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.
We’re inviting fellow arts industry professionals to join our membership initiative and experience theatre for less.
Ensemble Industry Insiders can access $25 tickets to the first preview of each show, and $46 tickets to all other 2026 main-stage production performances.
We’ll also keep you up-to-date with exclusive offers and industry opportunities.
Membership is free and lasts for 2 years.
Applications for the 2027 Ensemble Theatre Sandra Bates Director’s Award are now open.
Two successful applicants will each be offered a paid position of Assistant Director working with different directors on two of Ensemble Theatre’s mainstage productions in 2027.
Submissions close midnight Sunday 20 September.
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS
2026: Jules Billington and Jessica Fallico
2025: Tiffany Wong and Anna Houston
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.
In partnership with Currency Press, you can now own a piece of our World Premiere seasons — the perfect keepsake for theatre lovers!
Discover more about the plays at our insightful audience events.
As part of a small group observe our skilled directors at work in the rehearsal room and witness a production come to life.
2027
SPLIT ENDS with Liesel Badorrek
Date: Thu 11 Mar
Time: 4pm – 5pm
MONEY AND FRIENDS with Lee Lewis
Date: Thu 1 Jul
Time: 4pm – 5pm
FALLEN ANGELS with Mark Kilmurry
Date: Thu 23 Sep
Time: 4pm – 5pm
Full price $35
Students $25
Spaces are limited. To book please call the Box Office 02 8918 3400.
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.
2026
- Fri 14 Aug 7.30pm
- Tue 3 Sept 11am
- Thu 1 Oct 11am
- Thu 8 Oct 8.15pm
- Thu 8 Oct 11am
- Thu 15 Oct 8.15pm
- Tue 17 Nov 11am
- Fri 20 Nov 7.30pm
MIDNIGHT MURDER ON THE CHRISTMAS CRUISE OF DEATH
- Fri 11 Dec 7.30pm
- Tue 15 Dec 11am
2027
- Thu 4 Feb 11am
- Fri 19 Feb 7.30pm
- Wed 31 Mar 8.15pm
- Wed 7 Apr 11am
- Wed 7 Apr 8.15pm
- Wed 14 Apr 11am
- Tue 25 May 11am
- Fri 28 May 7.30pm
- Thu 24 Jun 11am
- Fri 2 Jul 7.30pm
- Fri 30 Jul 7.30pm
- Thu 12 Aug 11am
- Thu 9 Sep 11am
- Thu 16 Sep 8.15pm
- Thu 16 Sep 11am
- Thu 23 Sep 8.15pm
- Fri 29 Oct 7.30pm
- Tue 2 Nov 11am
- Tue 7 Dec 11am
- Fri 17 Dec 7.30pm
Thanks to Vision Australia, we provide a complimentary audio description service for our patrons. A live commentary, by trained describers, is relayed via a headset linked to our audio system.
Audio described performances are marked as AD in the performance calendar. These can be booked online, but to reserve a headset please email boxoffice@ensemble.com.au or call (02) 8918 3400.
2026
- Thu 27 Aug 11am
- Sat 29 Aug 3pm
- Tue 6 Oct 11am
- Sat 10 Oct 1.30pm
- Thu 15 Oct 11am
- Sat 17 Oct 4.30pm
- Thu 12 Nov 11am
- Sat 14 Nov 3pm
MIDNIGHT MURDER ON THE CHRISTMAS CRUISE OF DEATH
- Thu 7 Jan 11am
- Sat 9 Jan 3pm
2027
- Tue 16 Feb 11am
- Sat 20 Feb 3pm
- Wed 7 Apr 11am
- Sat 10 Apr 6.15pm
- Sun 18 Apr 5pm
- Thu 13 May 11am
- Sat 15 May 7.30pm
- Thu 1 Jul 11am
- Sat 3 Jul 3pm
- Thu 5 Aug 11am
- Sat 7 Aug 3pm
- Tue 14 Sep 11am
- Sat 18 Sep 1.30pm
- Wed 22 Sep 6.15pm
- Sat 25 Sep 4.30pm
- Thu 28 Oct 11am
- Sat 30 Oct 3pm
- Thu 16 Dec 11am
- Sat 18 Dec 3pm
The Tracey Trinder Playwright’s Award supports and celebrates women writers, with a particular emphasis on comedy. Tracey Trinder, known to Ensemble audiences for her acclaimed play KILLING KATIE: CONFESSIONS OF A BOOK CLUB, was a stage and screenwriter with a unique voice in the world of comedy. This award was established by Tracey’s friends to honour her legacy and her commitment to fostering women’s writing.
Ensemble Theatre is delighted to announce that Melanie Tait has been awarded The Tracey Trinder Playwright’s Award for the development of her 2025 play HOW TO PLOT A HIT IN TWO DAYS.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
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.
BOMBSHELLS
By Joanna Murray-Smith
Commissioned 2026
This production is made possible by the support of the Commissioners’ Circle.
SPLIT ENDS
By Brittanie Shipway
Commissioned 2026 | Script & Creative Development 2026
This production is made possible by the support of the Commissioners’ Circle.
THE ELEVATOR
By Eloise Snape
Commissioned 2025 | Script & Creative Development 2025 & 2026 | Produced 2026
This production is made possible by the support of the Commissioners’ Circle.
THE YEAR IN TATTERS
A REVUE
By Andrew Hansen, Mark Humphries, Chris Taylor & Evan Williams
Commissioned 2025 | Script & Creative Development 2026 | Produced 2026
MIDNIGHT MURDER ON THE CHRISTMAS CRUISE OF DEATH
By Mark Kilmurry & Jamie Oxenbould
Commissioned 2025 | Script & Creative Development 2025 & 2026 | Produced 2026
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
CURRENT TOURS
THE QUEEN’S NANNY
By Melanie Tait
Produced 2024 | Touring 2025
Click below for a full list of dates and venues.
PAST TOURS
THE QUEEN’S NANNY
By Melanie Tait
Produced 2024 |Toured in 2024 to Illawarra Performing Arts Centre presented by Merrigong Theatre Company | Toured in 2025 to 12 venues interstate
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