Julie O’Brien has worked extensively in theatre, film, and television for over 40 years.
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Performer. Director. Voice.
Julie O’Brien is an accomplished performer, director, and presenter whose extensive career spans theatre, television, commercial work, cabaret, and corporate media. Renowned for her dynamic vocal range, commanding stage presence, and instinctive comic and dramatic ability, Julie has established herself as a respected and recognisable figure across the performing arts in New Zealand, Australia, and beyond.
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On stage, Julie has portrayed numerous leading roles, including Donna in Mamma Mia! Margaret White in Carrie: The Musical, Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers, Velma von Tussle in Hairspray, and Mari Hoff in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. International credits include Reno in Anything Goes, Brenda/understudy Felicia in The Witches of Eastwick, and Rosie Greenwich in Leader of the Pack.
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Julie’s professional experience includes collaborations with leading production companies such as Cameron Mackintosh Ltd, Stetson Productions, and New Theatricals. Her career has taken her to performance venues across New Zealand, Australia, London, and New York, showcasing her adaptability across diverse musical and theatrical genres.
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Her cabaret repertoire includes acclaimed original works such as Julie O’Brien Is… Home, In Her 40th Year, The Dating Game, and Julie and... Friends, all celebrated for their engaging storytelling and wit.
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On screen, Julie’s credits include roles in Mistress Mercy, Reservoir Hill, Until Proven Innocent, Hook, Line & Sinker, and The Killian Curse. She is also well known for her appearances in national commercial campaigns in both New Zealand and Australia, and for her extensive work as a corporate presenter and trainer.
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As a director, Julie has helmed successful productions including Mamma Mia!, High School Musical, Godspell, Oklahoma!, Nunsense, Anything Goes, The Full Monty, and The Boyfriend. Her productions are recognised for their strong character work, energy, and audience connection.
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Trained in the Estill Voice Method and an accomplished voice-over artist, Julie continues to bring professionalism, creativity, and passion to every facet of her work in the performing arts.
Shows and Recent Projects
Julie O'Brien takes us right into Donna's world; she makes us laugh, feel her frustrations, her hurt and her deep love for her daughter. It is a massive role to traverse, both vocally and emotionally, and Julie certainly pulls out every stop on opening night, especially in the one the audience waits for ‘The Winner Takes All'.
MAMMA MIA - (Jo Hodgson, Theatreview)
Not so humorous is the role of Margaret White, Carrie's religiously tormented and tormenting mother, artfully and heartfully played and sung by Julie O'Brien.
CARRIE THE MUSICAL - (Pepe Becker, Theatreview)
…yet, for all its loud and high-octane performances, there are some great moments played out in a softer tone, particularly from O'Brien and Street as mother and daughter, their duets perfectly pitched and sung with genuine emotions and poignancy.
CARRIE THE MUSICAL - (Ewen Coleman, Theatreview)
Julie O'Brien, who delivers a redoubtable housekeeper in Mrs McGee, doubles as an undercover journalist from The Women's Monthly, desperate for the scoop that will prevent her losing her job. This thread provokes appropriate horror at a woman even having such a (gasp) job.
DOWNTON ADLIB - (John Smythe, Theatreview)
Julie O'Brien captures the audience's attention, bringing an immediate energy to her scenes and establishing her differing characters with banter and self depreciation.
...O'Brien's physicality and accents bring colour and spectacle to her exchanges.
DOWNTON ADLIB - (Adam Dodd, Theatreview)
Julie O'Brien, a veteran on this stage, plays the self absorbed and single minded Velma with huge strength of character and voice.
HAIRSPRAY - (Jo Hodgson, Theatreview)