About Theatre Works

Theatre Works is one of Australia’s longest-running independent theatres, constantly reinvigorating and reimagining the sector by providing a hotbed for artists and audience development. 

OUR MISSION
Theatre Works fills a vital niche in the Australian cultural landscape as an artistic home and destination for the ambitious, the new and the eminent.

OUR VISION
To be the Australian epicentre of independent theatre and independent theatre makers by investing in, empowering and supporting artists of all experience, identity, background and aspiration to make ambitious works that reflect, redefine or reimagine contemporary Australia and contemporary Australian theatrical practice.
 

Theatre Works champions artists and work that embraces difference and celebrates risk, working to provide a supportive public platform for marginalised conversations and voices. Led by an Executive Director/ Creative Producer, the TW team comprises Production, Marketing and Publicity, Artistic and Creative specialists. Theatre Works Board members are skilled across a relevant matrix of experience. 
 

Our venue size, flexibility and capacity, and our team’s unique skill set is part of what makes Theatre Works so distinctive within the Victorian arts ecology.

 

Since 2017, we have supported 1,014 artists across 73 productions with an increase in audience attendance of 58%. The introduction of new initiatives such as the She Writes program and the revitalising of the Associate Artist program has increased our value to emerging artists, and will continue to do so as we continue to add new development opportunities for artists of all experiences and backgrounds.

 

Our curated annual seasons traverse diverse performance styles and rigorous creative methodologies across all genres, investigating unique perspectives and creative approaches. 

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We couldn’t do what we do without the support of Creative Victoria, the Australia Council for the Arts, the City of Port Phillip, foundations and donors who support our annual seasons.

OUR VALUES

Artists over Art - We believe in creating safe opportunities and environments for artistic and professional development in pursuit of individual artists and companies' own definitions of success. 

 

Empowering Risk - We believe that the future is defined by those who challenge the status quo. As such we partner with companies and artists that push the boundaries of content, form and scale. 

 

Creative Freedom - We get out of the artists' way. 

 

Sustainable Practice - We value the longevity of our organisation, partnerships with artists and their careers, our planet and our art form. We prioritise the mental and fiscal health of our organisation and partnering artists. 

 

Diversity and AntiRacism - We believe in a theatre and a theatre sector that is a true representation of the diverse world in which we live. We actively seek to create opportunities and pathways for marginalised communities.