Petra grew up immersed in local theatre in Bath then left to study drama in London. After graduating she created the “Rough and Ready” Theatre company which toured venues around London, Bath and also the Edinburgh Festival. Following this Petra sang in many cabaret venues and appeared in the British premiere of “Nine” at The Royal Festival Hall with Jonathan Pryce and also sang on the recording. In-between singing gigs, Petra started to work within the Really Useful Group on various shows in the West End, including “Aspects of Love,” and “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat;” working on the production of “Joseph” lasted much longer than planned and resulted in a UK tour.
Following “Joseph”, Petra worked within James Grant Management Group and JGM Talent – assisting clients and casting photographic, extra and walk-on artists for leading TV productions.
On moving to Devon opportunities arose to work with The New Theatre Company undertaking directing and acting courses and whilst there Petra trained as a teacher and ran a drama department at a local residential school for children with little or no sight producing full scale musicals such as “Bugsy Malone,” “Treasure Island” and “Oliver.” The circle was completed five years ago with a return to Bath – in a short time Petra has produced, performed and directed for the award winning Encore Northenders Theatre Company in Batheaston and also appeared as Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd at the Theatre Royal Bath and as Peppermint Patty in “Snoopy” at The Rondo Theatre both productions winning NODA awards for Best Musical.
Petra also wrote and directed “Barry Hotter and the Half Baked Panto” for the Merrimen Theatre Youth Company in 2011 and in 2012 directed “The Jungle Book.”
Currently working as a Freelance Director and Drama Tutor, Petra is also Production Director for Music is Life Productions Ltd. Petra has produced and directed the double award winning “The Decent Rogues” www.thedecentrogues.com and reviews theatre for the online publication Guide2Bath, RemoteGoat and Whatsonstage.com.
2013 will see a host of new projects including the launch of Magic Penny Productions – celebrating community events through bespoke productions. The first of these will be the centenary celebrations at Peasedown St John Primary School, working with generations across the community to capture and enjoy past memories of elderly pupils and residents.
Having adapted the classic Peter Pan for Merriman Youth Theatre to be seen in April 2013, Petra will also direct a new musical “Pencoweth” for Music is Life Productions (september 2013) and RENT! for BODS (November 2013)
Petra was made NODA rep for South West (region 10) and has recently started tutoring Drama, for Bath Dance College.