Development
Ensemble Development is a creative hub where seeds are sown, sparks ignite and creative conversations unfurl. With a focus on artistic development, it is an inclusive program where we explore potential, commission new work, nurture emerging talent and trial works in development, all of which shape the future of Ensemble Theatre.
Ensemble Theatre Sandra Bates Director's Awards
2025 RECIPIENTS
We’re thrilled to announce Anna Houston and Tiffany Wong as the 2025 recipients of the Ensemble Theatre Sandra Bates Director’s Awards.
+ FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE 2025 RECIPIENTS
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS
2024: Julia Robertson and Miranda Middleton
2023: Emma Canalese and Margaret Thanos
2022: Sophie Kelly and Danielle Maas
2021: Rachel Chant, Warwick Doddrell and Ursula Yovich
2020: Rachel Chant and Warwick Doddrell
2019: Adam Deusien and Erin Taylor
2018: Liz Arday and Felicity Nicol
2017: Shaun Rennie and Francesca Savige
2016: Priscilla Jackman and Janine Watson
Supported by Jinnie and Ross Gavin.
Commissions and new play development
Ensemble Theatre aims to give voice to untold stories reflecting Australia’s changing cultural identity, and reinforcing theatre’s relevance as a vehicle for social change. We are committed to commissioning and developing new work, and to ensuring the success of these productions by providing dramaturgical support and creative development.
HOW TO PLOT A HIT IN TWO DAYS
By Melanie Tait
Commissioned 2024 | Script & Creative Development 2024 & 2025 | Produced 2025
This production is made possible by the support of the Commissioners’ Circle.
FLY GIRL
By Genevieve Hegney & Catherine Moore
Commissioned 2024 | Script & Creative Development 2024 & 2025 | Produced 2025
This production is made possible by the support of the Commissioners’ Circle.
UNCLE VANYA
By Anton Chekhov
Adapted by Joanna Murray-Smith
Commissioned by Ensemble’s Literary Fund 2022 | Produced 2024
THE QUEEN’S NANNY
By Melanie Tait
Commissioned 2023 |Script & Creative Development 2024| Produced 2024
This production is made possible by the support of the Commissioners’ Circle.
MCGUFFIN PARK
By Sam O’Sullivan
Commissioned 2023 |Script & Creative Development 2024| Produced 2024
This production is made possible by the support of the Commissioners’ Circle.
SUMMER OF HAROLD
By Hilary Bell
Commissioned 2022 | Script & Creative Development 2023 | Produced 2023
MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL
By Mark Kilmurry and Jamie Oxenbould
Commissioned 2022 | Script & Creative Development 2023 | Produced 2023
A BROADCAST COUP
By Melanie Tait
Commissioned 2019| Script & Creative Development 2019 | Produced 2023
Supported by Jenny & Guy Reynolds AO, and Diana & George Shirling
BOXING DAY BBQ
By Sam O’Sullivan
Commissioned 2021 | Script & Creative Development 2021/2022 | Produced 2022
Supported by Jenny & Guy Reynolds AO
THE ONE
By Vanessa Bates
Commissioned 2019 | Script & Creative Development 2021/2022 | Produced 2022
Supported by Jane Tham & Philip Maxwell & NSW Government
A DOLL’S HOUSE
By Henrik Ibsen
Adapted by Joanna Murray-Smith
Commissioned 2020 | Produced 2022
A LETTER FOR MOLLY
By Brittanie Shipway
Script & Creative Development 2021/2022 | Produced 2022
UNQUALIFIED 2: STILL UNQUALIFIED
By Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore
Commissioned 2019 | Script Development 2019-2022 | Produced 2022
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
By Charles Dickens
Adapted for the stage by Hilary Bell
Commissioned 2019 | Script Development 2020 | Produced 2022
Supported by Charlene & Graham Bradley AM
OUTDATED
By Mark Kilmurry
Commissioned 2019 | Script & Creative Development 2020 | Produced 2021
KILLING KATIE: CONFESSIONS OF A BOOK CLUB
By Tracey Trinder
Play Reading 2018 | Script & Creative Development 2019 | Produced 2021
KENNY
By The Jacobson Brothers
Adapted for the stage by Steve Rodgers
Commissioned 2019 | Script Development 2019 | Produced 2021
BLACK COCKATOO
By Geoffrey Atherden
Play Reading 2015 | Script & Creative Development 2016-19 | Produced 2020
Supported by The Balnaves Foundation, Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government and Sydney Festival.
THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE
By Melanie Tait
Script Development & Creative Development 2018 | Produced 2019
Supported by Jenny & Guy Reynolds
UNQUALIFIED
By Genevieve Hegney & Catherine Moore
Script Development 2018 | Produced 2018
DIPLOMACY
By Cyril Gély
Translation and adaptation by Julie Rose
Commissioned 2017 | Produced 2018
Supported by Jinnie & Ross Gavin
THE PLANT
By Kit Brookman
Ensemble Theatre New Writing Commission 2016 | Produced 2017
Supported by David Williamson
THE BIG DRY
Based on the novel by Tony Davis
Adapted by Mark Kilmurry
Commissioned 2015 | Produced 2016
THE ANZAC PROJECT
By Geoffrey Atherden and Vanessa Bates
Commissioned 2014 | Produced 2015
Rory Potter and Noah Sturzaker in THE BIG DRY. Photo by Clare Hawley
Dig deeper with a post-show Q&A
Ever wondered how the cast learn so many lines? Or what really resonates about the play with the director? Join us at one of our post-show Q&A sessions for an engaging conversation about the play. Simply purchase tickets to a Q&A performance and stay in your seats after the show.
