my favourite people to collaborate with; I am never less than stunned by the depths Peter manages to mine in the scripts I give him. 

From a writer’s perspective, he is my favourite type of director; the kind who can make you look much smarter than you are."

Producer, Director, Acting Teacher

"During rehearsals of 'Holding The Man', there was a two-week period of time when our director, Larry Moss, had to be away. He left, entrusting the work to Peter who helmed the production capably in his absence. 

Under Peter’s direction the cast honed what was already set in place by Mr. Moss, intricately exploring more deeply each character’s truths. 

He was professional, precise, diligent, and methodical in his approach, but was also compassionate and knew when certain scenes required more time and understanding."

Writer, Producer, Actress (The Bill, Coronation Street)

"Peter is a wonderful scene coach and director and a very good human.  And he has an encyclopedic knowledge of film (it truly is amazing).  

Having worked with him in my roles as an actor, writer, producer and through interviewing him on my web series, tête-à-tête, I know he is a brilliant and caring teacher.  

If you are looking for someone to work with, whether you are experienced or a beginner, you couldn’t do better."

Actress & Theatremaker

"I’ve gone through much of my career (and life!) being called ‘too sensitive’. But I remember a particular session with Peter, where he said to me: ‘your empathy isn't a weakness, it's a superpower,’ and I have carried this with me every day since.

Because I now know that empathy is the most crucial part of what we do as actors. Being open to understanding other people and myself has made me a better performer."

Actor and Filmmaker

"I have worked with, studied with and trained with Peter over a 10 year period. His knowledge of the craft of acting, and openness to working with the actor in front of him, is a real strength to the way that he teaches. 

When working with or watching Peter work, you can see that he has a history as a teacher and theatre director. He cares deeply for what he is teaching, and works diligently to arm the actor with a workable skillset. 

I've been fortunate to work with Peter on two productions, and often seek coaching when preparing for upcoming roles and projects."