 Rabe turned her hand to theatre directing in 2009, and has directed several high-profile plays for Australian theatre companies, including the Australian premiere of "In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)", and "Elling" for the Melbourne Theatre Company.Rabe was nominated for a Green Room Award for best direction on both occasions.In 2012 Rabe was invited to be a member of the guest triumvirate who programmed the Melbourne Theatre Company season for that year.