Sarah McNally is a Brisbane-based actor, writer, director, producer, and puppeteer — a creative whose reach across the industry keeps widening by the year.
She holds a Bachelor of Acting from The Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, graduating in 2020. After graduating, Sarah co-created Apt.13 Productions and delivered several independent theatre productions across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Her most notable work includes Comedy of Errors (2021), which won the Queensland Theatre Emerging Theatre Makers Anywhere Award as part of They Anywhere Theatre Festival.
On stage
In production
In 2024, Sarah worked with Mashed Theatre and Films in their Schools Education Program, touring nine live theatre productions to high schools across Australia. She was invited back for a second year in 2025, taking on the role of Touring Manager. In early 2026, Sarah returned as a Guest Director for their Touring Team and contributed across multiple productions during their season.
2026 has been an especially busy year.
Sarah began the year with Tammy Speed in Major Damage (feature). She was cast as Joan McGroan in Zebramez's production of The Agent (Anywhere Theatre Festival). In July, she was cast as Adriana in Shepherd Purses' production of Comedy of Errors (Tyalgum, NSW), reprising the role for the third time.
At the Major Damage premiere
Sarah also launched her own film and theatre production company, SMAX Entertainment. The team is currently in post-production for her first short film, Weed Killer, which she wrote, directed, and starred in. She also featured in Major Damage (2026), where she played the role of Tammy Speed, a computer tech genius.
On set for Weed Killer
This year, Sarah expanded her puppeteering work with Camp Quality, performing in their Cancer Education Program and as roving puppets at events and the Children's Hospital. She is also currently involved in Our Dog Comet, a new Australian work written by Alicia Lorie, presented as part of the Backbone Festival in October.
Alongside her performance and production work, Sarah teaches private acting and previously worked with Griffith University as an Acting Instructor in their Mosaic program.
Sarah McNally
Looking ahead, Sarah has upcoming productions with Zebramez Creative, reprising her role in The Agent, and appearing in their children's show based on an original Australian story, The Fart That Saved Christmas.
