JEAN TONG
​
​Writer/Director

Jean Tong is a Melbourne-based writer, dramaturg and director.   They are an Associate Artist at Melbourne Theatre Company, will be directing the world premiere of Benjamin Law’s adaptation of DYING: A MEMOIR for the company’s 2025 season, and is under commission to write a new play as a NEXT STAGE Playwriting Fellow.

Jean’s new musical FLAT EARTHERS: THE MUSICAL (with Lou Wall and James Gales) premiered at Griffin Theatre Company and Hayes Theatre Co in 2024 to critical acclaim.  They have a film in development with Photoplay which is a screen adaptation of a novel, and have developed their original slate with SBS. This year, Jean was selected by Australians in Film and Screen Australia to take part in their Talent Gateway program.

Jean wrote episode 3 on HEART BREAK HIGH Season 2 for Netflix produced by Fremantle; episode 2 of SAFE HOME for SBS produced by Kindling Pictures; episode “MASC UP” of EROTIC STORIES for SBS and produced by Lingo Pictures; two episodes for 100% WOLF S2 for Flying Bark/ABC; and two episodes of the online series VAG OF HONOUR.  They have worked in numerous writers’ rooms, and as the script co-ordinator for NEW GOLD MOUNTAIN with Goalpost Pictures and SBS.  

Their play HUNGRY GHOSTS premiered at Melbourne Theatre Company in 2018.  Their musical ROMEO IS NOT THE ONLY FRUIT (which they also directed) after a smash hit premiere was remounted at Malthouse for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and then toured to Brisbane Festival and regionally.  ROMEO IS NOT THE ONLY FRUIT was nominated for both Best Writing and Best Ensemble at the 2019 Green Room Awards. 

As a stage director, Jean’s work also includes the critically acclaimed season of CAUGHT by Christopher Chen at Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre as well as the premiere of new Australian work OH NO! SATAN STOLE MY PINEAL GLAND! by Kirby Medway for Melbourne Fringe Festival.  

Jean was previously selected for Film Vic’s Plot Twist program and by Screen Australia for their Developing the Developer program.  In 2020, Jean was supported by Film Vic to undertake a 10-week industry placement on NEW GOLD MOUNTAIN with SBS and Goalpost Pictures. Jean was the Development Assistant at Goalpost Pictures from 2019 to 2021.

Jean has also been the Philip Parson’s Writing Fellow at Belvoir Theatre, where they wrote CHASING ELEVATION. They have also received the Robert Macdonald Professional Development Award (selected by Melbourne Theatre Company), the Murray Sutherland Award and the University of Melbourne Global Scholar’s Award.