Calling all current and future performance makers – this is your time to shine

Posted on 7 October, 2024

Are you a songwriter, comedian, choreographer, theatre-maker, or performing artist looking to take the stage but don’t know where to start?

Or maybe you have a big idea and you’re finally ready to share it with the world.

Either way, in exciting news, the Canberra Theatre Centre has announced that expressions of interest are now open for their 2025 New Works program – and they want to hear from you.

Entering its fifth year, the New Works program aims to support artists and producers with a close connection to Canberra in the commissioning, creative development, and presentation of innovative live performances.

Recognising, supporting, and amplifying the bold and compelling artistic voices emerging from Canberra, the program seeks to nurture and amplify these talents, ensuring that our local creatives continue to be respected contributors to the national cultural conversation through mentorship and collaborative opportunities.

Inviting local performance makers from the ACT region (or those with strong ties to Canberra), to submit Expressions of Interest before Monday 28 October, Canberra Theatre Centre Director Alex Budd says the program embodies their commitment to fostering Canberra’s vibrant artistic community.

“We believe in amplifying the unique voices in our live performance industry and providing them with the resources they need to innovate and collaborate,” he says.

“By connecting our artists with a national network, we’re not only supporting individual creativity but also enriching the cultural landscape of our city and beyond. We invite all eligible artists to submit their ideas and be part of this exciting journey.”

Wondering what they’re looking for? Think exciting, timely, and compelling ideas that are ready for studio time beyond the seeding and research stage, with the potential for inclusion in future Canberra Theatre Centre programming. Here’s what you need to know:

New Ideas Lab

Perfect for those who have the beginnings of a new idea that they’d like to explore in collaboration with other artists, producers, and mentors, the New Ideas Lab is open to four artists.

Allowing them to dig deep into a new idea in multiple ways over five days, preparing to pitch the idea and take it to the next stage under mentorship from industry experts, the Lab will allow each artist to explore their idea in a collaborative context, working to develop the artistic concept and the planning for the emerging work.

Taking place between Monday 19 and Friday 23 May 2025, sessions will be led by producers, dramaturgs, production managers, performers, marketing experts, and other artists chosen to suit the cohort.

Participating artists are required to be present for the whole week and will be paid a fee of $1,250.

Creative Development

With two Creative Development opportunities available in 2025, this is a rare chance for creatives with exciting, timely, and compelling ideas that are ready for studio time beyond the seeding and research stage.

These developments have the potential for inclusion in future Canberra Theatre Centre programming, and there is a total project budget of up to $10,000 per development to cover a range of possible project expenses including artist fees, mentor fees, technical costs, documentation, and other project expenses. But that’s not all.

Artists will also have in-kind access to the Courtyard Studio for the period of creative development and it will conclude in a development showing for an invited audience in a format suitable to the project.

Ready to talk about your idea? Attend the online information session on Monday 14 October at 5.30 pm to learn more – or submit your expression of interest now.

Feature image: Andrew Sikorski.