Johanna Freundlich has studied directing at the Theatre Academy and at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She has also studied languages and literature at the University of Helsinki.
Freundlich has directed both plays and opera. Her 2011 production of Tony Kushner's play Angels in America for the Tampere Theatre Summer Festival received the Ester Prize from Vivica Bandler's Vivicas vänner – Vivica ystävät Foundation. Since 2024, she has been the artistic director of the Helsinki Festival.