NEXT STAGE positions new Australian works as contenders on the national stage, through strategic investment in stories that reflect our community, are relevant to our times, challenge the boundaries of theatre making and fuel the cultural conversation.
We work towards this overarching aim by:
- Commissioning up to five new works annually, including a ‘work of scale’
- Making a dedicated commitment to the programming and production of at least three three NEXT STAGE works each year
- Affording dedicated resources to the development of NEXT STAGE works, enabling rigorous script progression with expert dramaturgs, directors and creatives
- Providing practical, culturally safe and bespoke pathways for First Nations and BIPOC writers, creatives and theatre makers
- Awarding an annual NEXT STAGE Playwriting Fellowship
- Collaborating with fellow theatre companies on play development and presentation
For more information on opportunities for writers through Next Stage and our other programmes, please click here.
Thank you to our Current Playwrights’ Giving Circle for such important investment in Australian writers and their work:
Fitzpatrick Sykes Family Foundation, The Glenholme Foundation, Jane Hansen AO and Paul Little AO, Larry Kamener and Petra Kamener, Susanna Mason, Helen Nicolay, Pimlico Foundation, Tania Seary and Chris Lynch, Craig Semple, Dr Richard Simmie, Andrew Sisson AO and Tracey Sisson, Derek and Caroline Young
Thank you also to our Inaugural Playwrights’ Giving Circle:
Louise Myer and Martyn Myer AO, Maureen Wheeler AO and Tony Wheeler AO, Christine Brown Bequest, Allan Myers AC KC and Maria Myers AC, Tony Burgess and Janine Burgess, Dr Andrew McAliece and Dr Richard Simmie, Larry Kamener and Petra Kamener