2024 Season Q&As
- THE QUEEN’S NANNY
- Sat 14 Sep, 8.15pm
- Tue 24 Sep, 11am
- COLDER THAN HERE
- Thu 26 Sep, 11am
- Thu 3 Oct, 8.15pm
- MCGUFFIN PARK
- Tue 5 Nov, 11am
- Fri 15 Nov, 8pm
- THE HEARTBREAK CHOIR
- Fri 13 Dec, 8pm
- Tue 17 Dec, 11am
2025 Season Q&As
- ARIA
- Tue 11 Feb, 11am
- Tue 25 Feb, 7:30pm
- THE GLASS MENAGERIE
- Fri 4 Apr, 7:30pm
- Tue 8 Apr, 11am
- THE LOVER & THE DUMB WAITER
- Fri 16 May, 7:30pm
- Thu 22 May, 11am
- THE HALF-LIFE OF MARIE CURIE
- Sat 21 June, 8:15pm
- Tue 1 July, 11am
- PRIMARY TRUST
- Thu 3 July, 11am
- Thu 10 July, 8:15pm
- EMERALD CITY
- Fri 1 Aug, 7:30pm
- Tue 5 Aug, 11am
- HOW TO PLOT A HIT IN TWO DAYS
- Fri 5 Sep, 7:30pm
- Tue 16 Sep, 11am
- TRUE WEST
- Thu 18 Sep, 11am
- Thu 25 Sep, 8:15pm
- FLY GIRL
- Tue 4 Nov, 11am
- Fri 14 Nov, 7:30pm
- DIAL M FOR MURDER
- Fri 12 Dec, 7:30pm
- Tue 16 Dec, 11am
Share your love of theatre with a teen
Introduce theatre to the teenager in your life with a free ticket to join you on one of our Free Teen Nights. These are subject to availability and can be booked alongside one adult subscription or single ticket.
2024 Season Free Teen Nights
Wed 28 Aug, 7.30pm UNCLE VANYA
Wed 9 Oct, 6.15pm THE QUEEN’S NANNY
Wed 2 Oct, 6.15pm COLDER THAN HERE
Wed 20 Nov, 7.30pm MCGUFFIN PARK
Wed 8 Jan, 7.30pm THE HEARTBREAK CHOIR
2025 Season Free Teen Nights
Wed 12 Mar 7:30pm ARIA
Wed 23 Apr 7:30pm THE GLASS MENAGERIE
Wed 4 Jun 7:30pm THE LOVER & THE DUMB WAITER
Wed 9 Jul 8:15pm THE HALF-LIFE OF MARIE CURIE
Wed 9 July 6:15pm PRIMARY TRUST
Wed 20 Aug 7:30pm EMERALD CITY
Wed 8 Oct 6:15pm HOW TO PLOT A HIT IN TWO DAYS
Wed 1 Oct 8:15pm TRUE WEST
Wed 19 Nov 7:30pm FLY GIRL
Wed 7 Jan 2026 7:30pm DIAL M FOR MURDER
Ensemble Theatre also supports PLAYWAVE, a program aimed at connecting 15 – 19 year olds with the arts. Along with discounted tickets to our shows, members of PLAYWAVE can access an array of special events and offers across art forms. See playwave.com.au for details.
Tracey Trinder Playwright's Award
“The Tracey Trinder Playwright’s Award encourages women writers with a slant on comedy. Tracey was a stage and screenwriter and had a unique voice in the world of comedy. This award honours her name and her commitment to women’s writing.” Mark Kilmurry, Artistic Director, Ensemble Theatre.
The Tracey Trinder Playwright’s Award recognises an outstanding unproduced comedy written by a woman playwright including a trans and/or gender-diverse playwright.
The award consists of $7,500 prize, a development workshop, and an opportunity for the work to go into full production as part of an upcoming Ensemble Theatre season.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
ENSEMBLE THEATRE ON TOUR
CURRENT TOURS
THE QUEEN’S NANNY
By Melanie Tait
Produced 2024
Touring to Illawarra Performing Arts Centre presented by Merrigong Theatre Company
16 – 19 Oct
Click here for more details
PAST TOURS
David Williamson’s
THE GREAT DIVIDE
Produced 2024 | Toured in 2024 to The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre Sutherland
BLACK COCKATOO
By Geoffrey Atherden
Produced 2020 | Toured in 2022 to 24 venues nationwide
Supported by The Balnaves Foundation, Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government and Arts on Tour
THE APPLETON LADIES’ POTATO RACE
By Melanie Tait
Produced 2019 | Toured 2021 to 13 venues across NSW & ACT
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour and Jenny & Guy Reynolds AO
DIPLOMACY
By Cyril Gély
Translation and adaptation by Julie Rose
Produced 2018 | Toured 2019 to 6 venues across NSW and Victoria
Supported by NSW Government, Arts on Tour, Jinnie & Ross Gavin
TWO
By Jim Cartwright
Produced 2017 | Toured 2019 to 25 venues nationwide
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour
FRANKENSTEIN
By Mary Shelley
Adapted by Nick Dear
Produced 2013 | Toured 2013 to 26 venues nationwide
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour
TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
By Mitch Albom
Produced 2009 | Toured 2011 to 24 venues nationwide
Drover Award for Touring Excellence
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour
SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS
By Richard Alfieri
Produced 2006 | Toured 2007 to 20 venues nationwide
Helpmann Award for Best Regional Touring Production
Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, NSW Government, Arts on Tour