Comedy writer, improviser, producer & director from Melbourne, Australia.
Hi there! I’m Hayley. I’m a creative slashie, primarily slashin’ in the comedy department.
I’m super passionate about all things comedy – making it, directing it, teaching it, producing it, and most importantly, watching it.
What have I been up to recently?
Call An Adult: A Pretty Little Liars Recap Podcast
Since 2021, Ashley Apap and I have been making our comedy podcast, Call An Adult: A Pretty Little Liars Recap Podcast. Call An Adult has amassed a cult following, promotions and giveaways with Warner Bros, and 100,000+ downloads so far.
City of Melbourne 2023 Annual Arts Grant Recipient
I’m developing a scripted comedy podcast with Millie Holten and The City of Melbourne after receiving a 2023 Annual Arts Grant.
Notetaker & Contributor – Netflix Pilot Development Writers Room
Earlier this year, I was fortunate to work as a notetaker and contributor in a writers room for a Netflix Australia TV pilot.
Shore It’s Love – comedy series in development
My creative partner Jayden Masciulli and I produced a proof of concept/sizzle reel for our comedy series, Shore It’s Love. It has over 14,000+ views across social media, generating lots of excitement for the project.
Script Editor, The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)
I was hired as a Script Editor for a project by Chido Mwaturura and DFFH to educate audiences on the correct usage of Rapid Antigen Tests.
And before all that…
Since 2013, I’ve been directing and producing shows at Melbourne International Comedy Festival & Melbourne Fringe, as well as teaching and performing at The Improv Conspiracy. When I’m not on stage, I’ve been developing projects for screen and stage.
Sometimes, I’m performing as my alter ego Cindy Salmon. Whether it’s in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (where I was a 2018 Moosehead Award Recipient for my show EMPOWERFUL and landed in Time Out’s Top 10 Shows of the Festival), making live-action and animated sketches for The Slot on Foxtel, or just hosting my favourite variety shows around Melbourne – Cindy’s always bubbling away, high-kicking the patriarchy into yesteryear.
Some reviews for my performances!
★★★★ ‘Tantau explores how even our most enthusiastic role models sometimes need help…hilariously amazing’
— Time Out Melbourne 2018
‘Super queer, super feminist musical…fabulously smart, sharply astute [and] gorgeously hilarious’'
— Time Out Melbourne 2019
‘A masterclass in character comedy. For a laugh out loud experience…go see this show’
— Squirrel Comedy 2018
‘A hilarious creation from the fearless Hayley Tantau. It’s hard not to be won over by Cindy…ingenious’
— Beat Magazine
★★★★ ‘A high-energy, wondrously eccentric cabaret…impressively talented’ & ‘Perfection…a hilarious late night show’
— The Funny Tonne
‘Hilariously ludicrous…the cast are destined for success’
— Theatre Travels
‘Fantastic…manages to embrace and subvert many of the contradictions in contemporary feminism’
— The Age
‘One of the best examples of a high status character comedy done to perfection, it is a highlight of Melbourne Fringe’
— Elyce Phillips, Squirrel Comedy 2017
‘Hayley Tantau’s Cindy Salmon is one of the most powerful high status creations on the Australian stage right now. A high status character that can be hilariously satirical, wildly inspiring, teetering on the monstrous and yet somehow sympathetic is rare. Hayley pulls it off...we’ll be keeping an eye on Hayley Tantau’
— Lisa Clark, Squirrel Comedy
Some testimonials for my teaching work!
‘Hayley is one of the best teachers I have had. I will remember her words of encouragement long after I have completed the course, and I know I can always come back to her for guidance. She is the ultimate balance between guiding you to create your best work on stage and letting you find the fun by yourself’
— Aisling M, student of The Improv Conspiracy 2017
‘Hayley is the most incredibly supportive voice when it comes to creating. I feel so lucky to have had her as a teacher, guiding my comedic voice in the desired direction’
— Student, Improv Conspiracy Writers Room 2021
‘I loved How Hayley taught and felt so so encouraged by her. She created such an amazing vibe’
— Student, Improv Conspiracy Level 4 Improv 2021
‘Hayley is such a lovely and supportive teacher who really encourages everyone and is really good at identifying the strong elements of everyone's sketches…while still encouraging people to make their own creative choices’
— Student, Improv Conspiracy Writers Room 2021
‘Hayley was seriously so incredible! She made every class so much fun. She always had such awesome energy , was extremely encouraging and supportive. She created an amazing class environment’
— Student, Improv Conspiracy Level 4 Improv 2021