Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco, in a version by Zinnie Harris, directed by Cass Fumi (fortyfivedownstairs, 2024) — Producer & Performer
“★★★★★…the cast flourish… Each performance is unique and hilarious” - Theatre Matters
“★★★★…full of glorious visual comedy and surreal surprises”— The Age
“★★★★…a rampaging success…Spinning Plate Co has done it again” — Arts Hub
“★★★★…pure comic pandemonium…an experience absolutely worth the ride” — Limelight
“Spinning Plates Co. demonstrate exceptional inventiveness in this quirky and highly stylised production…both hilarious and disturbing” — Stage Whispers
“This play about a town getting overrun by angry rhinos is surprisingly relevant” — The Age, 2024. Image by Simon Schluter
“Cerche and Stanley are partners in life as well as art, and they created Spinning Plates to make the kind of pieces they wanted to appear in. That enthusiasm is infectious” — featured in The Age 2024, by Will Cox
The Crocodile by Tom Basden, directed Cassandra Fumi (fortyfivedownstairs2023) — Co-Producer & Performer
Winner of Green Room Awards for Best Direction, Best Set & Costume Design, and Best Performer
“Jessica Stanley brings a diva-like presence to the stage…She perfectly portrays the scatty, indecisive Anya... ★★★★½” - Theatre Matters
“Stanley’s hilarious delivery channels Jenny Slate as well as Marie Antoinette, and it works…★★★★½" - Arts Hub
“The actors are hilarious, and extremely skilled…★★★★½" - The Age
“the cast never puts a foot wrong…Stanley gives us an Anya as an airhead portrayed with the most stately, dignified, asinine ludicrousness” - Stage Whispers
“How one man’s theatrical flop became a designer’s inspiration” — Featured in The Age, 2023
Featured in The Age by Nadia Bailey, 2023.
Shut Up I’m a Vampire by Jessica Stanley, directed by Bronte Charlotte (The Butterfly Club, 2022) — Writer, Producer & Performer
Green Room Award Nomination for Best Sound Design & Composition by James Cerche
“★★★★…Shut Up I’m a Vampire is an intelligent and powerful show by a remarkable artist. Stanley’s script is intelligent and emotive and she performs the hour-long monologue with great artistic skill. The prose is highly descriptive and moving. She succeeds bringing the audience along in every excruciating detail. At times it is reminiscent of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character in Fleabag in the ways she attempts to mask her trauma with avoidance and dry humour.” - ArtsHub
“Stanley is a great storyteller, and her use of highly descriptive language consistently paints vivid pictures…Stanley has taken a heavy topic and moulded it in a way that almost doesn't take itself too seriously while displaying tremendous care and compassion as to how she presents it.” - My Melbourne Arts
JSMR by Jessica Stanley, directed by Sarah Clarke (Trades Hall, 2022) — Writer, Producer & Performer
“Stanley’s affection for entertainment is evident throughout ‘JSMR’. She relishes in her ability to make audiences smile and chortle. However, it is Stanley’s appreciation for the art form of ASMR that provides her performance so much heart. Even when only speaking in whispers, Stanley’s warm performance speaks volumes…Stanley will whisper away your worries for 45 minutes, and by the end of the show, you’ll be singing her praises. Loudly.” - Theatre Haus
“The whole experience is intimate and entirely wholesome. Stanley brings a sense of ease to the room full of people who don’t know what to expect. She promises a weird time, but a nice time - both of which are promises she delivers on…I was being taken wide-eyed on the ride of my life. With an impressively high production value…“JSMR" is a visceral experience that is likely to be the most engaging night at the theatre you’ve had in a while.” - Theatre Travels
“Stanley’s silky-smooth voice translate crystal clear into the personal headphones…seamlessly combines commentary and satire within her scenes” - Australian Stage
“Through dark comedic wit and magnetic naturalism Jessica Stanley lures the audience into her world” - Weekend Notes
For the full page of press for JSMR 2022, please click here.
