2024 RECIPIENTS

We’re thrilled to announce Julia Robertson and Miranda Middleton as the 2024 recipients of the Ensemble Theatre Sandra Bates Director’s Awards.

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS

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.

An exclusive opportunity for theatre-goers and aspiring theatre makers to go behind-the-scenes and see our skilled directors at work. Join a small group for an intimate afternoon to discover how a play is brought to life, and share these exciting insights with your friends.

2024 Season Director at Work sessions – on sale from Tue 15 Aug

THE GREAT DIVIDE with Mark Kilmurry
Thu 15 Feb, 4pm – 5.30pm
+ BOOK TICKETS

UNCLE VANYA with Mark Kilmurry
Tue 2 July, 4pm – 5.30pm
+ BOOK TICKETS

THE HEARTBREAK CHOIR with Anna Ledwich
Thu 7 Nov, 4pm – 5.30pm
+ BOOK TICKETS

$35 per session.

Spaces are limited. For bookings call Box Office on (02) 8918 3400 or book on the links above.

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.

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
Made possible by the Commissioners’ Circle

MCGUFFIN PARK
By Sam O’Sullivan
Commissioned 2023 |Script & Creative Development 2024| Produced 2024
Made possible by 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

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.

2023 Season Q&As

If you’d like to attend a Q&A session, select one of the Q&A dates on the specific show’s ticket page (links included below).

• MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL
  • Fri 15 Dec, 8pm
  • Tue 19 Dec, 11am

2024 Season Q&As

• ALONE IT STANDS
  • Fri 9 Feb, 8pm
  • Tue 13 Feb, 11am

• THE GREAT DIVIDE
  • Fri 22 Mar, 8pm
  • Tue 26 Mar, 11am

• SWITZERLAND
  • Sat 11 May, 8:15pm
  • Tue 21 May, 11am

• ULSTER AMERICAN
  • Sat 25 May, 8.15pm
  • Wed 29 May, 11am

• MASTER CLASS
  • Fri 28 Jun, 8pm
  • Tue 2 Jul, 11am

• UNCLE VANYA
  • Fri 9 Aug, 8pm
  • Tue 13 Aug, 11am

• 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

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.

2023 Season Free Teen Nights

Wed 10 Jan 2024, 7.30pm MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL

2024 Season Free Teen Nights

Wed 28 Feb, 7.30pm ALONE IT STANDS

Wed 24 Apr, 7.30pm THE GREAT DIVIDE

Wed 5 Jun, 6.15pm SWITZERLAND

Wed 29 May, 6.15pm ULSTER AMERICAN

Wed 17 July, 7.30pm MASTER CLASS

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

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.

“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

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

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