Sarah Jane Justice

Pushcart Prize Nomination, 2022 (for 'Chlorine', published in Synkroniciti)
Finalist, Shallow Waters August Flash Fiction Contest, 2021 (for 'The Children')

Winner, Synkroniciti Short Story Contest, 2021 (for 'Chlorine')

Honourable Mention, 2020 Black Fox Writing Contest (for 'Regret')

SA State Finalist, Australian Poetry Slam, 2020

Winner, Northern Fringes Poetry Slam, 2020

Longlisted, Sydney Hammond Memorial Prize, 2019 (for 'Perfect Match')

Shortlisted, Furious Fiction, June 2019
Finalist, Fleurieu Fringe Poetry Slam, 2019
Winner, Salisbury Fringe Poetry Slam, 2019
SA State Champion, Australian Poetry Slam, 2018
Finalist, SA Summer Slam, 2018
Winner, Goolwa Poetry Cup, 2017
Finalist, SA Summer Slam, 2017
People’s Choice, Goolwa Poetry Cup, 2016

National Top 30, Listen Up Australia Songwriting Competition, 2016 (for 'Illuminate')

Live Performance Experience

ADELAIDE WRITERS WEEK, 2022

Hosted and acted as MC for ‘Hear Me Roar’, a showcase of Australia’s best slam and performance poetry.

OFFICIAL MC, SPOKEN WORD SA, 2021 - PRESENT

Taking the microphone to host all competitions and other assorted events run under the Spoken Word SA banner.

RED FACES ADELAIDE, 2020
Volunteer role for a charity gala that raised $42,000 for mental health charities. As a special guest judge, this involved providing commentary and feedback on acts throughout the night, as well as performing a guest spot of original work.

ADELAIDE WRITERS WEEK, 2019 & 2021
Presented as a featured artist in ‘Hear Me Roar’, a showcase of Australia’s best slam and performance poetry.

TENX9 ADELAIDE, 2019 - PRESENT
Numerous appearances as a presenter in the Adelaide installment of an international true storytelling project.

APS NATIONAL FINAL, 2018
Competed at the Sydney Opera House as a national finalist at the Australian Poetry Slam, Australia’s highest level of competition in the field of performance poetry.

SPOKEN WORD FEATURE ARTIST, 2017 - PRESENT
Regularly performs original work at variety nights, poetry showcases, and arts festivals.

‘SIGH-FI’, ADELAIDE FRINGE FESTIVAL, 2016
Performed an original, one-woman cabaret show as part of the Adelaide Fringe. ‘Sigh-Fi’ was a musical storytelling venture in a science fiction setting, praised for its content and conceptual originality.

SOLO SINGER-SONGWRITER, 2014 - 2017

Regular performances at venues around South Australia, playing under the pseudonym 'The Lonely Kids'. Primarily original music with some covers on voice and piano.

TOURING MUSICIAN, 2006 - 2008
Saxophone player in an established ska band, touring across Australia and New Zealand. This role also involved studio recording and promotional duties.

Professional Arts Projects

SPOKEN WORD WORKSHOPS, 2021 - PRESENT

Creating, presenting, and organising professional workshops that teach the art of spoken word poetry. Catering to schools, communities, and specialised events.

SPOKEN WORD SA, 2021 - PRESENT

Part of the management team for South Australian's primary spoken word organisation. This role includes managing events, acting as MC, and negotiating between artists and organisers. Spoken Word SA runs the South Australian leg of the Australian Poetry Slam, as well as numerous other projects around the state.

CRACKS IN OUR SHADOWS, 2020
Acting as curator, producer, organizer, and poetry contributor for this mixed-media exhibition. This work involves both artistic contributions and professional organisation, in working with venues, arranging printing, planning launch details, and developing the project for touring.

SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS, 2019 - PRESENT
Visiting secondary schools around South Australia to present motivational talks and run poetry workshops for students.

POET IN RESIDENCE, 2017
Poetry residency at the Adelaide City Library. This position involved talking to library visitors, running workshops, and presenting a concluding performance.

FREELANCE JOURNALISM, 2006 – PRESENT
Taking on an assortment of projects after studying a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at the University of Newcastle. This includes acting as official media for the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2019, conducting in-depth interviews, writing press releases, and pitching articles to media outlets.

Education

BACHELOR OF COMMUNICATIONS (JOURNALISM)
Tertiary level study at the University of Newcastle, focusing on interview skills, professional writing and editing, broadcasting, and media involvement.

FORMAL MUSICAL TRAINING
Classical education in piano, voice, and tenor saxophone. Long-term studies in reading music, performing to crowds, and improvisation.

THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE STUDIES
Extensive training in all areas of performing arts, including musical theatre, improvisation, classical acting, and playwright development.

CV: CV