Queenie van de Zandt is a towering force in the world of Australian musical theatre, cabaret, and comedy. She has the unique ability in all her work to make people feel deeply, and to awaken laughter, empathy and awareness in equal measure.
Her ability to seamlessly transition between various genres of entertainment sets her apart as a truly versatile performer, with a career spanning musical theatre, plays, cabaret, recording, film, and television, as well as acclaimed work as a comedian, writer, and arts educator.
Her career highlights include: on television: Upright II (Foxtel/BINGE), Safe Home (SBS), The Newsreader – Seasons 1, 2 & 3, Very Small Business and Da Kath & Kim Code (ABC), and Five Bedrooms (Network 10); in theatre: Face to Face (STC), Women of Troy (Malthouse/STC), Rabbit Hole, Absent Friends and Abigail’s Party (Ensemble Theatre), Secret Bridesmaid’s Business and After January (La Boite), and The Road to the She-Devil’s Salon (QTC); on film: Scooby Doo and Girl Clock; in musical theatre: Next to Normal (James Terry Collective), Thoroughly Modern Millie (TDP), Into the Woods (Victorian Opera), Follies (Storyboard Entertainment), Funny Girl (SSO), King Kong Live on Stage (Global Creatures), The Full Monty (IMG/David Atkins) and Oliver (Cameron Mackintosh/IMG); and in cabaret: Smoke & Mirrors (Sydney, Melbourne and Edinburgh Festivals), Moments in the Woods, BLUE: The Songs of Joni Mitchell, CABARET – In 12 Easy Steps, and The Best (and Worst) of Queenie van de Zandt (Adelaide Cabaret Festival).
As the driving force behind her boutique production house, Amazon Woman Enterprises, Queenie has released five albums (Amazon Woman, Queenie van de Zandt – Live in Cabaret, Other Stories…, Singing & Vocal Warm Up Exercises, and the forthcoming BLUE: The Songs of Joni Mitchell – Live); created award-winning theatre shows such as the multi-award-winning BLUE: The Songs of Joni Mitchell, which has toured throughout Australia and internationally; and built a cult following for her comedy alter ego, Jan van de Stool, including twice co-hosting the Helpmann Awards (Foxtel/ABC) and performing in the award-winning comedy show I GET THE MUSIC IN YOU, an evening with Jan van de Stool (MICF) and most recently performing her newest show Jan van de Stool in PARTING THE RED CURTAINS at the Brisbane and Sydney Comedy Festivals.
Queenie’s newest venture is the creation of Middle Raged, a bold, hilarious and empowering theatre show, co-written and co-produced with her best friend and longtime collaborator Tiffany Noack. Premiering in mid-2026 and touring nationally throughout 2026 and 2027, the work is built from hundreds of real stories shared by middle-aged women across Australia and features music by Missy Higgins, Gillian Cosgriff, Tim Minchin and Sia.
Beyond her performance work, for over two decades Queenie has been recognised as one of Australia’s most respected arts educators. In 2015, after holding teaching positions at NIDA, VCA and Federation University Ballarat, she co-founded The Australian Musical Theatre Academy (AMTA). AMTA brings together top-tier industry professionals to give gifted students the tools to live creative, passionate and fulfilling lives. Queenie has been called a “star-maker” in the media due to the high success rate of children and adults who, having learned her unique audition technique, go on to gain entry to acting schools and be cast in professional musicals. AMTA’s and Queenie’s former students have played lead roles in shows such as: Annie, Pretty Woman, Beetlejuice, The Lion King, Book of Mormon, Wicked, Titanique, Chicago, Beauty & the Beast, Frozen, Dear Evan Hansen, TINA: The Tina Turner Musical, Wicked, & Juliet, and RENT, to name just a few recent ones.
With a lifelong passion for social justice and equality, and as a true champion of the arts who joined Actors Equity, MEAA in her very first professional show in 1989, Queenie has become a powerful advocate for performing artists, sexual assault survivors and refugees throughout Australia’s arts and social justice landscape, amplifying voices that are too often unheard.
Drawing on this wealth of experience, Queenie infuses every venture with clear, engaging communication, boundless passion for the arts and humanity, an inviting warmth, and her brilliantly infectious humour.
With a staggering 22 award nominations and 9 well-deserved wins under her belt, Queenie van de Zandt's talent continues to be recognized with each new achievement. To stay connected with her latest projects and performances on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok follow @QueenievdZandt | @JanvandeStool | @AMTAcademy.