JSMR: an ASMR & Storytelling Experience by Jessica Stanley (Digital, 2021) — Writer, Producer & Performer
“Her strength as a performer comes from her raw and sensitive nature, making JSMR such a beautifully crafted production and establishes her as an artist to watch…★★★★½” - Mojo News
“Stanley is a flawless performer and writer, creating a work that is equally funny as it is confronting and thought provoking...a highly recommended and important work” - Australian Arts Review
“What a beautiful, honest, soothing experience…Stunning. Just stunning.” - Chats with Creatives
“In the face of adversity, this artist thrives. Jessica has created a digital, sensorial nest that not only envelops you whole but unveils her vulnerability and show stopping versatility. She pushes all the parts of you that make you feel, then tucks you in. Her creative generosity is pioneering and unique” - The Bit Podcast
“imaginative and unique” - My Melbourne Arts
“amazingly talented” - Weekend Notes
“compelling” - Kate Herbert
“For Stanley, exposing and exploring her vulnerabilities to strangers, while confronting, is an experience she won't shy away from” — My Melbourne Arts Interview
“The amazingly talented Jessica Stanley is back performing online at the Melbourne Fringe with her new work JSMR… It's a performance and an experience set to make your skin crawl or tingle.” - Weekend Notes
Listen to Jess talking about the show with Michelle Perera on 3mdr’s radio show, Community.
Quite Drunk, Very Jesus-y by Grace De Morgan, directed by Peter Blackburn (Trades Hall, 2019) — Performer
“Stanley's portrayal of Beth never disappoints…She can can burst into spontaneous prayer on request and could possibly lead a cult.” – Weekend Notes
“Stanley is particularly brilliant as she skulks around the stage, her eyes taking up most of it.” – Australian Stage
“Stanley gets a chance to display manic, motor-mouth energy… [she] gets a lot of comedy out of Beth’s self-abnegation and non sequiturs…” – Stage Whispers
“Stanley as Beth, host of the party, is vibrant…” – Melbourne Observer
You Are The Blood by Ashley Rose Wellman, directed by Peter Blackburn (Meat Market, 2019) — Performer & Co-Producer
“Stanley paints a captivating Shelby, one who draws the audience through the story with laughter, fear and tears. Cerche and Stanley play well off each other, their lighter moments contrasting beautifully with their conflicts” - Theatre Travels
“director Peter Blackburn elicits natural performances from his cast. The bond between Shelby and Ben is convincing brother-sister stuff” - Stage Whispers
Ross & Rachel by James Fritz, directed by Faran Martin (Theatre Works, 2018) — Performer & Co-Producer
“Stanley convincingly flits between reality and sitcom, taking the star couple far from the television set.”- The Age
“Stanley flawlessly portrays each character”- BCause Arts
“Stanley's performance is magnificent as she navigates the cross narratives and embodies the different identities…This is no mean feat for a performer and Jessica Stanley continually amazes” - Weekend Notes
“Kudos to Stanley. Ross & Rachel is a marathon…not for one single second did I feel [Stanley] was not in control…she never let us leave the story.” - What Did She Think?
“powerhouse actress, Jessica Stanley… grabs this one-person show by the bull horn and rides the emotional rollercoaster of two very different characters like a seasoned performer.” - BCause Arts
“Jessica Stanley gives a committed performance with a demanding script that calls for sudden emotional and tonal changes” – My Melbourne Arts
“Writer James Fritz is clearly accomplished, but he sets his female actor – in this production the equally accomplished Jessica Stanley…Great performance from Jessica…If I had more time I would return. It deserves a second look.” – Peter Green, 3mbs
“held together and reliant on the skills and strength of the actress performing the show, Jessica Stanley…She is to be applauded on the slickness of her transitions and subtle nuances that indicated her many characters. Her commitment to hours of rehearsal and dedication to her portrayals are evident.” - Dana Hamilton, SYN
Interview with My Melbourne Arts.
Interview with Howard Fine Acting Studio.
Strata, Inc. by Laura Lethlean & Faran Martin, directed by Faran Martin (The Burrow, 2018) — Performer
“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.” - Australian Stage
“One of my 10 best productions of 2018…homegrown writing for the company, clever plotting, good casting and dedicated creativity.” - Peter Green, 3MBS
Ménage, written and directed by Ryan Good (Grigons & Orr, 2016) — Performer
“Sex worker's secrets make for gripping theatre... ★★★★” – The Age
“hypnotic…Ménageis a beautifully intimate and touching experience”- BCause Arts